THE apex ruling body in Okpanam kingdom, the Ugoani- in- Council, has given approval for the celebration of Okpanam Day as proposed by Mr. Robert Ogonenwe, the President of Okpanam Community Department Union (OCDU).
Ugoani-in-Council gave the approval at its recent meeting held at the Ugoani palace. Although the Council frowned at the flaws noticed during the previous celebration, it however advised that efforts should be made to ensure the success of the forthcoming edition of Okpanam Day celebration.
The Council after due consideration confirmed the following persons as members of the steering committee for the Okpanam day celebration. They includes; Hon. Innocent Uchibolu, Chairman, Mr. Chinedu Nwayalani, Secretary, Mr. Lucky Okolo, Hon. Nkem Nwankwo, Mrs. Asiabodu, Mr. IfeanyiOzoh, Mr. William Amadi( representing Lagos branch) and Mr. John Chukwuedo( representing Warri branch) as Ex- Officio members.
In the quest to improve the security situation in the community, the council after a thorough review of the scourge of insecurity in the country, urged the Monarch and the palace to strengthen and empower the security committee to re-strategize on how to improve the efficiency of Okpanam Vigilante Corps and the Anti- Cult Volunteer group.
Further resolutions of the Council was the imposition of fines on some persons for violating the rules guiding the taking of Alor title in Okpanam. The Council frowned at the taking of pseudo Alor title ( Alor Mpuko) by Mr. Philip Obiogwu of Umuomake village and consequently fined him the sum of N1million and one she goat.
Others who were fined for partaking in Mr. Obiogwu’s pseudo Alor installation against the laid down rules in Okpanam are Ogbueshi David Isitua, Ogbueshi Amaechi Sita, Ogbueshi Aniagwu Okolie and others. They were each fined N500,000 and one she goat.
The apex ruling body in Okpanam, also charge the traditional/ customary matters committee to lease with stakeholders to earmark a date and time for visiting the community central deity( Ishu- Ani) to place curse on persons impeding the progress of the kingdom.
