By Ovie Okpare
The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, has installed Chief Peter Iffie, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on community development, as the new Unuevworo (Traditional Prime Minister) of Ekpan Community in Uvwie Council area of the state.
Iffie replaces Chief Newton Agbofodo as the traditional head of Ekpan who was sentenced to death by a Delta State High Court for allegedly killing one Mr. John Mogidi in 2018.
Speaking at his palace in Effurun during the installation of the new Unuevworo on Saturday, the traditional ruler charged the people of Ekpan, host to Warri Refining and Petroleum Chemical Company (WRPC) to embrace peace.
The Uvwie monarch said he would continue to pray for peace in the community and charged the traditional leader to rule the area with truth and justice.
He urged youths in the area to concentrate on their studies as this can make then achieve anything in life rather that engaging in social vices that may truncate their progress in life and returning peace in the kingdom.
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Abe 1, while recalling the unfortunate incident that led to disrobement of the former Unuevworo, Chief Newton Agbofodoh, the monarch cautioned the new Unuevworo to always adhere to the code of conduct guarding chiefs in the kingdom and should not be found wanting.
“It’s only through prevailing peace that Ekpan and other parts of this kingdom will experience development. With sustained peace in the community, more companies would be located in Uvwie thereby creating more employment opportunities for the youths”, the Uvwie monarch said.
Speaking during a reception held in his honour, the new Unuevworo of Ekpan, Chief Iffie stressed that peace has come to stay in Ekpan, adding that he would continue to work towards enduring peace and development in the community.
He stated that he would work assiduously with critical stakeholders including the state government and the Uvwie traditional institution to resolve all outstanding issue to move the community in the part of development.
According to him, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I acknowledge the fact that the recent protracted crisis in Ekpan community has actually created fear and division during this period of infighting amongst our youths.
“ I understand that there is loss of confidence amongst ourselves; the spirit of forgiveness seems to have departed from us, due to the pains of loss of lives and properties, particularly, bereaved families of victims that were brutally killed during this period; as well as those persons or youths who suffered permanent disabilities caused by injuries, including those youths who are on self-exile.
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“Nonetheless, I hereby bring you good news; that to err is human, but to forgive is divine. Therefore, I want to assure this august gathering that the crisis era is gone and we are determined with cooperation of others to sustain the current peace in Ekpan. What that means, is that we must all agree to forgive one and other, so that we can collectively present a united front and move forward, thereby putting the past behind us.
“Let me also advise all inhabitants in Ekpan community to accept the fact and reality on ground that this new era is based on promoting justice and peace, economic growth, development as well as upholding our core cultural values. It is paramount for all of us to be law abiding, maintain high profile decorum, and uphold the highest moral values of our society. As you all are aware, no society can achieve growth and development in the absence of peaceful environment.
“We must therefore put a stop to any form of rascality and restiveness, including dishonest behavioural conducts. I want to assure you of my adept capacity to provide good leadership that will transform Ekpan Community into an enviable, prosperous, successful and standard modern society. Again, this can only be achieved with your supports and cooperation.”
