Delta monarch joins ancestors after 12 years on the throne

HIS Royal Majesty, Edward Igho Otadeferua Erhiekevwe 1, pnm (JP), of the Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State has been reported dead.

The incident has thrown Jesse, the second largest Urhobo kingdom, into mourning.

A senior chief of the kingdom, who confirmed the news, said the monarch died after a brief illness, but the news has since been kept from the public under strict traditional norms.

He said that Nigerians would babe observed that the Idjerhe monarch, for the past three months, has not been seen in public functions, nor heard or read in the media.

The chief, however, disclosed that in the next three months, commencing from Saturday 17th November 2018 through to February 17, 2019, the entire kingdom will be mourning the late king.

He said the flag of the kingdom was already flying at half mask, while a condolence register has been opened at the palace of Erhiekevwe.

The burial arrangement of the departed monarch, who has been in charge of the second largest kingdom in Urhobo land, will soon be disclosed to the public by the publicity committee appointed for the purpose.

The burial publicity committee is chaired by Chief Godwin Ofishe, a retired military officer and the current Unugbrogodo of Boboruku community with Chief Monday Whiskey, as his secretary.

ALSO READ: JUST IN: Again, Buhari meets governors over proposed N30,000 minimum wage

The late monarch was a former national deputy chairman of the Nigeria Supporters Club.

He ascended the throne in 2006 after he retired from the Federal Ministry of Commerce as a director where he served meritoriously.

Until his demise, the Idjerhe monarch was also the chairman Ethiope West Traditional Rulers Council.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has extended his condolences to the Idjerhe people of Delta State on the passage of His Royal Majesty, Edward Igho Otadaferua, Erhiekevwe I.

This was contained in a statement issued in Asaba on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Charles Aniagwu.

Okowa conveyed his personal condolences to the royal family and relations as well as friends and associates of the late monarch who until his demise was the Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

He said the deceased, whose transition was formally announced at the weekend, would be greatly missed by the Idjerhe people and Urhobos of Delta and all Nigerians.

He urged members of the late monarch’s family and the Idjerhe people to be comforted by the knowledge that His Royal Majesty, Edward Igho Otadaferua, Erhiekevwe I, would be remembered as a peace-loving monarch, who did his best to foster the harmonious co-existence of his people with other ethnic groups in Delta State and Nigeria.

The Governor added that the late monarch would also be honoured by present and future generations as a most worthy custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Idjerhe people.

According to him, the deceased will also be remembered for the commendable wisdom, sagacity and benevolence which he exhibited in his 12 years reign over the Idjerhe people.

Governor Okowa prayed that God Almighty would receive the late monarch’s soul and grant him eternal rest.