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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The serene Ugbine community in North East Local Government Area of Edo State was filled with joy and celebrations recently when 94-year-old Pa Jackson Osayende was installed Odionwere by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
The long awaited installation, which drew sons and daughters of the community together, paved the way for the people to shower encomiums on the Oba for installing a credible son of the community to be their Odionwere. Also installed to assist the Odionwere of the community in order of hierarchy were Pa Giaus Osarenmwinda, 93, and Pa Sunday Asemota.
The people of the community, while thanking the Oba for choosing a square peg for a square hole to oversee the affairs of the community, took their turns to bare their minds on the personality of the newly installed Odionwere.
The second in command, Pa Giaus Osarenmwinda, described Pa Osayende as a man with astute qualities, fair and just in his dealings with his fellow men. He said he has no doubt in his mind that the newly installed Odionwere will lead his people aright and administer justice to those who deserve it, pledging to work hand-in-gloves to give the Odionwere the needed support to ensure that he succeeds in his tenure.
Pa Osarenmwinda called on the people of the community to rally round the Odionwere to be able provide the right leadership for the community, even as he thanked the Benin monarch for installing Pa Osayende as the Odionwere of the community.
Also speaking, Pa Sunday Asemota, described the Odionwere as a father figure to everyone in the community, native and non native. “He has been a father figure to everyone in this community. Now that he has been installed as the Odionwere, we pray that God should grant him good health and long life.
“We will do our best to support him in all ramifications so that he can succeed and there will be progress, peace and tranquility in this community”, Asemota said.
On his part, the chief priest of the community, Pa Alfred Agbonnedeso, said the Oba of Benin has done them well by giving them a man of integrity and uprightness in the person of Osayende.
“The community has been so peaceful and I want it to be more peaceful. We don’t want crisis in this community. This community is one of the largest communities in this local government area and we want the best for it.
“The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II has done us well by installing Pa Osayende as the Odionwere of the community. We pray that God should grant our Odionwere long life, good health and wisdom to lead his people”, Agbonnedeso said.
The women were not also left out of the encomiums on the Odionwere, they said through one of their leaders, Mrs. Odigie Uwudegbe, that their joy knew no bounds having gotten Odionwere, pointing out that it is not good for a community to be without an Odionwere.
“I am so happy that we now have an Odionwere in our community. All these while, we have not been happy that we do not have an Odionwere because a community where you do not have a leader, is not a good one but today, I can say that we, the women, are very happy and we are going to support him. We, the women, have promised to rally round him in order to succeed”, Uwudegbe said.
The youth leader of the community, Dominic Edobor, while thanking the Oba of Benin for installing the new Odionwere in the community, pledged to collaborate with him to ensure that there is peace and stability in the community.
Earlier, the Odionwere, who was installed by the Oba on July 4, 2023 thanked the Benin monarch for considering him worthy for such a lofty position. He vowed never to betray the confidence reposed in him by the Oba, adding that he will lead his people aright.
He said: “I want to thank the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II for installing me as the Odionwere of this community. I want to thank the people of the community for supporting me on this.
“I want to urge everyone to shun any act that will impede the progress of this community. I want you to focus on your work for it is only when you are focused and committed to what you are doing that God can bless you.
“I want you people to join hands with me to move this community forward.”
