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“Without doubt or illusion, nothing happens on planet Earth without the approval and knowledge of God Almighty. Thus, before David was anointed as king of Israel, it was already established in the spiritual. So also it is today for His Royal Highness, Eze Amb. Dr G.B. Odum (Igwugwu-Oha 1).”
~ Sir Prince C Daniel (Secretary, Planning Committee)
By Paul Williams
For the past twenty-four years of its history, the Oginigba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has by all accounts experienced the best in traditional ruler-ship, witnessing marked progress on all indices of human development.
At the centre of this progress is the natural ruler of Oginigba, His Royal Highness, Eze Amb. Dr Gershon Bekwele Odum, paramount ruler/Nyenwe-Eli Oginigba (Igwugwu-Oha 1), who marked his 24th year on the throne and 81st birthday on Saturday, June 30, 2018.
In a break-down of the ‘Decision Tree,’ and analysis of the traditional ruler-ship in Oginigba, secretary of the planning committee for the anniversary celebration, Sir Prince Daniel, described Eze Odum as a pragmatic leader, ordained by God to lead his people in the path of goodness, peace and progress.
In the last 24 years of the Odum reign, analysts say, Oginigba has experienced remarkable progression in most, if not all, areas of human capital development.
Taking full advantage of the community’s strategic location as an industrial hub, the Oginigba monarch and his council of chiefs have articulated a defined and sustained system of riding on the back of this advantage to enhance their capacity and development potentials.
Today, Oginigba boasts of not only infrastructure and physical development, but also of a human capital index that is among the best in the state.
At the core of the Odum reign, observers have said, is the notion of peace and respect for the culture and traditions of the people, as catalyst for societal development. This has resulted in his recognition/award as an Ambassador of Peace, and his painstaking efforts to set on record the culture and traditions of his people, through the writing of the book: ‘The System of Traditional Rule in Evo Nu Apara Kingdom.’
In the first paragraph of page IV of ‘The System of Traditional Rule in Evo Nu Apara Kingdom,’ the Ogingba monarch succinctly enthused that “the traditional institution is the most important in the governance of the people. It is the closest to the people. When there are crises or tussle in it, the entire system will collapse.
In loving summary of her father’s 24 years on the throne of his fathers, Eze Odum’s first daughter, Ada Duchess Daughter Mabinton, said of her father: “As a traditional ruler, you leave no stone unturned in achieving peace, success and unity for your people. As a leader per excellence, your values and faith in God have kept you going, making your reign a prosperous one worthy of emulation.”
In the words of Nyenwe-Eli Oginigba himself, on the occasion of his 81st birthday: “Oginigba is a cosmopolitan community that F: hosts a very large shore of Nigeria society because of some of the corporate organizations operating in our jurisdiction. I don’t think any community in Rivers State host divers people from all over the world like Oginigba, yet everybody goes about their business peacefully without intimidation, because of the well constituted leadership authority in the community.
“As a community of well-organized and broadly governed people, Oginigba believes in grassroots democratic process and system of living affairs of the Three Integral Villages that constitute the Oginigba Community, we have our village men and women meetings, we have our central governing council of the’.: community Development Committee (CDC), the Oginigba Youth Association, the Land Recovery and Sanitation Committee and then the Eze-in-Council of Chiefs who are the apex body that administers issues of the community welfare and progress with the Royal Highness as President.
“My administration has done well and will continue to do well on the area of human resources development, educational pursuit, women empowerment, Youth skill acquisition because when you empower the people you develop the ‘community, state, country and the world at large. Above all the peace, unity, progress and development of our people is my utmost concern and essence of existence as a progressive minded person,” he said.
Eze Odum, perhaps buttressing his daughter’s succinct summary, told the gathering at his 81st birthday celebration that he “I have not also lost sight of the social, economic and traditional responsibilities of my position as Igwugwu Oha 1, which is for the benefits, growth and development of Indigenes and residents of Oginigba Community all these years, as I give God all glory and thanksgiving for the peace, protection and safety of all in the community.
“Although it has not been easy leading the people all these years, most times there were quarries and disagreement but we have been able to resolve our differences without letting it degenerate to violence. This peaceful disposition of the people is one of the strongest heritage of Oginigba legacy derived from history which I pray should continue because where there is no peace development cannot strive.
Described as “a great man with humble beginnings,” Eze Gershon Odum was born on June 16, 1937 into the Anyaogwu Ruling Dynasty. His biography reads that he completed his standard six (Primary] Education in 1956, “and took private tutorials for a while to broaden his knowledge before he opted for a secular job. The most significant aspect of him is that, he is highly detribalized and does not discriminate, as he accepts everybody as one.
“Eze Odum is a distinguished servant-leader per excellence and it is on this score and perhaps others that an International Organization, Suo Motu found him worthy and awarded him a Doctorate Degree in Leadership under the auspices of God’s Hands Ministries in conjunction with St Thomas a-Becket and Wesley Synod, Canterbury, England, by His Excellency, the Primate, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Cowles (MCAI).
“In December 16, 1994, His Royal Majesty Eze Dr. Frank Eke (JP), CON, Eze Gbakagbaka, Eze Oha Evo 11 of Evo Kingdom in Ikwerre Ethnic nationality of Rivers State installed him as the Igwugwu-Oha 1
The Rivers State Government in 2002, being satisfied with his leadership roles and peaceful trait in administering the Industrial nucleus of the Niger Delta, Trans Amadi Industrial area, appointed him a “Justice of the Peace” (JP).
“Also in 2004, an International Peace Movement known as the Inter-Religious and International Peace Federation for World Peace, adjudged his leadership capabilities as responsible for the peaceful and violence free atmosphere in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout; and accordingly honoured him with the International Peace Award of “Ambassador for Peace”.
“Eze Odum is also a receipt of both local and international Awards. In 2010, the African Update International Magazine Presented to him “Man of the Year Award 2011”, just as Global News conferred on him the “African Achiever Leadership Award”, in recognition of his excellent performance in Africa. Also, same year 2011, the Independent Publishers Association of Nigeria (IPAN] honoured him with the “Golden Excellence Award” for his Excellent Leadership and Community Development, honesty, hard-work and transparency. In January 2012, the Greywood Network Ltd, honoured him with the “Most Amazing Hero Award” for contributing so much to traditional institution and mankind at large. In 8th January, 2012, at the international conference center Abuja, the structure Medial limited presented him the “West African Icon Award”. And in January 21st 2012, he was awarded a “Meritorious Award” by the Comment Media limited for his contributions to community development.
