The Olu of Warri, Ikenwoli, at the weekend, constituted the Warri Kingdom’s Advisory Council, selecting an array of Itsekiri noble and intelligentsia, including Prof Itse Sagay (SAN).
The council, consisting of 25 members, also include the Ojomo of Warri, Chief Yahya Pessu, the Ikeri of Warri, Chief Isaac Jemide and the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, Chief Brown Mene.
Other members are the renowned Itsekiri historian and leader of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT), Pa J.O.S Ayomike, the Akulagba of Warri kingdom and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ayirimi Emami, Itsekiri Women Leader and Niger Delta activist Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor.
Former Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Charles Ajuyah (SAN) also made the list. The council is expected to fashion out the way forward for the development of Warri Kingdom.
Residents of Effurun, Ekpan and other communities in Uvwie Local government area of Delta state are living in fears as armed gangs unleash mayhem on residents and business owners in the area.
Our investigations revealed that no fewer than 10 persons have been killed and over 100 wounded since the beginning of the year. Properties worth several millions of naira, including Shoprite and other shops in the Delta Mall, have either being destroyed or looted.
Distressed residents slammed the perceived nonchalant attitude of the state government, led by Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for the mindless killings, robberies, abductions and breach of the peace in Uvwie and environs.
“The governor seems to have ceded Uvwie to armed gangs, while residents live in perpetual fear, sleep and wake up to the sound of gunfire and flying bullets,” one resident lamented.
Reports that could not be independently confirmed indicated that at least three persons were killed on Thursday morning in a renewed bedlam in the restive area.
A victim of the Thursday’s mayhem, Mr Olatuden Daniel, stated: “I don’t know what Delta state government is doing about this high level (of) insecurity especially Uvwie LGA, Ekpan and Jakpa in particular.
“I almost got killed by spraying (flying) bullet early this (Thursday) morning on my way to office because of youth wahala (restiveness). A responsible government shouldn’t fold its arms and allow youths to take over the government.
“This has been on for a month now and I hope Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa will wake up to his responsibility. Up to this moment (1.20pm) from 5am there is still gunshot everywhere. No security.”
Hundreds of persons on their way to their legitimate business were trapped in another bloody shootout around the Ekpan area of the community in the latest fracas.
The latest spate of violence in Ekpan and other parts of Uvwie was triggered by battle for the control of motor parks in the area and its subsequent face-off between the council chairman, Chief Baro Henry and the state governor.
The face-off led to the suspension of the embattled governor and his replacement with an interim chair.
Sources said the interplay of forces working for Baro’s return and those bent on perpetrating the current occupant on the seat is responsible for the breakdown of law and order in the council.
“There are those working hard to demonise Baro in order to ensure that he does not return and there are those working to ensure that the council becomes ungovernable if the elected chairman is not allowed to return to his seat,” a source who spoke on condition of anonymity added.
To those not familiar with the city named Warri, Delta State, it once served as the colonial capital of the then Warri Province. Today, Warri is described as an oil hub in the Southern Senatorial District of Delta State. Warri used to be a small powerful commercial centre with surrounding towns like Effurun, Ekpan, Ubeji, Edjeba, Ogunu, Aladja, Enerhen, Ugbuwangwe to mention but a few. Though all these towns mentioned above and others are now referred to as Warri for ease of reference, but they still maintain their political autonomy.
The oil cities of the World I know, some of which I have been privileged to visit, are Texas in the United States, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Perth, Jakarta, Singapore, Dubai, Calgary etc. etc. The level of development, the network of roads, and the states of the arts infrastructure in these cities are better imagined.
The Warri some of us used to know was a bubbling commercial city where all the Riverine communities from, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ilaje and others from Isoko, Ibo, Hausa and Urhobo used to converge. There was a waterway linking Effurun, running through Agaga layout behind Enerhen Junction down to Deco road, Lower Erejuwa road, through Macro road and Warri prisons into Warri River.
