By Francis Sadhere
The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the new Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli of Warri Kingdom, to make peace his priority during his reign.
Governor Okowa stated this yesterday during the coronation of the new Olu of Warri at Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of Itsekiri nation in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Governor Okowa commended the new Olu of Warri for the peaceful disposition of the people of the Itsekiri nation throughout the burial of their late monarch and the coronation of the new Olu of Warri.
He said: “I urge His Royal Majesty to make the peaceful co-existence of the various ethnic groups in his domain a priority. We thank God for the relative peace that we have enjoyed in Warri in recent years. Peace and security is a critical factor for economic growth and sustainable development. I will like to see your Royal Majesty consolidate on the peace that has been achieved so that Warri can become the preferred destination once again for investors and companies.
“Our administration is taking steps to woo back some of the companies, such as Shell that relocated from Warri due to the atmosphere of insecurity that prevailed in the past. Our efforts in that regard will not yield the desired dividends if there is no guarantee of peace and public safety. Hence, we must all roll up our sleeves and do the work necessary to sustain the peace that we now enjoy in the state,” Okowa added.
Okowa said he is pleased to witness the coronation of the new Olu of Warri, saying that it is a privilege of a life time.
He added that the state was still committed to its prosperity agenda, saying that his youth employment scheme will soon witness its second phase as the first phase have graduated from the scheme.
“I am happy to report that the scheme is well and truly on course and in the next few weeks, we should graduate the first set of participants under the Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Scheme (STEP). Other programmes under the scheme Youths Agriculture Entrepreneurs Scheme (YAGEP). Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) and Microcredit are also progressing steadily. Through the programme we hope to conquer the problem of youth restiveness, unemployment, low agricultural output and produce men and women who will be job and wealth creators,” the Delta state Governor said.
He called on the Itsekiri nation to continue maintaining the peace that has been existing in the state, noting that without peace there cannot be any meaningful development in any nation.
Governor Okowa said the state government will continue to work with the traditional institutions in the state to ensure that the existing peace being experienced in the state is being maintained.
The new Olu of Warri Kingdom, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli was crowned as the 20th Olu of Warri Kingdom.
The new Olu who was crowned by Pa Higson Jofotan Oporokun, the Olare-Aja of Jakpa and head of Ologboshere clan. The new title of the Olu was given as “Ogiame Ikenwoli of Warri Kingdom.”
The coronation which witnessed by who is who in the country saw many colorful boat regatta displayed by different Itsekiri communities.
Earlier, Speaking at the occasion, President Mohammadu Buhari commended the Itsekiri nation for their peaceful disposition throughout the transition from the death of the late Olu, to the crowning of the new Olu.
President Buhari who was represented by the Secretary to Federal Government (SFG), Engr. David Lawal, said that in all the probes going on in the nation, no Itsekiri man has been found among those being probed by the government, stressing that this goes to show how honest the Itsekiri people are.
He urged the new Olu of Warri to emulate the peaceful nature of the late Olu and carry on with his legacy of ensuring that his people remain peaceful, noting that the late Olu was a peace ambassador who had preached peace not only in Itsekiri nation but all over the country.
President Buhari also revealed that his government has better plans for the youths of the country and that as the 2016 budget continues to be unveiled, Nigerians will see the plans that the Federal Government has for the youths in the country.
On his part the Oni of Ife Kingdom. charged the new Olu of Warri to continue to maintain the existing peace that has existed between the two kingdoms for decades, adding the crowning of the new Olu of Warri kingdom marked a new dawn in the history of the Itsekiri nation.
The Oni of Ife charged the government of the day to develop meaningful programs for the youths of the country, just as he said that the youths needed to be meaningfully engaged in other to stay away from crimes and other societal vices.
Others who attended the coronation are; Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Comrade Adams Oshoimhole, Edo State Governor, Engr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister for Petroleum (state), Senator Ibrahim kwankwaso, former governor of Kanu State, Alex Ekweme, Representative of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Traditional Ruler from all parts of the states, top governmemt functionaries in the country and other eminent personalities.
