Evboro community situated along Upper Ekenwan Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, last Thursday, March 14, 2024, installed a new Odionwere, Pa Aikeworo Ikponmwosa, in a carnival-like atmosphere.
The installation event took place at the community traditional house, where all traditional rites were carried out as part of the process of installing a new Odionwere in the presence of the community elders, leaders, and men, women and youths were all gathered to witness the installation ceremony.
Pa Aikeworo, who is the seventh Odionwere in the history of the community, appreciated His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare 11, for delivering justice to the community after a long tussle that lasted over three years on who should become the Odionwere of the community, and for giving him the opportunity to be installed as the Odionwere of Evboro community. He prayed for long life and good health for the Oba of Benin, he also used the opportunity to pray for the peace and progress of Evboro community.
Pa Aikeworo stressed that under his leadership as the Odionwere of Evboro community, he will provide quality leadership that will be fair to all, and commended all sons and daughters of the community for their support towards the growth and progress of the community.
In his words, “The instruction from Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, said the most senior man in the village shall be the Odionwere of the village. Out of everyone in the village I am the most senior man; that is while I am installed as the Odionwere today. Someone else claimed to be the most senior man in the village but when the Palace told him what to do if truly he is the most senior man he ran away and never came back.
“So, the Palace permitted that I should be installed as the Odionwere of the community and that is what has been done today. So, I feel happy today and I thank my people, the sons and daughters of Evboro, for supporting me throughout this journey. I appreciate every one of them and I pray that better growth and progress will fill this community.”
Also speaking at the installation ceremony, Evboro community secretary, Hon. Charles Egharevba, commended His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, for giving the go ahead for the most senior man in the community to be installed as the Odionwere, and described Pa Aikeworo as a very pragmatic, proactive, energetic person who treats everyone with fairness.
Hon. Egharevba stated that Pa Aikeworo is the seventh Odionwere to be installed in the history of the community and that the community has existed for over 200 years since the time of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adolor.
“With profound gratitude to the Almighty God and thankfully to our Royal Monarch, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, who gave the go ahead for the most senior man in the community to be installed as the Odionwere, and today is the rightful day that we are having the ceremony.”
He admonished everyone in the community to come together and join hands with the new Odionwere to move the community forward, describing the community as a peace loving and hospitable community to all, irrespective of your origin.
Also, the Okaighele of Evboro community, Imafidon Egharevba, appreciated God Almighty for the installation of Pa Aikeworo as the new Odionwere, and solicited for peace and support for the new Odionwere so as to move the community forward.
“We thank God for a day like this. Today is a happy day for me and every member of this community. We want peace in this village and peace we shall get in this village,” he said.
He described the new Odionwere as a man that accommodates everyone, a man full of wisdom that can handle the affairs of the community.
Similarly, an Elder and Treasurer of Evboro community, Bishop Iyobosa Atoe, commended His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, for graciously granting approval that Pa Aikeworo be installed as the Odionwere of Evboro community, having been without an Odionwere in the community since the past three years.
According to Bishop Atoe, “Today, we are happy that the Oba has graciously granted that Pa Aikeworo Ikponmwonsa becomes the Odionwere of our community. The other Odionwere died three years ago and this new one needed to be installed. Two days ago we were at the Palace, yesterday we got the confirmation and today we are here doing the installation ceremony of our Odionwere. We pray that God will help him so that he reign will bring peace and progress to the community.”
He described Pa Aikeworo as a pragmatic, cooperative and a man that has the interest of the people and the community at heart.
Shortly after the installation of Pa Aikeworo Ikponmwonsa as the new Odionwere of Evboro community, members of the community had a swell time dancing, singing, eating, and drinking and were full of praise for having an Odionwere that has eluded them for three years.
Oba gha tor kpere… Ise
