By Our Correspondent
A seal to the peace treaty extended by the former Chairman Sapele-Okpe Community has been signed and delivered, following the official handing-over of all documents and paraphernalia of office to the new Care-taker Committee Chairman, Mr. Anthony America Ayomanor by his predecessor. Mr. Moses Ogodo.
The handing-over of office was sequel to Mr. Ogodo resignation letter dated April 3rd 2017 and its acceptance by the Secretary, Sapele Okpe Community Land Trust Secretary Chief (Dr.) Kingsley Abeke and witnessed by the Trust Chairman, Chief Ede Dafinone on agreement for a scheduled date for the official hand-over ceremony.
In his hand-over statement, Mr. Ogodo who tendered a resignation letter by his predecessor. Mr. Michael Egbejule in obedience to Okpe traditional ruler, HRM Orodje of Okpe Kingdom to allow peace reign, stated that his tenure of close to five years was devoid of allegationof bad stewardship and financial misappropriation.
Beating his chest, Ogodo stated with facts and figures the accomplishments, among which are the buoyant financial state the community has attained as well as evidences of development projects and programmes carried out during his tenure.
According to him “ from the paltry N3,000 (Three thousand naira) hand-over money to him and a partially repaired Hilux bus by his predecessor, the community recorded astounding progress and development as well as other forms of empowerment and skill acquisition programmes, recalling the renovation of the community’s secretariat office block and town hall and sundry repairs carried out, apart from purchase of plastic chairs and fencing of the community hall that were contracted to youths of the community”.
A remarkable feat, Ogodo disclosed, that was recorded in his tenure was the purchase of SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company shares of N10 million at 7.69 percent purchase which had an accrued dividends of N272,000.00 explaining that the shares are re-investible, while there were purchases of a 30kva Lister Generator, repairs and renovation of several projects undertaken by the community and contracted to indigenes of the area.
Others were the purchase of three 15 seater Toyota Hiace bus for the use of the Orodje’s Palace and office of the community chairman, while there were programmes of skill acquisition and empowerments of mouth-watering benefits to the community sons and daughters in various vocations.
In his remarks, the new chairman, Mr. America Ayomanor, while commending the humility and patriotic gesture of Mr. Ogodo, said he is extending hands of fellowship to the former Chairman and other indigenes of the area to contribute their quota of knowledge in the spirit of moving the community to greater heights.
According to Ayomanor, “by the mandate given to me and the renewed reconciliation spirit displayed by Moses Ogodo, the community is on the path of making giant strides in terms of development, in an atmosphere of peace and devoid of bickering,” adding I am going to involve all stakeholders in my transparent programme for the overall interest and progress of the area.
Others, who commended Mr. Ogodo on the peaceful hand-over of office, were the Secretary, Sapele Okpe Community Land Trust Association, Dr. Kingsley Abeke and Sapele Okpe Community Financial Secretary. Mr. Victor Abeke, including Mr. Temiagi Henry who remarked that Ogodo performed well and taking the honorable path to resign is most commendable for peace and progress to prevail in the community and Sapele at large.
Items handed over to Mr. Ayomanor by Mr. Mr. Ogodo includes two black Toyota Hilux pick up van, a 15 seater Toyoa seater bus donated by Seplat Petroleum Company to the community for the award of the Most Peaceful Community, F.T.O and C.D.C accounts and shares accruing fromSeplat dividends, totaling N299,616,400.00.
