Okowa presents staff of office to two Delta monarch amid tight security

The Delta State Government has presented staff of office to two traditional rulers in the riverine communities of the state amidst tight security.
The Pere Amakosu, HRM Couple Oromoni Monbene III of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Warri South-West LGA, and his counterpart, the Ebenanaowei of Kumbowei Clan, Patani Local Government Area of the State, His Royal Majesty, Jackson Foubriowei Angalabiri, were on Friday presented with the symbols of government recognition with a charge on them to discharge their responsibilities in a transparent manner by being fair and just to all their subjects.
Speaking at the separate events, the State Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, while presenting the symbols of authority to the monarchs, urged the rulers to use their good offices to promote peace and rapid socioeconomic development in their various domains.
Otuaro said: “As the custodian of the tradition of your people, it is important that you do not, in words or action, give any cause to your subjects to doubt your ability to uphold the sanctity of their customs.
“I sincerely appeal to you to imbibe the democratic norms of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with the people.”
Otuaro said the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration will not meddle in the process of selection of traditional rulers in the state, maintaining that the processes that produce the monarchs has been fair, and equitable.
He said: “It is statutory for the State Government to present Staff of Office to traditional ruler after due installation and endorsement by his people according to the Laws of Delta State. That this event is in compliance with the statute and an endorsement of the peaceful manner, the whole process of this ascension has taken.”
He urged the people to cooperate with the monarch to attract rapid development of the area.
Otuaro also used the occasion to reassure the people of the area of government’s resolve to ensure the boundary issue between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities is resolved amicably.
He said: “We are doing our very best to bring the boundary issue between Ogbe-Ijoh people and Aladja community to an end,” he said.
He urged youths to shun pipeline vandalism and crude oil bunkering, which he said is inimical to socioeconomic wellbeing of the state.
In his welcome address, Chief Favour Izoukumor, the Fiye-Wei (spokesperson) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Traditional Council of Chiefs, thanked the state government for giving recognition to the monarch through the presentation of the staff of office.
Izoukumor, while commending the state government for the steps taken so far in resolving the Aladja-Ogbe-Ijoh crisis, urged the Okowa-led government to expedite action in putting the issue at rest.