AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN, THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, AT THE PRESENTATION OF STAFF OF OFFICE TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, FELIX OMAVUEWEGRE AGBABE EKPOLO II, THE OVIE OF OKPE-ISOKO ON MONDAY, 03 DECEMBER, 2007.

Members of the Delta State House of Assembly,
Members of the State Executive Council,
Chairman, Isoko North Transition Committee,
Top Government Functionaries,
Your Royal Highnesses,
His Royal Highness, Felix Omavuewegre Agbabe Ekpollo II, the Ovie of Okpe-Isoko,

My Lords, Spiritual and Temporal,
Eminent Sons and Daughters of Okpe-Isoko,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are here to felicitate, not only with His Royal Highness, Felix Omavuewegre Agbabe Ekpolo II, but with the entire people of Okpe-Isoko on this joyous occasion of the presentation of staff of office to His Royal Majesty.

I commend the entire people of Okpe-Isoko for the peaceful and smooth ascension of His Royal Highness to the traditional stool of his ancestors. I sincerely hope that such harmony that attended the ceremony of today will continue to reign in this community as sustainable development can only best be realised in a peaceful environment.

Your Royal Highness, as the traditional ruler of this Kingdom, you are expected to be the rallying point of your people. I sincerely ask you to identify and promote, at all times, the genuine aspirations of your people to deepen the love and respect, which they have amply demonstrated today. Such disposition will, in turn, serve as a catalyst for more unity, love, understanding, peace, progress and development of this community. From the infectious ecstasy as being demonstrated today, I hope that your reign will usher in remarkable development in this community and be a shining example to others.

As the prescribed Authority in your kingdom, one of your duties is the conferment of chieftaincy titles on deserving persons. I appeal to your Royal Highness to be very meticulous in the choice of your subjects and other deserving persons you wish to confer chieftaincy titles. No community will be happy if anyone it honoured, is found to be among those vandalising oil pipelines, pushing drugs or involved in any other criminal activity. Wealth should not be the only yardstick for such consideration.

Permit me to use this medium to appeal to all traditional rulers in the State to be strict in the award of titles to ensure that recipients are those whose conduct will edify the awarding communities. Recipients should be able to demonstrate transparent commitment through identifying with these communities as they partner with government to ensure even and sustainable development of the State.

I need to remind your Royal Highness that, in the discharge of your responsibilities, you should endeavour to be transparently fair and just. You are the father of all your subjects and you should be even handed in dealing with them. There are several prescribed rules and norms of your people that you have to adhere to as an Ovie. As the custodian of the tradition and cultural mores of your people, it is important that you do not give them cause to doubt your integrity or ability to uphold the sanctity of your cherished customs.

I urge the sons and daughters, including friends and well wishers of Okpe-Isoko, to accord His Royal Highness, all the respect he deserves and cooperate with him, to facilitate faster and smoother progress in the community. As we savour the joy of this occasion, I appeal to all of you to assist in contributing more meaningfully to the development of this community while you extend all courtesies and due honour to the Ovie so that true peace and harmony can deepen their roots both for the good of Okpe-Isoko and the State in general.

Let me, therefore, implore Your Royal Highness and the people of Okpe-Isoko Kingdom to key into the peace and security agenda of the State government by giving priority attention to matters of security and peace in your domain. The local government election is around the corner. I appeal to all Deltans to ensure that the election will hold in a most peaceful environment devoid of bitterness and acrimony. Democracy has inbuilt mechanisms and institutions to address all grievances that arise from its practice. We should endeavour to play by the rules and abide by all the prescribed regulations guiding the election. That is the best approach to avoid giving democracy a bad face.

Once again, I congratulate His Royal Highness, Felix Omavuewegre Agbabe Ekpolo II, the Ovie of Okpe-Isoko, on his successful ascension to the throne of his ancestors. I urge you to reciprocate the kind gesture of your people through ensuring that enduring peace continues to reign in this community.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is now my honour and privilege to formally present the staff of office to His Royal Highness, Felix Omavuewegre Agbabe Ekpolo II, the Ovie of Okpe-Isoko.

I wish you a most successful reign.

Office of the Governor,
Government House,
Asaba.

December, 2007.