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By Young Erhiurhoro, Warri
Unenurhie community, an autonomous community in Evwreni kingdom, Ughelli North LGA of Delta state, was recently a beehive of traditional activities as the community appointed a new deputy speaker in the person of Dr. Johnson Etanuvwoma Abrucha, a renowned and popular traditional medicine practitioner. The event which took place in the ancestral hall of the community according to their tradition and custom, was performed by the community speaker, Mr. Joseph Bicycle, on behalf of the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom, His Highness, Moses Inore.
The cultural event which drew both men and women of the community was earlier done by the Enurhie Quarters of the community whose turn was to nominate, select and present their choice to the Unenurhie people. This nomination and selection process was successfully done by the Enurhie people at the residence of Pa. Julius Arererian, the oldest man of Enurhie Quarters, where Dr. Abrucha was nominated and duly selected according to the traditional process.
Immediately after the public presentation of the nominee to the Unenurhie people, the community speaker performed the necessary cultural rites on the nominee and thereafter presented him to the entire community as the new deputy speaker of the community to great applause and jubilation. The speaker however advised the new deputy speaker to always support him to carry out their traditional duties of the community mouthpiece and to also assist the Odion’Rode in running the day to day traditional affairs of the community to bring peace and development to the people.
Also speaking at the event was the president general of the community, Mr. Peter Maison.
He said, “The position of the deputy speaker of the community is a very important position in the Odion’Rode Council of Elders/Chiefs. According to the hierarchy of positions in the council, the deputy speaker is the third man. So the position is a highly respected position in our community. Secondly, as a community, we have decided to run an open door government. Never again we shall do anything in secret as was the case before our time. This is why you see that, in any little issue, the entire community must be carried along and we take our decisions based on common interest. I’m happy that my brother was nominated and accepted by the generality of the people today. I want to advise him to always listen to the elders and always report back to the people whenever he has any challenge.”
Responding, the newly appointed deputy speaker, Dr. Johnson Etanuvwoma Abrucha, said, “I’m the happiest person today as the community, especially the elders in my quarters saw in me the qualities of a good speaker and made me the deputy speaker of the community. I think, it’s a moment that calls for celebration. I can’t really beat my chest that I will do all without confronting challenges, but I strongly believe in my God to lead me successfully in the course of discharging my traditional duties to my people. I want to thank Odion’Rode and the elders of Enurhie for a work well done. I must also thank my dear president general for the trust he has on me. Please, let’s celebrate together.”
However at the reception ground in his residence, prayers for blessings and joy were offered by the celebrant’s father, Pa. Samson Ughojor Abrucha, who is now the oldest man (Okpako-Orere) of Unenurhie community and also the chief priest of Owhorhu cultural festival.