If the above mentioned waterway had been well channeled and maintained, it would have been one great source of transportation that traders and others would have used to ferry their goods and wares from the hinter-land down to Warri metropolis. In some other cities of the world, such routes are usually a beauty to behold. The Thames River in London and the artificial river channels in Dubai are typical examples of such routes that were developed to an attractive level and tourists hot spots.
There was a road behind the Main Market then known as Hausa road, from the Market road end down to Hausa road where there were structures that provided accommodation for people, besides warehouses like the UAC, Hotels, stores like the Odibo trading stores, Kay Challarams, etcetera. All these were bubbling with different commercial activities to the delight of all. The boats and canoes owned by persons from the Riverine Communities berthed along the river bank. The Stores on this stretch displayed goods like provisions, and hard ware’s like roofing sheets, nails, bucket, umbrellas, shoes, doors, and iron – rods for construction etc. A stranger may want to know what then happened to all of these.
The Itsekiri / Ijaw politics over the ownership of Warri led to the dismantling of all the structures along the Hausa road end. The place eventually became a Sand Beach and a home for lunatics and hoodlums.
This piece is not intended to look into the bitter and unnecessary rivalry between the different ethnic nationalities in Warri. Instead the intention is to focus on the rot and decay in the infrastructure and the total collapse of what was in place then and the absence of a good developmental plan for a place that should be regarded as one of the best cities in today’s Nigeria. If Warri could not measure height with Lagos in terms of infrastructure, one expects that at least Warri should be better than Calabar and Uyo as an oil city.
In a revealing article titled ‘’A Postcard From Warri’’ published in The Guardian of October 27, 2000, ace Journalist and former Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, depicted the sorry state of Warri as follows: ‘’Warri is a haggard old lady, with tired feet and a mouth that has been robbed of its teeth. She looks as used as an over-experienced prostitute. The neighborhoods were crowded. The whole scene seems indescribable: humanity trapped in small spaces with threats of poverty and discontent written on their faces and over the environment’’.
That was the testimony of a visitor to Warri, who captured his experience as decay took over Warri in 2000.
Even our Warri Carnival, which the Alders League used to organize in Abraka, was affected. The state government informed whoever cared to listen, that they have plans to develop Warri. They commenced with the dualization of some of the roads, and eventually abandoned them for reasons best known to them. Shell, Chevron, and other Oil and Gas companies came up with a few developmental projects in and around Warri. For example, the Osubi Airport Project, School Buildings, and Halls, Health facilities, Town Halls and many more sprang up in some strategic places due to the efforts of these multi-nationals.
But our greed showed up. Government couldn’t reach a compromise with Shell. We continuously disagreed on principles and modalities on how to handle various issues. Consequently, there was a breakdown of law and order. As a business concern, Shell couldn’t continue to operate in a hostile environment. Government couldn’t help. The Dutch oil major had to move officially from Warri – Delta State to Port Harcourt – Rivers State. That singular act signaled the comatose situation in Warri and environs. All other allied companies moved along with Shell.
The huge amount of money the state used to generate from Shell in form of IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) shrunk drastically. Those in government cared less. Majority of the citizens suffered. The absence of a good plan if at all there was any, led to taking of unproductive decisions. Warri of course suffered for it.
DESOPADEC – the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission that is charged with the sole responsibility of developing the oil producing areas unfortunately became politicised. If you were not a PDP card-carrying member, no matter your ideas or professionalism, you cannot be patronized. So those with very good developmental proposals would rather sit at home and watch helplessly as the state took a nose dive for the worse.
The goose that lays the golden eggs was consequently abandoned. The government claimed to have spent billions of naira on Warri and its environs. Previous regimes, no doubt made some appreciable efforts in the development of Warri. Examples are the Federal Government College, Warri established in 1966; the Warri Refinery and Petrochemicals, 1978 and the Nigeria Gas Company established in 1980. Evidence of their impact abound.
