1st coronation anniversary: My reign has been interesting, intriguing —Olu of Warri

THE Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli has declared that his one-year reign so far, as the new Itsekiri monarch, has been both interesting and intriguing.

Olu made the declaration on Monday during the one year anniversary of his coronation at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiri nationality.

‘The last one year has been both interesting and intriguing.

‘’Not withstanding, the most interesting challenge we have had to face have been internal to us as Itsekiri.

‘’But the vision I outlined one year ago is still intact and on course.

‘’This vision represents positive change and a clear departure from the vagaries and manipulation by few individuals to a broader based Itsekiri poject and program anchored on participatory partnership with every Itsekiri man and woman.

This is what I represent,’’ he said.

He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to commence work on the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in Ogidigben, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Celebrating one year on the throne as the 20th Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwole affirmed that his reign is on course with the transformation agenda he had set for the kingdom last year.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the 16 billion US Dollar gas project, it will be recalled, was performed by immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan on March 26, 2015.

The project, which is public- private-driven, was expected to create employment to thousands of youths from inception.

Ikenwoli, for the umpteenth time, also appealed to Buhari to revive the Delta Ports to boost the economy, create employment and check youth restiveness.

The

monarch said he had resolved to build sustained bridges of peace and unity with his neighbors, noting: “I believe we have made great strides in this direction.

To us, we should no longer be defined by tribes, tongues and negative dogma, but by our collective will to live in peace and harmony.”

The Warri monarch also called on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to return to Delta State where it divested from its operations since 2012.

He, however, commended Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) for not going the way of SPDC in spite of the daunting challenges, particularly of insecurity it had faced.

He condemned the attacks on oil installations, adding that he had tried to build bridges of peace among neighboring communities.

The event, which started on Nov. 28,  would climaxed on December 18 with interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Church of God Mission inside the Olu palace.

Highlights of the ceremony was the colourful cultural display by the Oye Ekoro regatta and payment of homage by various Itsekiri groups including the Itsekiri Progressives Club.