Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has urged the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Govenment Area of the State, HRM, Clement Oghenerukevwe lkolo, Urukpe l, to unite the people of his kingdom.
Governor Oborevwori gave the advice when he received on courtesy visit, the Ewu-Urhobo monarch and his wife who were in Government House to express appreciation to the governor for the role he played while he was in military custody.
The governor who congratulated the monarch for his release, noted that God had delivered him, adding that the task before him was to put the people of Ewu-Urhobo together to strengthen sustainable peace and unity in the area.
Governor Oborevwori told the monarch that he had inaugurated the Ewu IDP Camp, pointing out that the camp would soon be opened.
He, therefore, assured him that the innocent people in his kingdom would not suffer, adding that his administration will do its best to resettle the displaced persons in Okuama back to the community, even as he said that it would be a gradual process.
“First, I want to congratulate you for your release. God has delivered you. When this incident happened, I told the President General when he called me to go and submit himself to the police.
“I couldn’t reach you. But when you saw your name among those declared wanted, you went and submitted yourself and because you are innocent, you have been released.
“There is nothing to fear. I told the traditional rulers that anyone that connived with the perpetrators of the heinous crime will face the wrath of the law.
“The charge before you today is to put Ewu together. Let your people be united and and you should also unite with them.
“Yes, we made effort, different stakeholders made efforts to make sure that you are released. The role that you need to play now is to put Ewu together.
“I have gone to visit the place. I was told that even you don’t know Okuama. You should know all the villages in your kingdom and unite with them.
“Today, I inaugurated the Ewu IDP camp and as from next week, the camp will be opened. First, is to bring them to the IDP camp and work with the military to see how they can be taken back to their community.
“I want to assure you that the innocent people of your kingdom will not suffer. We will do our best to resettle them but it is a gradual process. So, congratulations and welcome back,” Oborevwori added.
Earlier, the Ewu-Urhobo monarch who was accompanied by members of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council led by the Chairman of the Council and the Orodje of Okpe, HRM, Maj-Gen Felix Mujekpero (rtd.), said he was in Government House, Asaba, to express his profound appreciation to the governor for the role he played towards his release from military custody.
He, also, applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the three senators from Delta State as well as others for their collective and individual efforts that facilitated his release by the military.
While condemning the tragic Okuama incident that led to the demise of four military officers and 13 soldiers, the monarch reiterated that he knew nothing about the dastardly act, just as he commended his people, the Urhobo nation, Deltans and Nigerians for their prayers and solidarity during his trying moments.
Also speaking during the visit, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Orhue l, who presented the released monarch to the governor, said traditional rulers in the state were deeply touched by the trauma that one of their own went through in the hands of the military for three weeks.
He, therefore, sued for peace in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom and other parts of the state so as to fast-track sustainable development in all sectors of the state’s economy.