For the people of Owa kingdom in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, Saturday September 14th, 2024, has a date in history that will be too hard to forget. It is a day set aside by people of the kingdom to mark/celebrate His Royal Majesty (HRM), Dr. Emmanuel Oyinke Efeizomor 11, Obi of Owa Kingdom, 65th year on the throne.
Aside from this royal milestone by the very respected Royal Majesty, there are indeed very red-letter reasons as to why the people of the kingdom are ecstatic about the celebration for those unaware, Dr. Emmanuel Oyinke Efeizomor 11, Obi of Owa Kingdom, is first class traditional ruler within and outside the state with dignifying characterization.
Analysts believe that the ecstatic atmosphere heralding the celebration of these 65 years of eventful and fruitful anniversary was not a miscalculation but borne out of sincere evaluation of the period under review and the blessings it has visited on the kingdom and its people. The king is comfortably described by commentators as a man of many parts and a shining star of traditional institutions.
To many of his subjects, the royal majesty, has through persistent actions and love for his people confirmed as true the age long belief that followers may doubt what their leaders say, but will always believe what they do. He has over the years demonstrated clearly that though sympathy and empathy are two critical ingredients of leadership. It is always more rewarding to the followers when a leader is filled with more empathy than sympathy.
Away from empathy and sympathy, another reason for the celebration of this great king who was Crowned on the 6th day of September, 1959 as the 17th Obi of Owa kingdom, has to do with his love for education for his self, immediate family and subjects, particularly the youth of the kingdom.
Beginning with His Royal Majesty’s unappareled pursuit of education and knowledge, reports have it that he studied in Sapele, Port-Harcourt, Ibadan, Britain and the United States of America (USA). His exposure and experience equipped him with a clear vision and mission to transform Owa into a kingdom of civilized people and modernized structure.
Also, in a well-crafted piece written by Prince Victor Efeizomor, of HRM , Dr. Emmanuel Oyinke Efeizomor 11, Obi of Owa Kingdom, and published by the ThisDay Newspaper a while ago, it underlined that as a result of His Royal Majesty’s wealth of knowledge acquired through aggressive reading and learning, Efeizomor II put in place a formidable administrative structure that attracted followership, noting that he endeared himself to well-meaning people by working diligently on whatever assignment was given to him.
According to Prince Victor who was a Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the Former Governor of Delta state, Senator {Dr} Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr. Emmanuel Oyinke Efeizomor 11, Obi of Owa Kingdom, commitment to the cause of his people, his determination and perseverance to succeed, his democratic leadership style, his advocacy for gender equality, and his intellectual prowess are all worthy of emulation.
While describing his father as a monarch of towering stature, Prince Victor noted that the revered Monarch is one of the most accomplished traditional rulers in Nigeria. ‘’His achievements during the past fifty years in office are a testimony to his ability to adapt to ever changing social, economic and political situations. He is an icon of compassionate fatherhood whose values would continue to be a good reference point. His achievements can be seen in the educational development of himself and his subjects, mobilization of Owa communities for self help and community development, and active support for the government to develop the Owa Kingdom’’.
On Dr. Emmanuel Oyinke Efeizomor 11’s efforts on in communal living and contributions towards the development of other kingdoms and communities, Prince Victor in his work succulently captures it this way; Efeizomor II formed, revived, mobilized and supported several community organizations of Ndiowa. Notable among these are Owa Patriotic Union, Owa Development Committee, Owa Youths Association and Boji-Boji Owa Community Development Committee.
‘’He is a believer in the developmental philosophy of “heaven helps those who help themselves” By his self help approach many roads, markets etc., were built and expanded. He ensured that educational facilities were made available in his domain. Thus in collaboration with the Christian missions and government; the following secondary schools were founded; Ika Grammar School, Boji-Boji Owa in 1960, Owa Grammar School, Owa-Oyibu in 1979, Owa-Alero Secondary / Commercial School, Owa-Alero in 1979, Owanta Grammar School, Owanta in 1980, Owa-Alizomor Grammar School, and Owa-Alizomor in 1980. He gave active support to the establishment of Calvary Polytechnic, Owa-Oyibu and he is currently a visitor to the polytechnic’’.
