By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
The president-general of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union (ECIU), Prince Kenneth Ukpebitere, and members of his national executive committee have paid a courtesy visit to the Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom, HRM, Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, Eruvwedede III.
The visit, which was on March 29, 2024, at the Ovie’s palace, our correspondent gathered, was to introduce the newly elected members of the ECIU to the monarch.
Addressing the king and members of his traditional council, the president-general, Prince Kenneth Ukpebitere told the king that, “Our major purpose of coming to the palace today is to formerly introduce ourselves to the king of Evwreni Kingdom as the newly elected members of the ECIU.
“As it’s today, we know we have enormous challenges before us in the government, and the only way to overcome them is to partner with the king, other traditional institutions and stakeholders to bring about justice, everlasting peace and development to the Evwreni people.
“Your Majesty, I want to inform you that we are elected on December 16, 2023. We would have been here before now, but for putting together one or two things for the smooth running of our administration. Therefore, I want to assure the king on behalf of my executive body that we are here to partner with him to bring justice, peace, and unity back to the Evwreni kingdom. We also need your prayers and co-operation as the royal father,” he said.
Responding, the Ovie of Evwreni kingdom, HRM, Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, Eruvwedede III congratulated the president-general, Prince Kenneth Ukpebitere and his executive for winning the ECIU elections.
He said, “I never knew Evwreni kingdom had a new president-general before now. But today, as you and your entire executive body pay visit to me in this my palace, I can now recognize you as duly elected president-general of Evwreni Kingdom.
“We will work together to achieve justice and restore peace in the kingdom. Once peace can be restored in the kingdom, then development will follow without delays. Let’s put our house together. We shouldn’t seek a third party before we settle our grievances,” the monarch said.
Those who attended the event were the DPO of Ughelli Police Station, ‘A’ Division, High Chief Joseph Aduge, the Iyasere of Evwreni Kingdom, Prince Ochuko Kumane, Chief John Iyu, Chief Efe Oshenye, Chief Gordon Ogbovwa, the palace spokesman and Chief Peter Achayo, the Otota of Uneni community. Others were Chief Onoruese, the Akpohor of Evwreni Kingdom, Chief Goddy Awenuvie, Hon Arue Odeimor, the immediate past councillor of Evwreni Ward, Mrs Rebecca Igbeka, the Osu-Ewheya of Evwreni kingdom and her cabinet, Mr. Clever Owhe, Mr. Paul Waka and some Evwreni youths.