OKPANAM/Nigeria: Several indigenes of Okpanam Community, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State including the Diokpa-isi of the community, Ogbueshi Frederick Ugbene, other aged, men, women and the I in the area have described the late Diokpa-isi of Ogbeosadi Village, Ogbueshi Stephen Nwaokeleke Okolo as a man full of integrity, transparency and a bridge builder whose efforts have contributed immensely towards transforming his community.
The Diokpa-isi of Okpanam, Ogbueshi Frederick Ugbene, Ogbueshi Norbert Mokwenye and Ogbueshi Sunday Nwanze, who made the description during the commissioning of the Ogwa- Ukwu Ogbeosadi Village (town hall) and the unveiling of a portrait in honour of Ogbueshi Stephen Okolo who initiated the building of the edifice, stressed the need for the people to continue to love one another and live in peace.
Ogbueshi Mokwenye particularly eulogized Ogbueshi Stephen Okolo for his laudable initiative, vision and commitment to the progress of not only his Ogbeosadi Village, Obodogwugwu Quarters but Okpanam Community in general.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Ogbueshi Sunday Nwanze and Mr. Chinwe Okolo commended the commitment of Ogbueshi Stephen Okolo in living behind worthy legacies for the younger generation.
In his remarks, an aide to Chief Patrick Ukah , the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Comrade Lucky Okolo, who described his father as a proactive leader who played pivotal role in the socio-economic growth and development of Ogbeosadi community, said in showcasing the humanitarian dispositions of their father, the working committee of Ogbeosadi considered it imperative to empower as well as reward the youths of the community with three motorcycles and the women with cash as well giant cow was donated to the people.
Comrade Lucky Okolo, popularly known as DrSocial lauded the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah for his resounding contributions towards the develoment of Okpanam Kingdom and for finding him worthy to work with him.
Earlier in his address, presented by His son, Engr. Charles Udo Okolo, the Diokpa-isi of Ogbeosadi community, Ogbueshi Stephen Okolo traced the foundation laying of the Ogwa Ukwu Ogbeosadi started on June 4, 2020 under his reign as the Diokpa-isi of Ogbeosadi as one of his legacy projects for his people.
Ogbueshi Okolo, who appreciated the Diokpa-isi of Okpanam, Ogbueshi Fredrick Ugbene for finding time to grace the ceremony, the Okpanam monarch, Chief (Dr) Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, Ogbueshi Sunday Nwanze, elder Paul Okocha, the Rev. Fr. Charles as well as all the Ogbueshis together with the youths in the community for their support, advised the elders and youths of the community through love and unity , contribute to the preservation of the town hall even as he urged them to make effective use of the edifice.
While calling on his subjects not to compromise the existing peace and unity in the community, Ogbueshi Okolo urged his people to sustain the genuine legacies of their transited leaders and support the next Diokpa-isi that would come after him in order to move the community forward.
At the end of the commissioning / unveiling of Ogbueshi Stephen Okolo, certain resolutions including that the Ogwa Ukwu Ogbeosadi shall be and remain the Secretariat of Ogbeosadi village, that all Izu(meetings) of Ogbeosadi community, Okpanam shall be convened at other place than the Ogwa Ogbeosadi that the institutions, decisions, treaties and documentations under the Diokpa Is Stephen Okolo remained valid and in force , that Diokpa Stephen Okolo led Land Recovery Committee remain sacrosanct, and that the Ogwa remained the socio-cultural epic Centre of Ogbeosadi community among other resolutions.
