By Abel Johngold Orheruata
OBINOMBA/Nigeria: The Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has charged the king and people of Umukwata Kingdom to give priority attention to matters of security in their domain.
Governor Okowa made the charge on Friday, 29th September, 2017, while presenting Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Friday Abaja, the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata Kingdom, in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, implored the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata to work closely with the law enforcement agencies and the chairman of the local government council to ensure that peace and security prevail in his domain.
Governor Okowa who noted that Umukwata kingdom is well known for its abundant agricultural production, use the opportunity to call on the sons and daughters of Umukwata Kingdom to take advantage of the various programmes of government particularly the Delta State Micro-Credit Program and others, to improve on their production capacities.
He urged them to form cooperative societies, so that they can access credit facilities to increase and add value to their harvests.
While congratulating His Royal Majesty, Friday Abaja on his appointment and recognition as the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata Kingdom, Governor Okowa appeal to him to discharge his responsibilities in a transparent manner by being fair and just to all his subjects.
His words: “As custodian of the tradition of your people, it is important that you do not in words or action, give cause to your subjects to doubt your ability to uphold the sanctity of their traditional norms. I sincerely apeal to you to imbibe the democratic virtues of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with everyone that needs your attention”. The governor stated.
Governor Okowa urged the people to strive to promote the integrity of the stool by according His Royal Majesty the respect and honour he truly deserve.
While congratulating King Friday Abaja for his succesful accession to the prestigious throne, the State Governor commended the people of Umukwata Kingdom for the peaceful processes that led to the unanimous choice of His Royal Majesty, Friday Abaja, as the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata Kingdom.
Earlier in her address, the Chairperson of Ukwuani Local Government Council, Hon. Benedicta Osakuni said the presentation of Staff of Office to the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata Kingdom was a clear indication that Government has acknowledged the kingdom as an autonomous kingdom in the State.
While describing the King as a father to all Ndokwa people, the Council boss advised him no to relent in the vanguard of anything that Will advance peace and accelerate development of the town.
The Ukwata one of Umukwata Friday Abaja thanked the state government for the recognition and pledged to carry all along in the scheme of things.
He called on the state government and indigenes of the agrarian community to work as a team in addressing the infrastructural challenges bedevilling the area.
