Govt approves appointment of 17-year-old Ubulu-Uku monarch

The 17-year-old traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku, Delta State, is set to receive the staff of office as the state government has formally approved his appointment as the Obi of the agrarian community.

Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, resident in United Kingdom was installed on February 18, 2016 after the death of his father, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III.

But the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku, Chief Emma Ejiofor, had stirred the hornet’s nest when he described the late Ofulue III as a usurper, insisting as the Onishe, whose responsibility is to crown a new king, that he never installed Ofulue III as king and that he did not install the young Akaeze I and, as such, cannot be king.

Briefing newsmen in Asaba, on Wednesday, on the outcome of the state executive council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said despite speculations that Ubulu-Uku was divided over the enthronement of the young king, the state government was yet to receive a petition from any quarter asking it to withdraw the approval given to him.

According to him, his appointment followed due process, adding that the traditional rulers council, at his local government area (Aniocha South) and  at the state level, approved his obiship.

Mr. Ukah disclosed that approval had also been given for farmers in the state to participate in the Federal Government “Anochor Programme” through the Central Bank of Nigeria.The programme is meant to boost  agriculture at the grass roots.

Similarly, approval has been given for the release of funds to the state job creation office to identify graduates and train them for employment under the Grass roots Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP).