The need for youths and the good people of Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State to always adhere to the customs and traditions of the community and respect the traditional institution led by the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, HRM Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu has been stressed.
The Chairman of Obodogba youths, Comrade Chukwuma Abumujor stated this while addressing newsmen after he led youths of Obodogba Quarters, Okpanam to show solidarity with the traditional ruler.
Comrade Abumujor, who said that it was disheartening for some people to be dragging the traditional ruler to courts and police stations at all times, urged the litigants to exercise restraints and shun things that could bring disunity to the community.
He, therefore, appealed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the federal government to intervene so as to stop the youths from tarnishing the image of the traditional ruler.
Comrade Abumujor, however, stated that the monarch has the interest of his community at heart and had continued to remain uncompromised in his activities, alleging that some land grabbers in the community connived with the Umu-Isagba people of Ibusa community to damage the credibility and image of Ugoani.
In an interview, the Ugoani of Okpanam, HRM Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu said that the land in question which he and some of his kinsmen were facing unnecessary litigations was graciously acquired by the government of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and was later handed back to Okpanam community.
He explained that after the land was returned back to the community, some people in Obodogba accused him of forging the signature of former Governor Okowa despite the clarification of the State Ministry of Lands and Survey, that he did not forge Okowa’s signature.
The Okpanam monarch advised his adversaries, whom according to him, took him to court to apologize to him and other accused persons so that they would be forgiven and integrated back to Okpanam society, emphasizing that all internal mechanism to settle the issue was abortive as the aggrieved individuals took the matter to court against the advice of their family members.
Also speaking, a frontline community leader, Chief (Dr.) Paul Nwayalani recalled how Obodogba Quarters sued the state government under the leadership of Ifeanyi Okowa over the state government acquisition of the land without compensation for the community.
Chief Nwayalani said that Okowa appealed to the community through the State Ministry of Lands and Survey that the state would give the land back to The community and that they should withdraw the case in court.
He noted that he and the traditional ruler were arrested by some Indigenes of Obodogba Quarters, claiming that Okowa’s signature was forged by the Ugoani.
