By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
Unenurhie community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State has declared a two-day mourning period as their traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Moses Inore, the Odion’Rode of Unenurhie peacefully joined ancestors.
Making the official announcement to members of the community at the traditional ancestral hall, the Otota’Rode (Chief Speaker) of Unenurhie community, Chief Frank Imudje, supported by the Akpohor (Deputy Speaker), Dr. Johnson Abrucha and other members of the Odion’Rode-In-Council said, “As our traditions and customs demand, on behalf of the Odion’Rode-In-Council, I as the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community hereby announce to the entire Unenurhie community and the world that, our Odion’Rode, HRH, Moses Inore had peacefully joined his ancestors some time now.
“Though we regret his passage as our monarch, but at the same time, we make the information public and accessible to everybody. However, the preparation of the rites of passage for the departed monarch by the community and his family would soon be announced to the community.”
The Otota’Rode further said, “According to our culture and with the permission of the Odion’Rode-In-Council, I hereby declare a two-day mourning period for all the indigenes and residents of Unenurhie community to mourn our departed monarch.
“The mourning period shall begin on this Sunday and close on Monday. For these two days, there shall be no marriage or funeral events or any other social ceremonies in the community. There shall be no gathering for happiness or rejoicing of any kind by any person or group of people in the community. For these two days, nobody as an indigene or a resident of this community shall step out of this community for farming activities in any of our farmlands or opening of provisional stores to sell anything. These two days are solemn and sacred and are declared to mourn our departed Odion’Rode. May his soul rest in peace!”
Responding on behalf of the community after the Otota’Rode made his announcements and declarations, the Akpohor of Unenurhie community, Dr. Johnson Abrucha and the president-general of the community, Mr. Peter Maison, thanked the members of the Odion’Rode-In-Council for keeping to the customs and traditions of the Unenurhie people on how such sacred issues relating to traditional institutions are being handled.
The duo therefore called on sons and daughters of Unenurhie community, within and in the diaspora to join hands with the community leadership in order to give a befitting funeral to the departed Odion’Rode when the time comes.
