…To Work For Accelerated Devt
Delta North traditional rulers attended an enlarged reconciliatory meeting of all monarchs in the nine local government areas of Delta North held at the Palace of the Obi of Owa Kingdom, HRM Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, and resolved to forge a united front against insecurity, including kidnapping and other criminal activities in their respective domains and across Delta State.
They also resolved to put aside their differences and work for the accelerated development of the state and Delta North in particular.
The royal fathers expressed concern over the incessant cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and killing of citizens in the different communities, stressing that it required that the traditional rulers come together and work with the security agencies and government at different levels in tackling the menace.
In his welcome address, the host and Chairman, Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, stressed the need for the royal fathers to do away with whatever differences that might be militating against their unity as royal fathers and custodian of the tradition and collective interest of the people.
He noted that unity in the body of traditional rulers in Delta North was invaluable if the burning issues affecting their respective communities are to be properly addressed for the desired peace and sustainable development of the area.
Obi Efeizomor charged the royal fathers to forgive one another, make needed sacrifices and to speak with one voice on issues of common interest towards the development of the people and communities.
He reminded the members that their positions as traditional rulers would be greatly challenged if they failed to mend fences, become their brothers’ keeper as they fight for relevance in the scheme of things, especially at a time an illustrious son of the area was no longer the chief executive officer of the state.
“The truth is that we are in danger. We are in danger, and yet we are not united. We need to make sacrifices and move forward.
“My prayer is that we’ll put behind us what is happening today. Our people are in grave danger; they’re dehumanizing our people. They’re killing our people. Please let’s put behind our differences and be our brothers’ keeper. Let’s reorganize, and we’ll be at peace with ourselves”, Efeizomor observed.
In his remarks, the Obi of Ubulu-Unor, HRM Dr Henry Kikachukwu I, who is the Second Vice-Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, stessed that no sacrifice was too much to make to ensure the unity of the forum, adding that “The sky is too wide for two birds to collide.”
Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, while expressing his appreciation for the privilege to sit in the midst of the respected traditional rulers, urged them to unite and rise above partisanship as leaders who politicians should look up to as dependable guide in matters of good governance and development.
He harped on the need for sacrifice by individual members so that no external forces can break into their ranks and undermine the integrity of the royal forum in the manner of partisan politics.
The Obi of Abavo, HRM Uche Irenuma II, commended the immediate past governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for his role in engendering the spirit of togetherness in the fold of Delta North traditional rulers, and thereby promoting good progress in the senatorial district of the state.
He said that the forum should reciprocate Dr Okowa’s immense contribution to the unity and continued growth of the organization by standing behind him through thick and thin in the overall interest of Delta North.
The Abavo monarch emphasized the need for fairness and equity in the sharing of principal offices amongst the nine local government areas of the district in the true spirit of reconciliation and admonished the royal fathers to make sacrifices in order to accommodate the different interest groups and make the forum stronger and more formidable in its effort to tackle the challenges ahead.
Highpoint of the royal reconciliatory meeting at Owa in Ika North-East Local Government Area was the appointment of interim officers, reflecting a wider spread across the area, to pilot the affairs of the traditional rulers forum for at least three months.
Meanwhile the Delta North Traditional Rulers Fórum has elected interim executive to pilot the affairs of the forum for three months before a substantive leadership will be elected.
Those elected are Obi of Owa, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11, OON, Chairman: Obi of Ubulu -Unor Agbogidi Henry Kikachukwu 1, 1st Vice Chairman; Ezie of Ezionum, 2nd Vice Chairman; Obi of Abavo , Uche Irenuma 11 , Welfare Officer; Obi of Umunede, Agadagidi Ezeagwu Ezeweali 1, Assistant Treasurer, while the Obi of Issele – Uku is the Assistant Financial Secretary
Other officers elected include the Akor of Oko Anala kingdom, Financial Secretary; Obi of Akumanzi, Henry Jegbefume, Public Relations Officer (1); Obi of Atuma – Iga, Daniel Ugbodu, Secretary; Obi of Idumuje – Unor, Obi Charles Anyasi 111, Assistant Secretary, while the Obi of Ukala, Clement Ifeanyinachukwu Ejiofor is the Public Relations Officer.
Under the Interim leadership arrangement, the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge holds the position of Legal Consultant, the Ukwata of Umukuata, Friday Abaja, Humanitarian Services Consultant, while the Ebu of Umuebu, is the Consultant, Government Interface.
Also elected is the Obi of Onicha – Ugbo, Victor Chukwuyemeze who will serve as Treasurer to the Forum.