One also recalls how Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia built a very solid road, the Warri / Sapele road, that served Warri for a very long time until we recently used our own hands to create very comfortable homes for lunatics right at the centre of the roads in the name of some incorrigible ideas driven by the greed to steal from the public till. For over a year now, we have been compelled to accept and ply this deplorable state of the popular Warri/Sapele road. The loss of man hour caused by the regular traffic jams on this bad state of the road runs into billions of naira if we have to quantify it in terms of naira and kobo.
Government should as a matter of urgency set up a body to draw up a comprehensive development plan for Warri and its environs. The focus should be on Warri urban; the utilisation of the Warri waterways/channels; railway line to link up everywhere; Beautification and creation of a peaceful environment that will attract investors; redirecting the attention of the youths towards self-help projects.
Wafarians are gifted. Warri no dey carry last was the slogan we use to revel in. But today, the reality is that we no dey anywhere. Warri is one big shame, an eye sore of an oil city. The task of rebuilding Warri is however a task for everyone.
Sir Odibo, an entrepreneur and public affairs analyst wrote from Warri, Delta State.
Thousands of shoppers and workers were trapped Friday as protesting youths took over the Delta Shopping Mall, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta state.
The mall houses the popular South African consumer shop Shoprite and nearly 100 others.
It is located at the Effurun Roundabout on the gateway to the East and South-south states.
The Police has confirmed the incident and said the youths are protesting over lack of employment opportunities and other benefits.
The Olu of Warri, HM Ogiame Ikenwoli, has urged the Interface Committee of the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to sustain the communal peace at Ugborodo to enhance the takeoff of the $16 billion multi-lateral gas project.
The Warri monarch, who addressed the committee at a closed-door meeting in his palace at Ajamimogha, Warri, also urged members of the Association of Itsekiri Performing Artists (AIPA) to support the revival of Itsekiri culture and tradition.
Speaking with our reporter on the outcome of the meeting, the Secretary of EPZ’s interface committee, Dr. Ayo Ayomike, said the monarch advised the committee as he would his children.
Ayomike said: “We are happy we came to pay homage and bare our hearts before him. His body language is that of father advising his sons. He said there’s need for us to imbibe brotherly disposition and maintain the peace so that the project can berth and bring development to the community.”
On the crisis that followed the siting of the project at Ugborodo, Ayomike said: “We have put whatever happened in the past behind us. If you are a follower of the events, you would remember that Pa J. O. S. Ayomike was at the community to seal the end of all the disputes we’ve had in the past.
“We have put what happened behind us and we are now united as one – as brothers and sisters working to ensure that what belongs to the community comes to the community and peace is maintained.”
Activities marking the coronation of His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli as the 20th Olu of Warri Kingdom in Delta State yesterday ended with an interdenominational service at the church auditorium in the monarch’s palace (Aghofen).
Ikenwoli arrived in the church at 10:10am, accompanied by his wife, Olori Mary (May) Ikenwoli, his three children – Oyewoli, Omamuli and Omatsuli – members of the royal family and Warri Traditional Council.
The monarch was dressed in his full traditional attire, comprising an ox-blood inner robe underneath a cream cape.
He wore a matching dark-red pair of Italian leather shoes and three sets of giant-size beads on each wrist.
His head was adorned with the over 400-year-old diamond crown.
The service started at 9:45am with praise and worship renditions by the choirs of Church of God Mission, Christ African Church, Christ Apostolic Church and Foursquare Gospel Church, among others.
The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, stressed the need for Christians to always thank God.
He said: “Thanksgiving must not be about what God has done for you but also what He will do.”
In the sermon, which was spiced with quotations and readings from the Holy Bible as well as inferences from the lives of great men and women in the holy book, the CAN President urged the Itsekiri and other Nigerians to “begin to give thanks for what you have not seen”.
Reading from Jonah 2:9, Oritsejafor said: “Thanksgiving is a catalyst that changes
The service climaxed with HM Ikenwoli leading his family, Warri chiefs, friends and well-wishers, including the former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife, Nere; Daniel Reyenieju; the member, representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and members of the traditional council, for the thanksgiving.
