…Says his ascension to throne of oil-rich Operemor kingdom’ll usher in devt, progress

By Chancel Bomadi Sunday

HRM (Dr) Ekioemi John Oweiagbe is the Ebenanaowei of oil-rich Operemor Kingdom in Burutu local government area of Delta State in this interview spoke extensively on the hope of a better Nigeria in 2024 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, development drive in Operemor Kingdom and among other issues. Excerpts:

Your Majesty, what’s your word for this season of festivities, that is, the celebration of Christmas and New Year?

One most important thing is to thank God for all his goodness and faithfulness to us in the year 2023, which came with a lot of turbulence.

God Almighty has been faithful to me, God has been faithful to Operemor Kingdom, God has been faithful to Nigerians and I thank Him for his protection and care.

What are your hopes and expectations in year 2024, particularly from the political leadership of this country?

The year 2024 is a better year for Nigerians because it’s a year that begins with hope. It is what you wish for yourself as an individual, it’s what you wish for your subjects as a leader and it’s what you wish for as a country that you get.

I see that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying all his best as a leader to fix Nigeria by all means. He is trying by all means to see that the economy is stabilized, which is expected of a good leader. He has put machineries in place to ensure the country gets better in 2024 and that gives a big hope for discerning Nigerians.

First, what is expected of all Nigerians is that, we must pray for the president and also have hope in his economic blueprint, we must be part of the visions and aspirations of the government for the betterment of the system. When you always see and speak positive words, then you see positive life around you. I see Nigeria as a better place for each and everyone of us as Nigerians, whether in the religious, political, traditional or any other sphere.

Today, 1st January, 2024 marks your birthday; What’s your birthday and New Year message to Nigerians and people of Operemor Kingdom?

Well, I can say it is a privilege and I must sincerely thank Almighty God for giving me the privilege and also being born today, the first day of the year. It comes with double blessings, that is, celebration of new beginning and also celebration of new birth. When you celebrate a beginning, you end with celebrations. So, anyone in my kingdom from afar and near, at home and in the diaspora, praying for new year blessings and praying for their king is already blessed with double portions.

The New Year day is the beginning of the year which also marks my birth, and that means double blessings for me, my people and my kingdom. So, my New Year message is this, there is hope for Nigeria and Nigeria will be better in 2024. I believe there will be peace and economic wellbeing in this year.

For instance, when you promulgate new laws to guide the people, initially it will be very difficult for the people to adhere to the laws. But, there comes a time when you will be acquainted with these laid-down rules and regulations.

President Tinubu is just starting his administration and his economic plans and policies are becoming cumbersome because we have not experienced it before this time. However, by the time we’re acquainted with these economic policies and plans, we will see a better Nigeria ahead. So, my message is that there’s hope for Nigerians from the Tinubu administration. In a nutshell, year 2024 is a better year than 2023.

For my kingdom, there is a bigger hope and a bigger prosperity for the people of Operemor Kingdom. The year has already been blessed, waiting to be unveiled and my subjects will see the benefits that await them.

Operemor Kingdom is blessed with crude oil deposits but there are no commensurate development projects in the area; What are some efforts you’ve made so far since ascension to the throne?

Well, there is no doubt about the fact that Operemor is oil producing kingdom in Delta State. We, the people of the kingdom lack one thing, we have not united as one to fight for a common cause to bring the needed development to the kingdom.

However, the necessary action to be taken this year is for all key stakeholders of the kingdom to work hard to ensure the kingdom benefits the oil resources that feed the state and nation at large. Burutu local government area is producing the highest production of oil and my kingdom is one of the major contributors that increases revenue to the state.

I was opportune to attend a stakeholders forum and I met with some persons in authority and presented issues of my kingdom, where I also met with the lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial District. I presented same issues of development before him. There is also what is called Niger Delta Basin Authority (NDBA) established under the NDDC to carry out small projects across three states, namely Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta. If by God’s grace my presentations are approved, projects will be executed across the eleven communities in my kingdom.

The ongoing Tuomo-Ogbobagbene-Tamigbe-Torugbene-Ojobo road is deplorable and the contractor is also out of site; Do you have any idea about road?

This road is a joint project between the NDDC and the Delta State government. I had engagement with the contracting firm, Setraco Nig. Ltd, in regard to the road and the company said they’re waiting for the government, as the governor had just come on board. They promised to commence work immediately after the state government rolled out its 2024 budget.

More so, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori also assured us when traditional rulers paid him a visit, that one of his priorities is to fix the Ohoror-Bomadi-Tuomo-Ogbobagbene-Tamigbe-Torugbene-Ojobo road. We believe he is committed to the project and we also believe the words of our governor. This road, when completed, will be of immense socio-economic benefit to the riverine area and the state, as goods and services will easily be transported from the creeks to uplands.