***As Young Monarch Gets Staff Of Office
By Our correspondent
“My dear people of Ubulu-Uku, God and your agreement have bestowed on you, a new ruler. Despise not his youth, but offer him all due difference. Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of the believers, in words, in conversation, in charity, in spirit and in faith”.
This was the charge given yesterday, by the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr. ) Ifeanyi Okowa to the people of Ubulu-Uku as he presented Staff of Office to the new young monarch, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi, Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze 1, Obi of Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State.
Governor Okowa who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, who commended the people for following and respecting the time honoured process of succession to the throne, appealed to them to accord the royal father the respect and understanding needed to facilitate his duties as a dynamic and resourceful people.
The governor appealed to the Obi of Ubulu-Uku to discharge his responsibilities in a transparent manner by being fair and just to all his subjects. “According to him; “ As the custodian of the tradition of your people, it is important that you do not in words or action, give cause to your subjects to doubt your ability to uphold the sanctity of their customs. I sincerely appeal to you to imbibe the democratic virtues of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with the people,” Okowa stated.
He used the occasion to call on sons and daughters of of Ubulu-Uku to take advantage of the various policies and programmes of the state government to improve on their production capacities, noting that Ubulu-Uku is well known for its abundant agricultural production and local textile industry.
The governor who thanked the people of Ubulu-Uku for their continued support for the state government, commend them for their various self- help efforts and assured that all legitimate requests made will be channelled to the appropriate agencies of government for necessary attention.
Earlier, in an addressed presented by the President-General, Ubulu-Uku Development Council, Comrade (Sir) Jones Ofunne who asserted that HRM, Obi Chukwu Akaeze 1 was traditionally enthroned according to custom of the people on February 18, 2016, commended the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the various projects sited in Ubulu-Uku which includes, building, rehabilitation and equipping of schools.
Comrade Ofunne, who also appreciated the governor for the tarring of some link roads in the town, as well as equipping the General Hospital and Area Customary Court, appealed for the fencing of the king’s palace, as well as come to the aid of the community in addressing the spate of criminality, cultism, strife and hooliganism that has been foisted on the community by some unscrupulous and disgruntled elements.
He appealed for a textile industry to be sited in Ubulu-Uku, noting that the people are known for making traditional white woven cloth (Akwa Ocha), according to him, a textile industry will enhance massive production of this rare fabric for local and international markets.
Comrade Ofunne who pledged the community’s support to the state government at all times, asserted that the community has repaired the collapsed electricity infrastructure in the town as well as engaged the distribution company to supply energy to the community.
Also, the Chairman, Aniocha South Local Government Area, Chief (Hon.) Isaac Anuwazia, in an address, assured that the people of Ubulu-Uku are peace loving and are prepared to support His Royal Majesty in the task of leading and directing the affairs of Ubulu-Uku kingdom.
Chief Anuwazia, who also assured of the support of the Aniocha South Traditional Rulers’ Council to the brand new Obi, used the occasion to appeal to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to ensuring 24 hours surveillance within the palace and around the community for safety and protection of the people.
Further, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Patrick Ukah, while fielding questions from newsmen, enjoined all progressive and well meaning people of Ubulu-Uku to support the young monarch in order to attract the needed development to the area.
Hon. Ukah, expressed joy over the peaceful enthronement of the young king, and assured that the peace that is gradually returning to the community will be sustained through the reign and life time of the new royal majesty.
He appealed to all to put the past behind and forge ahead with the king, saying that the Okowa led administration is poised and determined to bring prosperity to the door steps of all Deltans.
His Royal Majesty, Obi Chukwuka, Noah, Akaeze 1, Agbogidi, The Obi of Ubulu-Uku kingdom in his response, pledged to ensure the arrest, investigation and prosecution of those involved in the kidnapping and murder of his late father, saying that they and their sponsors will be brought to book.
The Obi assured the people of Ubulu-Uku that he will do all within his power to ensure that security is enhanced in the kingdom for the protection of all Ubulu-Uku people, that all forms of criminality and unholy acts will be wiped out from the kingdom.
He appealed to the people of Ubulu-Uku for their support in order to make the kingdom grow, assuring that he will not betray the confidence reposed in him, adding that his kingdom will continue to support the Okowa administration in order to attract the needed development to the kingdom.