Venerable Best Agbolaya prayed God to give the monarch the wisdom to lead the ancient city.
Home experts from Apollo Hospitals, India have said Nigerians no longer have to travel abroad for the diagnosis and management of cancer and neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and tremour. They said these services are available locally.
This was one of the revelations at a health camp in Warri, Delta State.
Head Manager, Health Care Services International, Apollo Hospitals, India, Abubakkar Siddique, said Nigeria has what it takes to handle those diseases.
He spoke at a two-day free medical camp organised by the hospital in collaboration with the Capitol Hill Hospital, Warri, Delta State.
According to Siddique, the Indian hospital will be in partnership with local hospitals to ensure proper diagnosis of cancer and other neurological disorders.
He said the hospital has about 64 facilities across India and four overseas, adding that it would be bringing its rich expertise and resources to Nigerian hospitals.
Siddique said: “Our doctors from Apollo Hospitals are prepared to take Nigerian hospitals to greater medical heights, particularly in the area of continuous medical education (CME) and the provision of telemedicine/ tele-health services, training and development programmes”.
The Chairman, Delta State Chapter of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners in Nigeria (AGPMPN), Dr. Lucky Okparanyote, said prompt diagnosis of cancer and access to specialists could reduce the number of Nigerian dying from cancer.
Okparanyote identified ignorance and poverty as factors affecting early detection and treatment of cancer.
He called on the Federal Government to support cancer patients because it is an expensive disease to treat.
The Apollo team led by Prof. Krishna K.N, a Neuroscience Consultant and Dr. Anil Kameth, a senior consultant/ surgical oncologist offered free medical consultation.
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State has been in the news following the enthronement of a monarch (Amakosu). The choice of the pioneer chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area, Couple Oromoni as Pere Amakosu, Monbene III, although widely accepted by the people of the kingdom, the 12th Ogbe-Ijoh monarch’s coronation has ruffled some feathers and generated controversies that have taken key players through the Delta State Police Command to Zone ‘5’, law courts and government circles. Southsouth Regional Editor Shola O’Neil examines the issues, the key players and the politics of dragging in the deputy governor.
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom is a strategic kingdom in Delta State, with some of its communities seating atop huge oil and gas reserves. They host multibillion dollars oil installations and facilities of multinationals operating in the region.
The traditional ruler of the Ijaw people is known as the Pere Amakosu (‘Oldest Man’) of the kingdom, which is divided into six villages (or quarters) comprising Arontegha, Perebiri, Ikiandumu, Oturubiri, Lotiobiri and Tambiri. The quarters are founded by children of Ewein, ancestor and founder of the Ogbe-Ijoh.
Niger Delta Report gathered that only five quarters are considered ruling houses in Ogbe-Ijoh, while Tambiri, which is crowning house, is exempted from producing a traditional ruler, but restricted to the process leading to enthronement of a monarch after also announcing the demise of a former king.
•The late Pere
The former monarch, the 11th to rule the kingdom, Amakosu Oduwor III died sometime in 2013, and the formal announcement of his death was made by the spokesperson (Fie-Owei) of the kingdom, Chief Favour O Izoukumor, at an emotional ceremony held at the Ewein Hall, Ogbe-Ijoh, on February 15, 2013.
The announcement paved the way for burial rites, which were rounded up on May 31, 2014.
At the conclusion of the rites, the search for a new monarch began in earnest. Our findings revealed that the selection of a new Amakosu was backed by the Bendel State Gazette of 1979, which rotates the stool among the five houses.
“Having produced our late monarch, the Oduwor III, who was the third in his lineage from the Arontegha House, the stool moved to Perebiri, which is the next in the succession line,” a member of the traditional council told our reporter.
It was further gathered that within the Perebiri quarter, there are three families among which the stool also rotates when it is their turn to produce the king. They are Apribodoware, Biseboware and Ejiware.
The gazette states in Paragraph 3: “To qualify, a candidate must trace his decent to the village whose turn it is to present a candidate. He must be a male adult; free from any contagious disease and serious physical deformity; he must not be a lunatic or an ex-convict.”
