IN a bold move to strengthen institutions of the Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe I, the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, has suspended the Chief Priest of the annual Odjema festival, the Akeke of Ewu kingdom, Enegobru Omorudje indefinitely.
The suspension was as a result of the Akeke’s instigation of disunity amongst the priests and people of Ewu in his quest to frustrate the celebration of the upcoming Odjema Festival in Ewu Kingdom.
Furthermore, King Ikolo has dissolved the Kingdom’s Marriage Committee and installed a new Women Leader, Mrs. Oghenemine Ikuku, as the Okobaro-Ewheya of Ewu-Urhobo.
The dissolution and constitution of the new Marriage Committee was part of the monarch’s efforts to revitalize the kingdom’s institutions and ensure their effectiveness.
The suspended Akeke’s actions had caused a rift among the priests of the Odjema festival of Ewu Kingdom who accused him of high-handedness, partisanship and disregard for law and order thereby leading to disunity amongst them.
The newly installed Okobaro-Ewheya, Mrs. Ikuku, whose selection was the outcome of wide consultation with the women groups of the Kingdom, has pledged to work tirelessly to mobilize the women of the kingdom and ensure their active participation in the quest to ensure the speedy development of Ewu Kingdom.
Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to harness the potential of women in the kingdom’s development.
As the kingdom prepares for the annual Odjema Festival, King Ikolo’s actions are regarded by illustrious sons and daughters of Ewu kingdom as a demonstration of his commitment to upholding tradition while embracing progress and reforms.
