The immediate past President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide and billionaire businessman, Olorogun Moses Taiga, has been appointed as the chairman of a 33-man burial committee for the departed Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Macaulay Popo Ovbagbedia, Uhurhie-Osadjere II.
The Olorogun Taiga-led committee is tasked with organising a befitting burial for Uhurhie-Osadjere II, who recently joined his ancestors at the age of 92.
Uhurhie-Osadjere II, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), reigned for two years as the Ohworode of the ancient Olomu Kingdom after succeeding the oldest traditional ruler in Nigeria, His Majesty, Dr. Ovie Richard L. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1, in 2023.
Ohworode’s passing was formally announced by the Otota (traditional prime minister) of the kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, at the royal palace in Ovwor-Olomu community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, on Saturday.
The names of the burial committee members were contained in a statement released on Wednesday by the Olomu Council of Chiefs.
According to the statement, renowned banker and Gbobaro of Olomuland, Olorogun Francis Oghenero Abudu will serve as the deputy chairman and representative of Uhurhie Ruling House in the committee, while popular businessman and APC leader, Olorogun John Oguma is appointed as the committee’s vice chairman.
The Executive Director, Projects, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun (Dr.) Ebenezer Okorodudu is to serve as committee secretary. Olorogun Steve Ovedje will act as the Public Relations Officer, while a retired Exploration Manager with Chevron and businessman, Olorogun Jacob Diedjomahor, is the committee treasurer.
Other members of the committee include a former Managing Director of NDDC and Political Adviser to Delta Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo; chairman and CEO of the Ibru Organisation, Olorogun Oscar Ibru; former Ughelli South chairman, Olorogun (Dr.) Richard Kofi; former president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and renowned hotelier, Mr. Goodie Ibru; former Oceanic Bank MD, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, Olorogun (Mrs.) Grace Aghoghovbia and Francis Aghoroh.
The list also has the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Ekeme Ohwovoriole SAN; Publisher of Niger Delta Today, Mr. Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen; Zonal Minister with the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Deacon Innocent Adams Ovbagbedia; Olorogun Godwin Ogbon; Secretary of Olomu Council of Chiefs, Olorogun John Ewenede and Senior Correspondent with Vanguard Newspapers and lawyer, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire Esq.
Also appointed into the burial committee are; Olorogun Jabin Oghomena; Olorogun Onome Dema; Olorogun Ejogbamu Ogbon; DBS Warri Correspondent, Comrade Nelson Miller; Princess (Mrs) Josephine Ekukpe; Prince Ejiro Ovbagbedia; Princess (Mrs) Evelyn Agholor; Imonikoko Diemuku; Olorogun Ese Adehor; Olorogun Osiobe; Olorogun Edirin Abamwa; Olorogun Ukpeibo and Olorogun Oboramrereyere.
The statement added that the official date for the burial of the departed monarch would be announced after the inauguration of the committee.