Continuing, the document noted that “Should a village fail to produce a suitable candidate within a month of its being called upon to do so, succession passes to the appropriate village next entitled and so on until a suitable candidate is selected.
However, for the successor to the Oduwor III, Perebiri had suitable candidates in abundance and they were all willing to take up the responsibility.
Those who stood up for the contest were former Interim Chairman of the council, Mr David Pere; his predecessor in the office, Mr Couple Marcson Oromoni and influential businessman, Mr Johnny Aribogha, all of whom the kingdom and their quarter viewed as immensely qualified.
Although the three men were titleholders of the kingdom before their quest to become Pere, it was learnt that in line with the Ogbe-Ijoh tradition that only non-chiefs can aspire to the throne, they were forced to renounce their chieftaincy titles and join the fray as ordinary citizens.
“That is how it has always been; any man who indicates interest to contest must first drop his title because chiefs cannot aspire to become Pere in the kingdom. Every kingdom has its own unique rules and that is one of ours,” a former Chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council, Mr Samson Oyinmi, told our reporter.
Independent investigation by Niger Delta Report revealed that among the three candidates, a consensus was supposed to emerge, in order for their village to take his name to the traditional authorities as their choice. But the Perebiri quarter could not reach an agreement as each of the trio insisted on testing their popularity before the larger clan.
Confirming this report, Chief Izoukumor told our reporter: “The families could not produce a single candidate; they couldn’t reach a consensus. If they had done that, they would have presented him to the committee for screening to confirm his suitability for the position. But having failed, the matter was taken from the hands and became an affair for the kingdom.”
The inability of the quarters to reach a consensus on the trio set the stage for the drama, intrigue that would later bedevil the process and emergence of Monbene III.
Indications that the process may not go as plan first emerged when rumour made the round that some candidates were throwing money around in a desperate bid to corrupt the process.
While some notable leaders were reportedly being courted with huge sums of money, others were reported offered outboard engines (for speedboats) and these cost between N600,000 to N700,000.
Before the committee that was headed by Elder Anthony Jolomi Okosu, was set up, the Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council, the administrative structure of the clan, was forced to debunk a report that Aribogha had emerged as the Pere of the kingdom, after a section of his quarter went to the reporters about his choice.
There was a counter response to the OGC position through a paid advertorial in a national daily, signed by Chief Alfred Yola, the Chairman of Perebiri Quarter (Village). The signatories said they “emphatically and unequivocally state that the announcement in respect of the selection of Chief Johnny Aribogha as Pere ofo Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom followed due process as prescribed by the law.”
The position of Chief Yola, who many in the kingdom believe was acting the script of Aribougha, set the stage for a long drawn battle and intrigues.
In spite of the development, the Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom commenced a process to select a new monarch from the three candidates in the race. Various sources said a 15-man committee, comprising representatives from the five quarters in the kingdom, to form a sort of election committee, which Elder Okosu headed as Warokosuwei (oldest man, not by age, but by his position).
It was further gathered that the candidates were requested to obtain an ‘Expression of Interest’ form. Although the cost of the form could not be independently confirmed, various sources said the Pere, Aribogha and Oromoni paid for it and were screened.
Elder Okosu confirmed that the trio purchased the form, were screened and voluntarily signed a bond to be of good conduct during the election process as well as to abide by the voice of the 15 ‘Wise men’. To show their commitment, they also proceeded to a court to take an oath.
He said, “The three candidates were screened and they all scaled through. The committee too could not decide on whom to select, as there was no consensus, even among us. This led us to the process of conduction an election, which we decided should be done in a secret ballot format.
“We produced the ballot papers and on the day of the election, we shared it to members, who wrote their names, signed and went to a secret location to tick the name of the candidate of their choice after the process had been extensively explained to everybody. We insisted that no member should see the other when they are voting, to ensure the sanctity of the exercise.”
