Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin has urged elders and youths of Obaretin Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local government Area of Edo State to respect lawful decisions of Odionwere (Community head), Pa. Igiebor Imuetinyan and seek the view before carrying out any administrative functions.
Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin who spoke on behalf of Oba, gave the ruling after listening to the various submissions of parties in a petition written by some elders in the Community against Pa. Igiebor Imuetinyan, who could not return to his Community due to the alleged siege to his maternal home in the past, to Oba Palace.
Chief Obamwonyi explained that despite health challenges of Pa. Igiebor Imuetinyan remains the duly appointed Odionwere of Obaretin by Oba Ewuare II to administer the Community on his behalf, without any interference by ‘meddlesome interlopers’.
He particularly mandated the Ozukpogieva (second elderly man), Pa Igiebor Omokaro and other elders (Edion) in the Community to shun unlawful activities that could undermine peace in Obaretin Community and accord the Odionwere, Pa. Igiebor Imuetinyan what is due to him henceforth, despite his health challenges.
Chief Esere asserted that if the palace directive is flouted, Pa. Omokaro and other elders of in the Community would be held accountable.
According to him, “Odionwere is the only one Omo N’Oba duly authorized to administer the Community on his behalf. More so when the Community head is still alive, no other individual has the power or right to otherwise in line with Benin customs and tradition”.
He also cautioned elders of Obarerin Community, including Pa Igiebor Omokaro who earlier requested the Palace to explain the procedure for induction of worthy indigenes of the Community into Elders’ Council of the Community, not to allow youths ride roughshod on them in decision-making.
Chief Uyi Okungbowa, the Ogua of Benin and Chief Issac Oghafua, the Oyeoba of Benin, who spoke in a similar vein, directed the second elderly man in Obaretin Community, Pa. Igiebor Omokaro and other elders to make it a priority and personally present qualified indigenes of Obaretin Community that are due to be inducted into the elders’ Council of the Community to the Odionwere for approval, and thereafter perform the traditional rites, in line with Benin Customs and tradition.
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