THE fifth Ugoani-In-Council in Okapanam Kingdom, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has been dissolved, with appreciation to its members for their commitment to duty, and promotion of peace, progress and unity.
Dissolving the Council at the Ugoani-In-Council meeting, the Ugoani of Okpanam, HRM (Dr) Micheal Ogbolu expressed joy that during the tenure of the fifth Ugoani-In-Council, Okpanam Kingdom witnessed remarkable socio-economic and infrastructural transformation, thus becoming a metropolitan community.
“You have done exceedingly well, and I crave your unalloyed cooperation to come forward whenever you are called upon to serve the good people of Okpanam in any capacity”, the Ugoani added.
On the security situation of Okpanam, the Ugoani said, “The truth must be told that the paraphernalia for the effective security of the kingdom is obsolete and needs retooling and refurbishment. We cannot afford to toy with security matters”.
The monarch, therefore, recommended that a committee should be constituted to raise funds to the tune of N40m to rejig the security architecture of the Kingdom.
To this end, the monarch moved that, “Ndi Nkpalor”, all supermarkets, transporters, including “keke riders” and public-spirited individuals should contribute to the venture, as there will be no exception.
To show how serious the security situation in Okpanam is, the Ugoani disclosed, “We witnessed two cases of kidnaping at Amachai Quarters in the past three weeks, even though information relating to the release of the victims was still sketchy.
“Aside from this, Umegbali Primary School is witnessing persistent burglary incidence by daredevil robbers, so much so that the night watchman had to abandon his job for fear of being killed, resulting in the palace of the Ugoani approving a monthly stipend of N50,000 to Okpanam Vigilante Volunteer Corps to assist in safeguarding the school and its environs’’.
The session of the meeting ended with the setting up of a five-man Security Committee that would ensure the beefing up of security in Okpanam and the modalities for raising the N40m security fund.
The members are: Chief Wisdom Meddom (Olike-Eze of Okpanam), Ogbueshi Patrick Obienyi, Ogbueshi Agiliga Nwanze, Ogbueshi Patrick Igbonoba and Ogbueshi Dana Mokogwu.
