BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has called on traditional rulers in the state to be mindful of the spread of Covid-19 in their various kingdoms.
Governor Okowa made the call yesterday in Igbuku while presenting the official Star of Office to His Royal Majesty, Isaac Erube Uvo, the Ozu 11 of Igbuku Kingdom, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that, in spite of flattening of the Covid-19 curve, the state government remains desirous to drastically reduce the transmission of the virus by intensifying enforcement of its regulations and ensuring that culprits are sanctioned.
Governor Okowa while noting that government has remained consistent in the inclusion of traditional rulers in the scheme of things, enjoined them to ensure that the people comply with the Covid-19 protocols, especially the wearing of masks regularly, washing of hands and observance of physical-distancing when in public places.
Governor Okowa while congratulating the His Royal Majesty, Isaac Erube Uvo as the Ozu 11 of Igbuku kingdom, urge him to use his exposure, and virtues of justice, equity and modesty in running the affairs of the kingdom.
According to him; “Your vast backgrounds, experience, training and exposure have no doubt contributed immensely to the maintenance of peace and harmonious co-existence towards the development of the society”. Gov. Okowa stated.
While commending the people of Ndukwa East and the whole State for the confidence they have continued to repose on his administration, Okowa assured Deltans of not letting them down.
The governor who assured that, their requests especially on road, water and transformers will be channelled to the appropriate agencies of government for necessary attention, called on sons and daugthers of the kingdom to take advantage of the various programmes of government particularly the Delta State Production and Processing Support Programme and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise scheme, to improve on their production capacities.
The Chairman, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Hon. Amechi Juan Governor, noted that, traditional leaders have a definite role to play in rural economy. According to him, the constitutional principle that local government should bring basic amenities to the people at grassroot level must incorporate and include traditional leadership and institution as integral component of harmonizing the relationship between traditional leaders and the people.
Hon. Amechi, while congratulating the royal father, expressed hope that the presentation of staff of office to the Ozu of Ibuku will promote community building, harmony and peace amongst the people.
Earlier, in an address on behalf of the kingdom, the Iyasele of Igbuku, High Chief Denis Etaluku, while appreciating the state governor for presenting the official staff of office to their royal father, noted that, the kingdom for 15 years had no king and was therefore leaderless due to petty in-house disagreement over who should ascend the throne from the same ruling house.
Chief Etaluku, assured that due to the amicable settlement of the dispute and the enthronement of a new king, the people of Ibuku will deepen their belief in peace, sense of belonging and hope for the future.
He assured that with the new king in the kingdom, the community is ready to support the police in ensuring that those involve in criminal activities are stamped out from the community.
Chief Etaluku, on behalf of the community appeal to the state government for expension of the 2km road project, the rehabilitation of the completed water works project as well as the building of the kingdom’s town hall.