He added that right from the time of his coronation in 1959, successive governments and other well-meaning organisations have never failed to acknowledge Efeizomor’s immense contributions towards the peace, unity and development of Owa kingdom and beyond.
It was also factually backed that His Royal Majesty as part of his contribution to the public service, was a member, Western Regional House of Chiefs 1960 to 1963, member, Mid-West Region leaders of thought during the civil war, member Delta State Government delegation to several Northern State of Nigeria 1971 to date, member Bendel State Traditional Rulers Council 1967 to 1991; Director, Nigeria Cocoa Board 1979, Managing Director, Toprest (Nigeria) Limited, Insurance Brokers and firm of Building Contractor 1976, member Governing Council, Institute of Journalism, Benin City 1988 to 1990, Representative on WAEC State committee 1996 to 2004 and member, Committee on misuse of title, Delta State 2000 to 2006 among others’’.
In like manner, he was at a time; Chairman Ika and Asaba Divisional Income Tax Review tribunal 1961, Chairman panel on ways of improving/increasing government Tax collection in Ika Division; Chairman Ika Divisional Education Board 1973 to 1975, Chairman National Freedom from Hunger Campaign Bendel State 1974 to 1976, Chairman State Advisory Committee on Education for Citizenship 1977, Chairman Land Use Allocation Advisory Committee in Ika Local Government Area; Chairman Police Community Relations Committee 1985, Chairman Zonal Police Public Relations Committee, Ika, Ndokwa, Aniocha and Oshimili Local Government Areas 1987 to 1992; Chairman EPI, ORT implementation committee Ika Local Government area 1987, Chairman Ika MAMSER implementation committee 1987 to 1992, Chairman Committee on Land Dispute in Gbariagolor, Alidinma Scheme 1977 and Vice Chairman Presidential Panel on Warri Crisis 2003 among others.
Expectedly, as a reward for good works, His Royal Majesty was at different times and places bestowed with the following awards, namely; Grand Patron of Owa Patriotic Union 1959 to date, Patron of Bendel East Cultural Association 1988, patron Izu Umunna Cultural Association of Nigeria, Jos, 1989, Grand Patron, English and Literary Students Association, Edo State University (now Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma) 1990 to 2003; Grand Patron, the Institute of Farmers of Nigeria 1994; Life Patron, Ika Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MPAN); Fellow, the Institute of Farmers of Nigeria Ibadan 1994; National Patron, National Traders and Market Leaders Council of Nigeria 2001 to date, Merit.
Others include; Award for Examination Ethics by Ministry of Education of Delta State 2004, Millennium Excellence Award by front line news media Lagos as the most worthy traditional ruler for the year 2003. In recognition of his contributions to the social-economic development of Nigeria 2004. Obi Efeizomor II was listed in Africa year Book “Who is Who” in 1977. Doctorate Degree in Education by the City University, Los Angeles, California, USA-7th April 1990. Fellow, Institute of Administration Management of Nigeria (FIAMN),Lagos -1992. Conferred with a National honour award of Officer of the Order of the Niger(OON)-2008. Fellow, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja on 28th November, 2017.
In Delta State, His Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Efeizomor II to the admiration of all the following positions; past Chairman of Delta State Interim Advisory Committee of Traditional Rulers (2002-2006). Vice–Chairman, Presidential Panel on Warri Crisis, 2003.Member of the Project Steering Committee for the Establishment of Multi-Door Court House in Delta State, 2011.
First Vice–Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, 2012-2015. Member, Governing Council of the Delta State Multi-Door Courthouse. He is the current Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Literary Works
His Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Efeizomor II, has reportedly authored the following publications; Community Development on Owa Kingdom: The Nigerian Factor -1994. Perspectives on Owa Kingship and Kingdom -2004. Patterns of Growth and Development in Owa Kingdom -2004.
No doubt, Dr. Obi Efeizomor 11 has contributed over 65 years to building humanity in no small measure and committed to socio- economic, political and traditional institutions’’.
