DELTA State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged the people of Igbide community to put aside their differences and work together to build a better kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The governor gave the charge during the presentation of the Staff of office to the traditional ruler of Igbide, HRM Patrick Okpomor, Agre I, the Ovie of Igbide Kingdom,at Eru primary school, Igbide.
Speaking, the governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme said, “Leadership thrive on collective support and your cooperation is vital to achieving the shared aspiration of this kingdom.
“To those who contested for the throne, let is put aside our differences and work together to build a greater Igbide kingdom
“Igbide Kingdom, nestled in the heart of Isoko South Local Government Area, is a land rich in culture, tradition and resilience and it operates a time-honoured rotational system of rulership, which has ensured stability and fairness in the succession process.
Today’s ceremony marks the culmination of that sacred process, as Prince Patrick Okpomor, Agre I, ascends the throne succeeding His Royal Majesty Edward Obukeni I as this seamless transition is a testament to the strength and unity of the Igbide people.
“I am confident that your vision to restore peace, unity and development in Igbide Kingdom, will inspire transformative progress.
“To the Igbide traditional Council, Chiefs, Ogbedios, Iletus, women, youths, and the entire community, I urge you to rally round your new Ovie.
“Leadership thrives on collective support and your cooperation is vital to achieving the shared aspirations of this kingdom.
“I am aware of the challenges you face, the recurrent flooding and erosion that have devastated farmlands, homes and livelihoods in Igbide Kingdom and the annual loss of harvests and the submersion of properties
“As we celebrate this historic moment, let us rededicate ourselves to the service and unity of Igbide Kingdom, let us eschew rancour and embrace collaboration, for it is in unity that we find strength.
“Your Royal Majesty, as you take on this mantle of leadership, know that the government of Delta State stands with you. We will partner with you to foster peace, development, and prosperity in Igbide Kingdom and beyond.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I extend my sincere congratulations to Your Royal Majesty on your ascension to the revered throne of your forefathers. This is a day of celebration, unity and fresh hope for the people of Igbide Kingdom.”
On his part, the president general of Igbide community, Ven Augustine Ovie while congratulating the Ovie of Igbide said, “Today is the day the people of Igbide bothe the ancestors, the living have been expecting for the restoration of a new era and the Ovie happened to be installed at my time as the president general of Igbide Clan when everything is becoming anew.
“All this while we have been asking all and sundry to come together, because there is time to be a contest but then within the contest, there is the expectation that one must emerge the winner and it is a case of no winner no vanquish but now that we have gotten a king, the aggrieved should agree to the reconciliation process.
“The king has an opening heart, and hand to embrace all factions because now he is the father of all and now that the expectations of Igbide people have been met, I sue for peace.
Earlier in his welcome address on behalf of the Igbide community, Mr Felix ‘Mamode Akugha appealed for the cooperation of Igbide people to build a greater Igbide kingdom as the land is the only place we can all truly call home as we don’t have any home than other than Igbide.
While calling on the Delta State government for assistance over the annual flooding he said, “I appeal for the approval of the palliative measures of the dredging of the Urie lake in the kingdom and a shoreline protection.
“We want to also call for the rehabilitation and reconstruction the of Igbide/ Emede road and the rehabilitation of other road networks around Igbide Kingdom.”
