BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
DELTA State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Council, HRM, Clement Oghenerukevwe lkolo, Urukpe l, to unite the people of his kingdom.
Oborevwori, who gave the advice when he received Ikolo and his wife, who were in Government House, Asaba to express appreciation for his role while he was in military custody, congratulated the monarch over his release, noting that God had delivered him.
The governor stated that the task before the monarch now is to bring the people of Ewu-Urhobo together to strengthen sustainable peace and unity in the area.
He told the monarch that he has inaugurated the Ewu IDP Camp, which would soon be opened, and a committee to oversee the rehabilitation and resettle the displaced Okuama people.
He, therefore, assured Ikolo that innocent people in his kingdom would not suffer, as his administration would do its best to resettle displaced Okuama indigenes back to their community, even as he noted that the exercise would be a gradual process.
“First, I want to congratulate you for your release. God has delivered you. When this incident happened, I told the president general when he called me to go and submit himself to the Police.
“I couldn’t reach you, but when you saw your name among those declared wanted, you went and submitted yourself, and because you are innocent, you have been released.
“There is nothing to fear. I told the traditional rulers that anyone that connived with the perpetrators of the heinous crime will face the wrath of the law.”
The governor continued: “The charge before you today is to put Ewu together. Let your people be united, and and you should also unite with them.
“Yes, we made effort, different stakeholders made efforts to make sure that you are released. The role that you need to play now is to put Ewu together.
“I have gone to visit the place. I was told that even you don’t know Okuama. You should know all the villages in your kingdom and unite with them.
“Today, I inaugurated the Ewu IDP Camp and as from next week, the camp will be opened. First is to bring them to the IDP Camp and work with the military to see how they can be taken back to their community.
“I want to assure you that the innocent people of your kingdom will not suffer. We will do our best to resettle them, but it is a gradual process.
“So, congratulations and welcome back.”
Earlier, the Ewu-Urhobo monarch, accompanied by members of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, led by its Chairman and the Orodje of Okpe, HRM, Maj-Gen Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), said he was in Government House to express his profound appreciation to the governor for the role he played towards his release from military custody.
He also lauded President Bola Tinubu, immediate past governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the three senators from Delta State and others for their collective and individual efforts that facilitated his release by the military.
While condemning the tragic Okuama incident that led to the killing of the soldiers, Ikolo restated his innocence in the dastardly act, just as he commended his people, the Urhobo nation, Deltans and Nigerians for their prayers and solidarity during his trying moments.
Also speaking, Mujakperuo, who presented Ikolo to Oborevwori, said traditional rulers in the state were deeply touched by the trauma that one of their own went through in the hands of the military for three weeks.
He, therefore, sued for peace in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom and other parts of the state, so as to fast-track sustainable development in all sectors of the state’s economy.
