By Young Erhuirhoro
LAGOS NOVEMBER 26TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The paramount ruler of the people of Evwreni Kingdom in Ughelli North LGA of Delta state, His Royal Majesty, Oghenekevwe Kumane, Eruvwedede 111 has called for unity and peace to prevail in his entire domain.
However, the peace meeting seems to have ran into murky waters as leaders of Unenurhie community differ in their search for peace and unity in Evwreni Kingdom.
On Wednesday 21st November, 2018 at the Eni Hall, Evwreni town the monarch held a meeting which involved the sons and daughters of the four major communities of the kingdom which included Urevwe, Okpawha, Uneni and Unenurhie communities to deliberate on some sensitive issues confronting the kingdom.
Addressing those the audience, the Evwreni traditional ruler said, “First and foremost, some of the important reasons for calling this meeting today are one, to tackle the issue of unity and peace of the kingdom. We must also know that these two are paramount and key players to development of this our kingdom.
“Secondly, we shall discuss on how to constitute a vigilante group to protect and secure the entire kingdom. We must not forget that without security, unity and peace will definitely elude us.
“Thirdly, we shall also discuss about some of our oil wells that are being litigated by Unenurhie community and Evwreni and how to settle that issue out of court processes and other important issues.
“On the issue of unity and peace, I want the entire kingdom to embrace unity and peace. And at this material time, I won’t succumb to divisive tendencies from anybody or group of people around my kingdom. Evwreni Kingdom is one and nobody can divide or share it for selfish or personal interests. Since the division of the kingdom could not take place during the time of my predecessors, I can’t allow it to happen in my time. I must protect the kingdom from division in my time as the Ovie. Evwreni Kingdom is one and shall continue to be one forever.”
Speaking in response to the words of the revered king during the meeting which lasted for hours, the Odion’Rode of Evwreni Kingdom, His Highness, Ebruphiyor Jemre said, “In the first place, I thank Ajuwe for calling this meeting. Of a truth, Evwreni Kingdom is one but there are some issues we need to iron out here to protect our unity and oneness. By traditional hierarchy in Evwreni traditional institutions, I supposed to be the second in command in terms of traditional administration of the kingdom. But today, where is my place and position in the kingdom? In fact, I want to ask the Evwreni people present here today, what is even the position of Unenurhie community in the making of Evwreni Kingdom?
“In everything as far as Evwreni Kingdom is concerned, the Unenurhie people are being relegated to the background. We are being treated as second class citizens in our own inheritance. We should not forget that Unenurhie community is the only distinct and separated community among the so called four communities making Evwreni. What about politics? Unenurhie people have no place to stand in Evwreni Ward politics. Since the creation of this ward, how many Unenurhie people have been elected as councilors in the ward?
“Before now, we were having four polling units in Unenurhie community but as I talk now, one is already moved from that place to join the ones in Evwreni here. Instead of us to increase, we are being decreased by certain powers here. Is this how to eat from a common pot of soup cooked by common ancestors?
“Now, how can you convince the Unenurhie people that we are one kingdom? Ajuwe, if all these issues can be amended amicably, nobody is against the unity of this kingdom. I enjoin you as the traditional head of the kingdom to set this house in order.”
Speaking in the same vein a speaker from Unenurhie community who pledged anonymity said, “On issue of oil installations in the kingdom, we have many oil wells and a flow station in the kingdom. My question is this, if truly we are one, how many Unenurhie people are currently employed to work in the flow station? No Unenurhie person is allowed to work there. We should not forget that Unenurhie is recognized as an autonomous community in SHELL activities. This was done many years ago by our fathers. And we should also know that we have distinct boundary demarcations separating Unenurhie community from the rest of the kingdom. How then you just jump from your place and claim oil wells that do not belong to you, just because we are one kingdom? Is this not injustice and oppression? Those oil facilities should be left alone for Unenurhie community for peace and unity to prevail among us.”
The meeting was almost declared inconclusive as a result of rancour from youths that truncated the rest part of the meeting. All efforts to speak to the president-general of Evwreni, Chief (Hon.) Victor Ohare and that of Unenurhie community, Chief Felix Edjereki aka Ibori on their comments on the said meeting proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
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