By Emma Arubi
WARRI- Thousands of people of oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State yesterday gathered at Ode-Ugborodo, the traditional headquarters of the five communities that make up Ugborodo and restated their allegiance to the Olu of Warri Kingdom, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli saying that they are Itsekiris with one Language and one king.
The Eghare-aja (Head) of Ugborodo, Pa. Wellington Ojogor in his welcome address to the Chiefs, elders, leaders, youths and women of Ugborodo extraction to a press conference to address the people on the initiatives that recently restored peace and stability to the once troubled community stated that they remain Itsekiris under the overlordship of the Olu of Warri.
The press statement of the community which was read by the Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC), Barr. Austine Oborogbeyi stated: “for the purpose of repetition, Ugborodo Community is part and parcel of Warri Kingdom under the Overlordship of the Olu of Warri”, adding that a few months ago “persons with questionable characters and without the requisite authority of the community made publications in the media distorting the historical narrative of Ugborodo”.
The statement appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the leadership of the security agencies, Chief of Army and Navy, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of State Security Services for putting machinery in place to restore peace to Ugborodo and also requested that a Police Barrack be established in the community.
It noted with joy that the atmosphere of peace that has been created by the removal of criminal elements led by one Mr. Benson Dube Omadeli will provide the UCMC the opportunity to now discuss with third parties on behalf of the community and assured that all multi-nationals and contracting companies operating in Ugborodo would get their cooperation and also expect them to reciprocate same, saying that the “major obstacles to the takeoff of the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP), Ogidigben has now been demolished”.
The statement further said all indigenes of Ugborodo that have been chased out over the years by the Dube Omadeli and Ofe Pender Nene group and those who ran away in the face of the recent security crackdown on criminal elements are now free to come back in to Ugborodo provided those with criminal charges hanging on their heads reports to the Police and clear themselves of the criminal charges of murder, pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault perpetrated against some indigenes on Tuesday 22 August, 2017 for which they have been declared wanted by the Force Headquarters.
It would be recalled that the said Dube Omadeli and some other persons now at large have declared a new kingdom for themselves recently claiming they are no longer part of Warri Kingdom.
Thousands of Ugborodo indigenes including representatives of the Olu of Warri led by the Ologbotsere, Chief Ayiri Emami, Chiefs Thomas Ereyitomi, Chiefs Mercy Olowu, Mike Odeli and Eddy Olley attended the crowded event.
