By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Delta North traditional rulers have met and agreed to form a united front against insecurity in the state.

The enlarged reconciliatory meeting of all royal fathers from the nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Delta North was held on Thursday at the palace of the Obi of Owa Kingdom, HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II.

The meeting resolved to work together to address the rising insecurity, including kidnapping and other criminal activities affecting their domains and the state at large. The royal fathers also agreed to put aside their differences and focus on the accelerated development of Delta North and the entire state.

The monarchs expressed concern over the growing incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and killings in the region, emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration with security agencies and the government to combat these issues.

In his welcome address, the host and Chairman of the Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, urged his colleagues to overcome any existing differences for the sake of unity and the collective interest of the people. He stressed that the unity of the royal fathers is vital to addressing the region’s challenges and ensuring sustainable development.

Efeizomor appealed to the monarchs to forgive one another, make sacrifices, and speak with one voice on issues that affect the communities. He reminded them that their positions would be threatened if they failed to unite, particularly now that an influential son of the region is no longer the governor of the state.

“We are in danger, and yet we are not united. We need to make sacrifices and move forward. My prayer is that we will put behind us what is happening today. Our people are in grave danger. They are killing our people. Please let’s put behind our differences and be our brothers’ keeper,” he said.

In his remarks, the Obi of Ubulu-Unor, HRM Dr. Henry Kikachukwu I, Second Vice-Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, emphasized the importance of sacrifice for unity, adding, “The sky is too wide for two birds to collide.”

Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, also expressed his appreciation for the royal fathers and urged them to rise above partisanship, emphasizing their role as leaders and dependable guides for good governance and development.

The Obi of Abavo, HRM Uche Irenuma II, commended the former governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for fostering unity among Delta North traditional rulers and contributing to the district’s progress. He called for fairness and equity in sharing principal offices among the nine LGAs in the spirit of reconciliation.

The high point of the meeting was the appointment of interim officers to oversee the affairs of the traditional rulers forum for three months. The newly elected interim executive members include:

Chairman: Obi of Owa, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, 1st Vice Chairman: Obi of Ubulu-Unor, Agbogidi Henry Kikachukwu I, 2nd Vice Chairman: Ezie of Ezionum, Welfare Officer: Obi of Umunede, Agadagidi Ezeagwu Ezeweali I, Assistant Treasurer: Obi of Issele-Uku, Financial Secretary: Akor of Oko Anala Kingdom, Public Relations Officer (1): Obi of Akumanzi, Henry Jegbefume, Secretary: Obi of Atuma-Iga, Daniel Ugbodu, Assistant Secretary: Obi of Idumuje-Unor, Obi Charles Anyasi III, Public Relations Officer (2): Obi of Ukala, Clement Ifeanyinachukwu Ejiofor.

Other appointed officers include: Legal Consultant: Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge, Humanitarian Services Consultant: Ukuata of Umukuata, Friday Abaja, Consultant, Government Interface: Ebu of Umuebu, Treasurer: Obi of Onicha-Ugbo, Victor Chukwuyemeze, The interim leadership will serve for three months, after which a substantive leadership will be elected.