Elders and youths of Ugbineh Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State have commended the Oba of Benin, HRM Ewuare ll, for approving the installation of a new Odionwere (village head) in the locality.
The commendation followed the installation of Pa Jackson Usiobafo Osayande, 94, as Odionwere of Ugbineh Community on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
The Benin monarch was said to have directed that Pa Jackson Usiobafo Osayande, being the oldest man and not the most senior person in the Elders Council (Oguedion), be made Odionwere of Ugbineh Community.
This was disclosed to journalists at the Odionwere maiden conference with sons and daughters of Ugbineh.
The well-attended meeting held at Ugbineh town hall on Friday, July 8, 2023.
“I thank our royal father, the Oba of Benin Kingdom, HRM Ewuare ll Ogidigan who directed that I should be installed Odionwere of Ugbineh,” the newly installed Odionwere stated.
“I am the eldest person in Ugbineh, God has made it so and our Oba has pronounced that only the eldest man will be installed Odionwere.
“Women, youths and children, everyone in Ugbineh agreed and supported that I should be the Odionwere. I thank the monarch, my youth leader (Okaighele), Dominic Edobor, and everyone for their support.
“I want to specially appeal to all sons and daughters of Ugbineh within and outside this community to cooperate with Dominic Edobor in his desire to keep moving Ugbineh forward,” he said.
The village head added that the reappointment of Mr. Dominic Edobor as the Okaighele (youth leader) was unanimous due to his leadership style and developmental record.
Also, in their various comments, the deputy Odionwere, Pa Gius Osarenmwinda, (Ugbineh Chief Priest) Ohen, Pa Alfred Agbonedeso, Mr. Sunday Asemota and Madam Uwudegbe Odigie, among others corroborated the village head.
They appealed to inhabitants of Ugbineh to eschew any form of evil in the interest of development and coexistence.
In his remarks, the youth leader of Ugbineh Community, Mr. Edobor, lauded the Benin monarch for his directive that led to the installation of Pa Jackson Usiobafo Osayande as Odionwere.
He appreciated elders, youths and children of Ugbineh for his reappointment and their support.
The Okaighele said having served the former Odionwere, Pa Osayande Emwindonmwanfo of blessed memory, he has to showcase as achievements the ultra-modern town hall, renovated health centre, improved coexistence among residents of Ugbineh village and other laudable infrastructure.
He appealed for their support, assuring that with his reappointment, Ugbineh people are in for more life-changing projects.
“My administration is very transparent, it embraces everybody because I believe leadership is not about self but the people. So, if by the grace of God you are made a leader of an area, let the people of that area feel your impact as a leader,” Mr. Edobor said.
“Immediately the Odionwere, Pa Jackson Usiobafo Osayande, was installed, he reappointed me as the Okaighele and gave me a mandate that I should ensure peace and development in his domain, and that everybody should be carried along,” he said.