Explaining further, the ad-hoc committee chairman explained that after voting for the candidate of their choices, the electorates were required to staple the paper and sign their signatures on it as a further security against tampering.
After the election, it was learnt that the result could not be announced because the monarch-elect would have to be presented to the kingdom at an enlarged assembly of all members of the kingdom.
“We took the materials to the house of the Regent, Chief Samson Mamamu, but he insisted that we took it to the bank for safekeeping. As a result, we took it to the bank (an old generation bank) where the materials and the sealed ballot box were kept.”
About a week later, the general assembly of Ewein Congress convened at the town hall on May 19. The three contestants, their families and other members of the kingdom waited with anticipation to find out who their new monarchs would be.
Elder Okosu, accompanied by a retinue of other community leaders and security agents went to the bank, where the ballot box was retrieved from the vault where it was cooling since the voting was done.
Interestingly, all the candidates, including Aribougha, who had been touted as the Pere-elect over four months earlier, participated in the election and reported for the announcement of the result.
Our reporter, Bolaji Ogundele, covered that event, disclosed that the process “followed a rigorous process, which ensured to lay guidelines meant to forestall controversies”, adding, “They also signed a legal oath and agreed that none of them would object to the genuineness of the process and that they would not challenge the outcome of the selection in any court or publish any comment discrediting or challenging the outcome.”
He said the Chairman of the Selection/Succession Committee, which decided the fate of the contestants, Elder Anthony Jolomi, said their procedure considered the personalities of the three men, “taking particular notice of their contributions to the development of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and their everyday life style.”
Nevertheless, indications that Aribougha would challenge the process emerged when he walked out during the announcement of the outcome of the contest. Leaders of the community told our reporter that he made his move when it became obvious that he had been outscored by the new monarch.
Indeed, at the end of the counting, Aribougha and Pere scored two votes each, while Oromoni polled eight votes and was declared winner; three members of the 15-man committee abstained.
But in a telephone interview with our reporter on Tuesday, Aribougha described the emergence of Oromoni as Monbene III as null and void, adding that the processes that produced him were flawed.
He said, “Nobody has elected anybody, there is a matter in court and injunction that nobody should do anything. These guys forced themselves and did whatever they did. Whatever has been done is illegal, against the rule of law, the court will decide.”
The Ogbe-Ijoh leader, who would not be drawn into debate on why he participated in the “illegal process”, hinged his grouse with it on the 1979 Gazette. He said the gazette does not recognize the position of Chief Mamamu as a regent or the selection of the committee, which conducted the election in which he participated.
He went further to accuse a section of the community leadership of using their “connection” to pollute the process, insisting, “Whatever is happening now is against the rule of law.
When asked why he participated in the process, he said, “That body is an illegal body, get in touch with the gazette; there ought not to be anybody like a regent, or whatever happened – read the gazette. Every other thing will be interpreted in court. Whoever has forced himself with the support of anybody in government, when the court resumes, the legal issues will continue.”
Aribougha particularly lamented that the kingdom went ahead to crown the monarch without recourse to a subsisting court injunction, which he said would first be revisited before the main case, which is slated for hearing in November, as soon as the court resumes from vacation fully.
However, counsel to the kingdom, Larry Ovwromoh Esq, Principal Partner at Larry Ovwromoh & Associates, told our reporter that his clients did nothing wrong, explaining that the relief sought by the petitioners does not include stopping Oromoni from being crowned in the real case.
On the interim injunction, although Ovwromoh was cautious on commenting on the pending matter, explained that the interim (ex-parte) injunction, which was granted by a vacation judge, was effective for seven days.
A another legal source and member of Ogbe-Ijoh community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the case instituted by those opposing the monarch was targeted at a committee, which ceased to exist as soon as the monarch-elect was named. Our source further disclosed that contrary to insinuation, the Regent, Chief Mamamu was not the crowning authority in the kingdom as was being insinuated.
