Avoid Undue Proliferation Of Chieftaincy Titles Not Rooted In The People’s Culture – Okowa tells Traditional Ruler
By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has charged Traditional Rulers to avoid undue proliferation of chieftaincy titles not rooted in the people’s culture.
Gov Okowa made the charge today at the official ceremony and presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Evangelist Captain (Rtd) Clement Ifeanyichukwu Ejiofor, the Obi of Ukala Kingdom.
Gov Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Dcn Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, noted that the traditional rulers were the prescribed authority empowered by law to confer Chieftaincy titles on deserving persons. “Persons of questionable characters should not be recognized and honoured by our Royal Father’s”. He added.
While advising the new Obi of Ukala Kingdom to avoid all forms of sectionalism, partiality, discrimination, and favouritism in his day to day administration, Gov Okowa maintained that “your achievements will depend largely on the quality of cooperation and goodwill of the generality of the people. I urge you to make relentless efforts at sustaining peace and security of lives and properties in your domain for the good of all”.
The Delta State Governor charged Ukala indigenes not to shirk their responsibilities to the Obi but to cooperate with him to facilitate the rapid development of Ukala Kingdom by shunning Political bickering, mudslinging and unwarranted lack of cooperation and total support, which can limit progress.
Gov Okowa stated that the Delta State Government was committed to the principle of even development of the State. That Ukala Kingdom will not be forgotten in the development plan of his administration.
“While I solicit your patience in this regard, I like to reassure you that your areas of need and requests as expressed in the community’s speech as presented, have been noted and would all be addressed by the appropriate government departments, particularly, the issue of the menace from herdsmen and the rehabilitation of Ezi-Ukala Okwute road leading to Ebu.
“I am inclined to deduce, therefore, that the emergence of His Royal Majesty is a product of a popular choice of the people to give Ukala Kingdom an eminently qualified personality to further strengthen the much edified throne. I sincerely appreciate the good people of Ukala for sustaining their peaceful bent as reflected in this momentous occasion”. He added
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Oshimili North LGA Hon. Esewezie Innocent, stated that the Institution of the Obi or Paramount ruler in every community need not be toiled with, given the crucial role they play in grassroot governance, especially, now that the country was facing security challenges never seen before.
He said he was happy that the National Assembly was working on a bill to give traditional rulers a constitutional role.
The Obi of Ukala Kingdom Rtd. Captain Evangelist Clement Ifeanyichukwu Ejiofor, said he was a man of peace and with all sense of humility and experience, both as a servant of God and as one who has served his country in some capacities, he would ensure total peace in Ukala Kingdom.
” Without peace there cannot be unity or any meaningful development”. He added.