The traditional ruler of Owa kingdom, Delta north senatorial district, Obi (Dr) Emmanuel Efezomor II over the weekend celebrated his 65th anniversary on the throne.
Traditional rulers stormed the royal palace in Owa Oyibu, headquarters of Ika north east council.
The royal fathers include the Chairman Delta state traditional rulers’ council , HRM, Major General Felix Mujakpuero , Orhue1, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom who led a retinue of Delta monarchs ; HRM, the Amayanabo of Nembe in Bayelsa state, Edmund Daukoru, and HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe , Obi of Onitsha, Anambra state among others.
The state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme who led other government officials just as politicians, business tycoons , women of substance, community leaders and Owa people trooped out in large numbers to honour the 86 years old king.
Women dancing groups from the kingdom were handy to show case the alluring dances of Ika ethnic nationality.
A citation of the monarch read by Prof Eric Ebo at the occasion described Obi Efezomor 11 amongst other things as a peace builder/maker, technocrat, motivator , transformer of Owa kingdom, orator, sportsman, educationist, whose kingdom produced a governor in the person of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, immediate past governor of the state and Nicholas Okoh, the former archbishop of Abuja Province and Primate of the Church of Nigeria in the Anglican Communion now retired .
In his felicitations to the celebrant, Governor Oborevwori extolled the revered traditional ruler as a man of peace who had persevered in providing loving, compassionate and effective leadership to his people.
According to him, Obi Efeizomor, the immediate past Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, remained a wonderful representation of harmony and peace who had made good use of his position of privilege to benefit both his people and the state as a whole.
The Governor noted that Owa kingdom had experienced a significant and remarkable improvement in human capital and infrastructural development, as well as enduring peace under the reign of the Monarch.
Oborevwori said: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, Your Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr) Emmanuel Efeizomor II, OON, the Obi of Owa Kingdom, on the occasion of your 65th coronation anniversary.
“Together with your subjects and the entire Delta Traditional Rulers’ Council, I humbly and with great joy, thank God Almighty for your life. Under your reign, Owa Kingdom has remained peaceful and prosperous, and your subjects have prospered in all spheres of life.
“Over the years, you have persisted in promoting peaceful coexistence in Owa land and among their neighbours by exercising your fatherly role and offering sagely advice.
“We value your leadership and wise efforts in establishing Delta State as a peaceful state among its people and kingdoms as immediate past chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the state traditional rulers’council HRM Major General Felix Mujakpuero Orhue1 the Orodje of Okpe kingdom described the Owa monarch as a legend in terms of his vast knowledge about the traditional institution and its lore.
He said, “His reign is the only one of its kind having witnessed several transitions in government with attendant social political changes over this long period.
“His reign started during the period of the then western region of Nigeria to the creation of Midwest states, then the subsequent creation of Bendel state and the present Delta state.
“I do not know of any traditional ruler in the state with such a long history of reign graced by several social political transitions.
“Obi of Owa kingdom is indeed a legend in terms of his vast knowledge about the traditional institution and it’s lore. You will agree with me that it takes a man of rare genius to be able to navigate his way through the maze of intrigues that characterize the various level of government over this long years.
“Obi of Owa is indeed an enigma of our generation, he is a nation builder committed to the promotion of peace and development of the people of Owa, Delta state and indeed the whole of Nigeria.
“He is a royal father whose passion for education, youth and social-economic development is unrivalled. He is reputed for his uncommon servant-leader disposition.
“His reign coupled with his vast wisdom in traditional matters have transformed Owa into a modern and inviable kingdom. The formidable administrative structure that he created has stirred the kingdom in a direction that has earned the people respect from far and wide.
“He revived, mobilised and supported several community organizations of Ndi-Owa including the Owa patriotic Union, Owa development committee, Owa youth association and Boji-Boji Owa community development committee. He has authored several books and has given active support to the establishment of calvary polytechnic, oOwa-Oyibo and he is the current visitor to the school.
“As our revered Obi of Owa clocked 86 years on the 10th of March this year, it is a double blessing that he is celebrating his 65th coronation anniversary. ”
In his exhortation at the occasion, the Bishop of Ika diocese of Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion, Geoffrey Ekpenishi harped on the significance of leadership with vision and creativity.
According to him, “the world is changing and we must change with the world.”
He said leaders at all levels have a duty to provide leadership for the new generation in a world that is ever changing without which families and indeed Nigeria will face alot of problems.
The Clergyman said leadership should be geared towards developing intelligence, emotional balance, transparency, accountability and sustainability and above all “the one that will bridge the gap between present generation and next generation otherwise “we will be leaders that knows nothing”.
The cleric however warned that whatever one does, Jesus Christ should remain the ultimate in changing the world to a better place.
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