Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has said that, the strength of any kingdom lies in the unity, cooperation, and shared commitment of its people.
Governor Oborevwori made this known of Thursday while presenting Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Obi Ikechukwu Chukwuemeka Christopher Ugbomah 11, the Obi of Issele-Azagba Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., the Governor observed that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, stability, and communal harmony, values which royal fathers continue to uphold across the State.
He said, “today’s occasion is not merely a ceremonial event; it is a celebration of heritage, identity, and the enduring strength of our traditional institutions.
“It is also a reaffirmation of the values of peace, unity, mutual respect, and progress that continue to define us as a people and as a State.
“The Staff of Office, which I present today is far more than a symbol of authority, it is a sacred trust and a solemn covenant between the throne and the people; it represents the confidence of the government and the people of Issele-Azagba in the capacity of His Royal Majesty to lead with wisdom, integrity, fairness, and compassion.
“Traditional leadership carries enormous responsibility; our royal fathers remain custodians of our culture, mediators in times of conflict, moral voices in society, and partners in development.
“Their role in promoting peace, preserving our customs, values, and fostering community harmony cannot be overemphasized.
“Your Majesty, this ceremony stands as a testament to the resilience, unity, and rich cultural heritage of the people of Issele-Azagba Kingdom; your ascension to the throne comes with great expectations and immense responsibility, but I have no doubt that you will discharge your duties with honour, dignity, and a deep commitment to the welfare of your people.
“As Governor of Delta State, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of my administration to strengthening the partnership between government and traditional institutions; we recognize that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, stability, and communal harmony, values which our royal fathers continue to uphold across the State.
“I urge all sons and daughters of Issele-Azagba, both at home and in the diaspora, to rally round their king, support him with loyalty, unity, and sincerity of purpose.
“You should all work together to build a kingdom where peace reigns supreme, where our youths are empowered with opportunities, where investments and development are encouraged, and where our rich cultural heritage is preserved for generations yet unborn.
“The strength of any kingdom lies not only in the authority of its ruler, but also in the unity, cooperation, and shared commitment of its people.
“I thank the people of Issele-Azagba Kingdom for their warm support and continued confidence in the State Government.”
The Chairman, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Hon. Emma Chinye noted that it is part of his administration’s priority is to rebuild Aniocha North, and congratulated the people of Issele-Azagba Community for standing on the path of truth and being resilient in the face of challenges in the recent past years to preserve their cultural heritage.
According to him, “the milestone event of today is a triumph of the people’s tradition and cultural heritage which is in line with the underlying principle that justice begets peace and the realities of human existence hold it as a matter of fact that peace can never be achieved anywhere in the absence of justice.
He urged the Issele Azagba people to place community interest over and above self or sectional interest and rally round the traditional ruler for the generally desired cohesion, progress and development of the town.
Delivering a welcome address at the occasion, the President General of Issele-Azagba Development Union, Elder Patrick Isichei while appreciating the state governor for presenting the Staff of Office to his royal majesty, noted that the staff of office “is a solemn covenant; a covenant between a king and his people, government and the king, and a bond between the present and the future.”
