By Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa
The Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri has presented Staff of Office to the Amananaowei of Ofoni Federated Communities in Tarakiri Clan, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness Deacon Auditor Onakpohor, Ogelle-Owei 1 on the occasion of Iyeri Cultural Festival.
Governor Douye Diri who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy and Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule while presenting the Staff of Office to the Amananaowei of Ofoni Federated Communities, His Royal Highness, Deacon Auditor Onakpohor, Ogelle-Owei 1 said the position he occupies was for life and advised the people not to contemplate carrying out “ogele” to dethrone the new paramount ruler.
He stated that the Ofoni traditional stool was sacred and urged them to accord the Amananaowei, His Royal Highness Deacon Auditor Onakpohor the respect he deserved as a traditional ruler and support him to succeed in his new assignment to move the community forward.
The Bayelsa helmsman urged the Amananaowei to uphold the age long tradition bequeathed by the ancestors and maintain peace in the community, be fair and rule with the fear of God, while urging him to carry everyone along in the scheme of things.
He congratulated the Paramount Ruler and the good people of Ofoni Federated Communities for the successful selection of a new Amananaowei and enjoined them to continue to support the Prosperity Administration as the November 11 Governorship Election draws near.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, who is a son of Ofoni, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Iti Orugbani in his remarks stated that it was a divine arrangement for the presentation of staff of office to the Amananaowei to fall on the celebration of the 2023 Iyeri Cultural Festival.
He noted that Bayelsa State Government had classified festivals celebrated in the state to first, second and third classes.
The Bayelsa number two citizen said due to the high cultural value of the Iyeri festival, the state government had classified it as a first-class festival and assured them of government’s continued support to make it as one of foremost entertaining festival in the country.
Chief (Dr) Perekeme Betola, the immediate past Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, speaking as Chairman of the occasion described Ofoni people as sons and daughters of Tarakiri, noting that His Royal Highness Deacon Auditor Onakpohor had a high respect for culture and the traditional institution saying that the presence of Tarakiri traditional rulers who were present at the election of the Pere of the Clan, High Chief Seiyefa Koroye at the presentation of the Staff of Office to the Ogelle-Owei 1 of Ofoni speaks volumes of the respect he commands among the traditional rulers in the area.
He thanked the good people of Ofoni for the choice of His Royal Highness, Deacon Auditor Onakpohor as the new Amananaowei, stressing that the new King has all the great attributes to lead the community.
Dr. Tony Onakpor read the citation of the new Amananaowei, describing him as a thorough bred Ijaw man with requisite educational qualifications, working experience and well versed in the native laws, customs and traditions of the Ijaw Nation to offer responsive, transparent and credible leadership to the community.
In his acceptance speech, the Amananaowei of Ofoni Federated Communities, His Royal Highness, Deacon Auditor Onakpohor expressed gratitude to God for finding him worthy to lead the people and thanked the Government of Bayelsa State led by Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, the good people of Ofoni for the honour done him.
He also thanked the people for their peaceful conduct and lauded security agents for maintaining law and order at the ceremony, and everyone for finding time to grace the occasion despite their tight schedule, and prayed God to grant them journey mercies to their respective homes.
The ceremony featured cultural displays and presentation of new yams, fishes, and other food crops to the Amananaowei.
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