From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A former commissioner for information and strategy in Bayelsa State, Chief Nathan Egba-Dienagha, has emerged as Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Chiefs Council (OKCC) in Brass Local Government Area of the state.
In a keenly contested election at the community hall in Abainama, Okpoama Kingdom, Egba-Dienegha defeated his opponent, Chief Diepreye Inengibofa-Asapurabo, with 29 votes to 27 to emerge chairman of the Chiefs Council for the next two years.
Others elected were Chief Tuboibinyo Warighaye-Dundas (Vice Chairman); Chief Inenyo Yousuo-Ogbulu (Secretary); Chief Eremiete David-Deigh (Assistant Secretary); Chief Isaac Calmday-Ezekiel (Treasurer); Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo (Financial Secretary); Chief David Okolai-Otiete (Public Relations Officer) while Chief Kingsley Ikoko-Karibo and Chief Wapaemi Amagbe Aniki were elected Provost 1 and 2, respectively.
Speaking shortly after his election and inauguration, Chief Egba-Dienagha, said it was time to work hard to put Okpoama Kingdom back on the path of progress and sustainable development.
He enjoined all citizens of the kingdom to rally around the new Chiefs Council leadership to bring about peace and prosperity to the people, especially the youth and women.
The new chairman thanked the former leadership of the Chiefs Council for the role they played in maintaining peace in the kingdom and urged them to support the new leadership in the interest of the overall development of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, led by Tonye Yemoleigha, has congratulated Egba-Dienagha on his emergence as chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Council of Chiefs.
The NUJ, in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Council, Stanley Imgbi, described the former information commissioner as a seasoned human resource manager and administrator, whose wealth of experience will impact the Okpoama Kingdom positively under his leadership.
It, however, urged the new Council of Chiefs chairman to bring an innovative approach to the leadership and run an all-inclusive system to foster unity, peace, and development for the overall benefit of the people of Okpoama.
While wishing Chief Egba-Dienagha well in his new assignment, the NUJ State Council equally called on the Okpoama people to rally round him in order for him to achieve his set objectives.