“The injunction, be it as it may, was that the committee should not swear-in anybody, however, like I have said before, the committee does not swear-in, it only screens and conduct the process, after that, it becomes extinct. So, I don’t know why they are suing a nonexistent committee.
Our finding also revealed that before the matter went to the court, it had gone through the whole hog of the civil police. Petitions flew ceaselessly into the Warri Area Command, then moved to the Commissioner of Police Office in Asaba, the state capital and thereafter to the Assistant Inspector General of Police’s office in Zone 5, Benin City, Edo State.
Beyond the security agencies, the Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, was forced to defend himself, after the Chief Yola group, accused him of facilitating the enthronement of Oromoni through the use of security operates.
They said the deputy governor “sent over 200 of his policemen and aides to Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom…against the court directive”.
The claim forced a stern riposte from Otuaro, who spoke through Mr Bulou Kosin, his media aide. He said, “The Deputy is in no way party to the alleged selection/appointment of Chief Couple Oromoni, or anybody for that matter, as Pere (King) of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom, against a subsisting court order as claimed in recent media reports.
“As leaders believed to be respectable, Chief Alfred Yola and Sele Banni and their sponsors, ought to have done the responsible thing by initiating contempt proceedings in court against whoever may have defied such court order, instead of resorting to hurling unsubstantiated allegations, sentiments and blackmail at the Deputy Governor.
“Despite insults hurled at him, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, wishes to appeal to the generally good people of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom to embrace peace necessary for the enjoyment of democratic dividends under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda of prosperity for all Deltans,” he added.
Besides, the political jibes, keen watchers of the unfolding drama, see bringing in the deputy governor into the fray as a ploy Aribougha/Yola group to put him in the defence.
“As you know, the office of the Deputy Governor is responsible for kingship matters. This is probably a strategy to ensure that he does not recognize the new king as a last ditch effort by those against Amokosu Monbene III.”
The position is shared by OGC, in a statement by its chairman, Mr Lucky Oromoni and and secretary, Mr Elvis Wurusibewei, and the kingdom chapter of the Ijaw Youth Council, who exonerated the deputy governor.
On his part, the spokesperson of the kingdom, Chief Izoukumor, said, “The entire kingdom is excited about the emergence of Monbene II, apart from a few persons who are acting in desperation. The influx of visitors from within and outside the kingdom on homage and solidarity visit is a clear attestation to his popularity and acceptance. Our neighbours from Aladja, Gbaramatu and others have all come to feciliate with us.”
On the interim, the two sides are warming up for the commencement of the legal firework in a about a month’s time.
WITH the intent of discovering young talents who have been deprived of the opportunity to shine, Warri’us talent hunt show, come Thursday October 1, will berth in the oil rich city of Warri, Delta State. Meant to give youths an exposure to the big stages throughout the world, the first edition of the show will first focus on music competition with the winner going home with a whopping N1 million cash.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday in Lagos, the organiser of the show and founder of Autoserve Entertainment Center in Warri, Mr. Mitaire ‘Mimi’ Okumagba, said Warri’us is conceived as a platform to showcase the untapped entertainment resources in the oil-rich city.
“It is not in doubt that Warri has produced some of the leading entertainers in the country over the years. But I tell you, what you see, is less than five percent of the talent that abound in this city. Warri is a city that has all the tribes present and aspiring to live in harmony. Inside this city, raw entertainment talents abound. The five percent we have seen are Ali Baba, I Go Die, Dede Mabiaku, Omawunmi, Gandoki and Harry Song among others, yet there is a crucial 95 percent who are talented but unable to get to the world stage. They rather turn to crime. It is this largely volatile raw materials that we are poised to harness and present to the world,” Mimi said.
He revealed that the show is also meant to offer employment to the teeming youths in the area who are unemployed.
“What we are also offering is not just the show alone, we are providing opportunities for the finalists to be signed onto record labels of movies roles as the case may be. We need the corporate organisations to come and see what we are doing here. The government too needs to be here to see our unique way of preaching peace, harmony and organizational productivity among the youths,” he added.
All finalists will also go home with consolation prizes.
