*Olu of Warri has done well —Okowa

By Festus Ahon & Egufe Yafugborhi

WARRI—ONE year into his reign as the 20th Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has said he was well on course with the transformation agenda he set for the kingdom upon ascending the throne.

The Warri monarch stated this, yesterday, at the Ode-Itsekiri ancestral palace, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, where he gave his first anniversary day speech to his subjects and guests from far and wide.

HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olomu of Warri. during the HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, The Olu of Warri Kingdom, 1st coronation anniversary celebration yesterday at Ode-Itsekiri. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has felicitated with the Olu, on the 1st anniversary of his ascension to the ancient throne as Ogiame.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, yesterday, said that the Olu has “performed beyond imagination in the last one year on the throne.

“Your majesty, because you have done a lot, it is almost unbelievable that you are just one year on the throne. You have impacted so much on your people and the whole of Delta State and Nigeria as you have brought uncommon zest and creativity to the throne by ensuring unity among various kingdoms.

“You did not only preach peace but have also ensured unity at both state and national levels. You have aptly demonstrated that we can live together peacefully as a people.’’

Thanking the Warri monarch for encouraging harmonious and peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups in Delta State by visiting the various kingdoms in the state, Okowa commended him for using his exalted position for the service to the people.

He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate His Royal Majesty, members of the traditional council on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the monarch’s ascension to the ancient throne.

“In the last one year on the throne, His Royal Majesty, Ikenwoli I, has demonstrated exemplary leadership by living above board, while remaining the rallying point and inspiration for his subjects.

“As a custodian of culture and tradition, the Olu has played significant roles in the promotion of harmony among the Itsekiri people and their neighbours.’’

The governor wished the Olu well as he celebrates and also congratulates the people of Iwere nation for giving the monarch all the needed support and cooperation in the past one year.

My vision is on course
Continuing in his address, Ogiame Ikenwoli said: “The last one year has been both interesting and intriguing. Not withstanding, the most interesting challenge we have had to face had been internal to us as Itsekiri. But the vision I outlined one year ago is still intact and on course.

“This vision represents positive change and a clear departure from the vagaries and manipulations by a few individuals to a broader based Itsekiri project and programme anchored on participatory partnership with every Itsekriri man and woman. This is what I represent,” Ikenwole stated.

He said his early institution of an advisory organ, the Olu-In-Council, made up of eminent Itsekiris, would help to chart and navigate the course of his agenda by defining clear goals and roadmap for achieving his dream to transform all Itsekiri communities.

Many Itsekiri communities, he noted, were engulfed in various conflicts traced to leadership tussle, adding that he had also established a Conflict Resolution Committee at the palace to deal with these issues as he may, in rare cases, personally intervene in escalated situations.

“We have decreed that Itsekiri communities must have written constitutions which should clearly spell out the various leadership positions, roles and responsibilities and a copy deposited at the palace.”

On the need for more government presence in transforming Itsekiriland, Ikenwoli appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the commencement of work on the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project at Ogidigben, Warri South-West council of the state.

The Ikenwoli also appealed to the Buhari administration to open up Delta ports to create employment and check youth restiveness while also imploring Governor Okowa’s administration as well as federal and state interventionist agencies in the state to show more commitment to the development of Itsekiriland.

The Warri monarch also condemned the wave of attacks on oil installations, urging those indulged is such acts to desist and embrace nonviolet approaches to agitating for the desired development of the Niger Delta region.

On his resolve to build sustained bridges of peace and unity with his neighbours, Ogiame Ikenwole said: “I believe we have made great strides in this direction. To us, we should no longer be defined by tribes, tongues and negative dogma but by our collective will to live in peace and harmony.”

The Warri monarch also called on runaway Shell Petroleum Development Company to return to the state where it divested from its operations since 2012 while commending Chevron Nigeria Limited for remaining in business in the state despite the daunting challenges, particularly of insecurity, it had faced.