Concerned elders of Oke-Oroma village in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have commended the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and His royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin for restoring their statutory rights and independent status.
This followed after years of alleged hostility between Oke-Oroma and Amagba Adolor people in Oredo Local Government Area — separated by Oroma river, which is a natural boundary between them.
Elders of Oke-Oroma, armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, depicting their agitations, along with their neighbours from Obagie N’ Evbuosa, declared disclosed this during a solidarity rally in the village where they pledged their loyalty and support to the Governor for upholding the decision of the Benin monarch, who declared that Amagba Adolor and Oke-Oroma villages are separate villages.
The elders revealed that the intervention has not brought a sigh of relief to Oke-Oroma people and assured that they are determined to obey despite past attempts by the aggressors in the Communal conflict that led to the displacement of scores of people from their ancestry while many others are alleged to be unaccounted for, to undermine peace, which has returned to Oke-Oroma village.
One of the elders in Oke-Oroma, Mr Osahon Eghaghe Emokpae, paid tributes to Oba Ewuare and Governor Okpebholo who stood behind them and ensure that their decision of Oba Ewuare stands, despite the contravention of certain individuals from neighbouring village.
“This river (Oroma) stretches across to Oghoghobi Community in Sapele road from this point”, according to Eghaghe, “since creation. This river separated Amagba and Obazagbon Communities both in Oredo LGA from Oke-Oroma and Obagie N’ Evbuosa Communities in Ikpoba-Okha LGA.
He, wondered why their aggressors would trespass Oredo LGA and encroach into land in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, in a bid to grab their ancestral land, having understood that nature (Oroma river), holds the cure for the conflict.
This sentiment was echoed by another elder from Obagie N’ Evbuosa village, Pa. Edosomwan Ekenomaighele, explained that while Amagba and Obazagbon are both in Oredo LGA, Oke-Oroma and Obagie N’evbuosa are both in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, and share common ancestry and united since the areas were founded Centuries ago, alleging that the conflict is being fueled by merchants of violence and land grabbers in their neighborhood.
Another native of Oke-Oroma village, Mrs Hannah Eghaghe, thanked Oba Ewuare and Governor Okpebholo’s endorsement of their agitation, is anchored on the principles of fairness and respect for human rights of Edo people.
He stated that they are eternally grateful to almighty God, that their children and loved ones who fled their homes during the period of hostility are settling down in peace and redefining their lives.
Spotlighting the divisive move by some elders of Amagba Adolor to re-write of Oke-Oroma and attempt to history and attempt to ambush justice during their recent protest to Oba of Benin Palace, Mr Osasco Osadolor from Oke-Oroma, explained that the boundary dispute has already be settle, following the Oba of Benin decision on the crisis, but noted that vigilance remains the watchward of Oke-Oroma people.
He acknowledged the fatherly roles of the traditional institution and the State government for stopping past attempts by land grabbers from their neighbouring village to draw victory from the jaws of the oppressed.
Lending his voice to the agitation, Pa. Omozuhiomwen Aiguobatile, the Odionwere of Obagie N’evbuosa, whose maternal parent hails from Amagba Community, affirmed that Oroma river has being the boundary between Oke-Oroma and Amagba Adolor, citing Oba Akenzua and Oba Erediauwa and Oba Ewuare judgements.
The super Centenarian, warned against forceful attempts by certain actors in the conflict to scuttle the existing peace move by the Oba of Benin and the Governor in the interest of peace and justice.
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