Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has said his administration is committed to working closely with traditional institutions, describing traditional rulers as indispensable partners in governance, peacebuilding and grassroots development.
Governor Oborevwori stated this on Thursday during the presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Peters Ufuoma Rarepet Ekperare I, the Ovie of Iyede Kingdom, in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., congratulated the monarch on his recognition and ascension to the traditional throne, commending the chiefs, elders and people of Iyede Kingdom for their patience and commitment towards making the occasion possible.
He described traditional rulers as important stakeholders who preserve cultural heritage, promote peace, resolve disputes and mobilise their people for development, assuring that his administration would continue to strengthen its partnership with traditional institutions.
According to him, the Staff of Office was a symbol of authority and a call to service, urging the new monarch to lead with wisdom, fairness and compassion while ensuring that every village and family in the kingdom enjoys a sense of belonging.
Governor Oborevwori appealed to the people of the 17 villages that make up Iyede Kingdom to put aside their differences and embrace unity, stressing that their shared history and common destiny should supersede individual interests.
According to him; “to the people of the seventeen villages, I urge you to embrace this new chapter with a renewed commitment to unity; your shared history and common destiny should always be greater than your differences.
“The strength and progress of Iyede Kingdom depend on your ability to work together.
“Your Royal Majesty, the Staff of Office you receive today is not only a symbol of authority; it is a call to service; you are now the father of the entire lyede Kingdom, I urge you to lead with wisdom, fairness and compassion; be a unifying father to all, rise above sectional interests and ensure that every village and every family has a sense of belonging under your reign.
“My good people of lyede, give your king the necessary support to succeed, put aside personal differences and work together for the progress of your kingdom.
“No community can achieve meaningful development without peace and unity.
“I urge our youths to embrace education, skills acquisition and productive enterprise.
“I aiso encourage our women to remain active partners in the development
of lyede Kingdom; their contributions to family welfare, economic growth, community leadership and the preservation of our cultural values are invaluable.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive development through the MORE Agenda, Oborevwori assured the people that the needs of Iyede Kingdom and Isoko North would continue to receive attention within available resources, emphasising that no community would be left behind.
Earlier, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Godwin Ogorugba, appreciated the importance of collaboration between the state and local governments in delivering the dividends of democracy.
Hon. Ogorugba expressed optimism about sustained government interventions in critical sectors, including road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, as well as rural development.
He also used the occasion to reaffirm the political solidarity of the Isoko North Local Government leadership with Governor Oborevwori’s second-term aspiration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council chairman declared that Isoko North, as part of the All Progressives Congress (APC), remained committed to the re-election aspirations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
In his welcome address, the President-General of Iyede Progress Union, Dr. Obido Anthony, expressed profound appreciation to the Delta State Government for recognising the traditional institution and presenting the Staff of Office to the new monarch, describing the occasion as historic.
