Urhobo Traditional Rulers Demand Release Of Okuama Leaders

The Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council (UTRC), also known as Ukoko R’Ivie Urhobo, has urged the federal government to facilitate the release of Okuama leaders detained by the Nigerian Army for over a year.

The plea was made by the chairman of the UTRC, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso, while donating food items to the people of Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state.

He thanked Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his support and assured the community of ongoing state assistance.

Dr Sideso was flanked by other traditional rulers, including the vice chairman, HRM Solomon Onojeta, Okunkeren III, the Ovie of Arhawarien Kingdom, the spokesman, HRM Obukowho Whiskey Udurhie I, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom and the treasurer, HRM Noble Eshemitan Ovie of Oghara Kingdom Orefe III.

He emphasised the need for continuous peace in Okuama and its neighbouring community.

On behalf of the group, he presented 500 tubers of yams, 15 bags of rice, and 5 rams to support the community, still recovering from the trauma of recent crises.

He said the Urhobo monarchs acknowledged the hardships faced by Okuama residents and expressed hopes that the festive season would bring joy to them and other Urhobo families.

In response to the Okuama president-general’s request for school furniture for a newly built school, the monarch assured that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education would provide desks and chairs.

The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Obukowho Whiskey Udurhie I, also urged the Okuama representatives to distribute the food items fairly and to maintain peace amid any conflicts with neighbours, reiterating the vital importance of harmony.

The president-general of Okuama, Mr Emmanuel Okrikira, expressed gratitude to the Urhobo traditional rulers for their generous donation and pledged to ensure that everyone in the community received a portion of the aids.

He further appealed to Governor Oborevwori to expedite the release of their detained leaders and provide the necessary school furniture.

The event followed an earlier donation of 100 mattresses to the Okuama community by the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council.