By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
The elders and leaders of Odja sub-quarters and Erovie quarters of Uwheru kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have reaffirmed High Chief Edward Eyamu as “the Otota of Odja sub-quarters, the Otota of Erovie quarters and finally the Otota’Rode of Uwheru Kingdom” amidst cheers and jubilation from the people.
A vote of confidence was equally passed on the traditional chief as the ‘Otota’Rode’ of Uwheru kingdom by the elders and leaders during the meeting.
The reaffirmation and vote of confidence which were done during a traditional meeting convened by the elders of the quarters and held at the Odja traditional hall, brought together elders and traditional chiefs from the three sub-quarters, making up the Erovie quarters, to broker peace and unity in the quarters and in the entire Uwheru kingdom.
Speaking to our correspondent under condition of anonymity immediately after the meeting, a highly respected chief in the Erovie quarters said, “Today we are happy as we generally reaffirmed High Chief Edward Eyamu as the Otota’Rode of Uwheru kingdom and also passed vote of confidence on him.
“It was a consensus decision by everybody present in this meeting. We called this meeting to balance the system of our traditional leadership in the kingdom. We want to maintain the part of equity, fairness and justice in sharing important traditional leadership positions in the kingdom.
“For instance, we have three major sub-quarters making the Erovie quarters. Uhwovioro sub-quarters has produced the Odion’Rode of Uwheru kingdom. That sub-quarters can’t produce the Otota’Rode of the kingdom again. This is why the Odja sub-quarters have to produce it. We did this to create equity, fairness and justice in the leadership system and to also create sense of participation to every part of the quarters in the spirit of love and unity,” he said.
After the reaffirmation process, the ‘Otota’Rode,’ High Chief Edward Eyamu, who was highly elated, offered prayers and poured libations on the forebears of the quarters in the presence of all the people in the traditional hall as his first traditional service to the people.
He told our correspondent after the prayer session that, “I’m indeed grateful to all the elders and leaders of Erovie quarters for reposing such a great confidence on me today, believing me to do the work of the Otota’Rode perfectly well. I want to assure them that, I won’t disappoint them in any way since they really clamoured for peace and unity in the kingdom. I want to also plead with them to give me the needed support to pilot the affairs of my office as the Otota’Rode of the kingdom at every time I need such support.
“I want to also beg our leaders to always respect laid down procedures in selecting traditional leaders in the kingdom to avoid litigations and communal clashes. What our elders and leaders did today has gone to prove to the world that, Uwheru people are matured and responsible in every of their decisions. Once again, I thank all of them especially the facilitators of this meeting,” he said.
Among Odja sub-quarters indigenes that also lend their voices in the reaffirmation in the meeting from the Diaspora were Prof. Sam Ogege, CSP Ben Igometi, Mr Austin Agbogu, Chief Reuben Ekpubeni and the oldest man of Odja sub-quarters, Sir Johnson Ighomereho (Commissioner of Police – rtd).
