Kerebiri-Mein chiefs, youths protest delayed staff of office

BOMADI — Chiefs, women and youths of Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday staged a peaceful protest over the delay in presenting the staff of office to the monarch of the kingdom, HRM (Barr.) Godspower Tam Oporomo, Tara-eza I, the Ebenana-owei.

The protesters, drawn from the 10 communities that make up the kingdom, marched through streets and major roads in Bomadi, the headquarters of the local government area, demanding that the state government expedite the process.

They chanted, “We are a distinct kingdom and have never been subjects of any other kingdom,” while carrying placards with inscriptions including, “Kerebiri-Mein is an autonomous kingdom,” “Governor Oborevwori, grant recognition to our king and kingdom,” and “No community within Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom is listed in the gazette of any other kingdom.”

The protesters also called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to address what they described as the prolonged delay in recognising the kingdom and presenting the staff of office to its monarch.

The demonstration initially stopped at the Bomadi Police Division, where the Divisional Police Officer, CPS John Emmanuel, urged the protesters to remain peaceful in pursuing their demands.

The protesters later moved to the Bomadi Bridge, where they gathered in large numbers and obstructed vehicular movement for more than six hours.

Speaking to journalists at the protest ground, Chief Francis Soude, Chief Doubra Orderly, Comrade Ebiegberi Abamoh, Mrs Edesemi Lambert and the Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom, Comrade Lucky Ebiwarebo, urged the state government to expedite the presentation of the staff of office.

The Secretary-General of Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom, Chief (Dr.) Clement Tikpa, alleged that political considerations were responsible for the prolonged delay.

He said all relevant documents had been submitted to the offices of the Deputy Governor and the Governor for processing and ratification.

Tikpa said the kingdom had faced what he described as obstacles to the presentation of the staff of office since the coronation of the monarch in 2016.

“The delay in presenting the staff of office to our King, HRM (Barr.) Godspower Tam Oporomo, is an unjust oppression from our sister kingdom,” he said.

He maintained that none of the communities in Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom was listed in the gazette of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, adding that relevant authorities were aware of the situation.

Tikpa said the kingdom comprised Kpakiama, Bomadi, Esanma, Ogboin-ama, Ogodobiri, Ezebiri, Okoloba, Kalafiugbene and Ekameta in Bomadi LGA, as well as Adobu in Patani LGA.

According to him, Kerebiri-Mein and Akugbene-Mein were separate kingdoms despite sharing a common ancestry as descendants of Mein.

“All necessary documents have been submitted to both the office of the Deputy Governor and the Governor of the state, and the Governor is aware of our plight,” he said.

He added that the group had earlier approached the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Hon. Rawlings Dagidi Andaye, who appealed to them to remain patient and peaceful.

Tikpa, however, said more than a year had passed without any response from the authorities.

He appealed to Governor Oborevwori to address the matter and grant Kerebiri-Mein the recognition its people were seeking.

“Enough of this oppression; we appeal to Gov. Oborevwori to grant our kingdom the recognition it deserves by presenting the staff of office to our King,” he said.

By Chancel Bomadi Sunday

BOMADI — Chiefs, women and youths of Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday staged a peaceful protest over the delay in presenting the staff of office to the monarch of the kingdom, HRM (Barr.) Godspower Tam Oporomo, Tara-eza I, the Ebenana-owei.

The protesters, drawn from the 10 communities that make up the kingdom, marched through streets and major roads in Bomadi, the headquarters of the local government area, demanding that the state government expedite the process.

They chanted, “We are a distinct kingdom and have never been subjects of any other kingdom,” while carrying placards with inscriptions including, “Kerebiri-Mein is an autonomous kingdom,” “Governor Oborevwori, grant recognition to our king and kingdom,” and “No community within Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom is listed in the gazette of any other kingdom.”

The protesters also called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to address what they described as the prolonged delay in recognising the kingdom and presenting the staff of office to its monarch.

The demonstration initially stopped at the Bomadi Police Division, where the Divisional Police Officer, CPS John Emmanuel, urged the protesters to remain peaceful in pursuing their demands.

The protesters later moved to the Bomadi Bridge, where they gathered in large numbers and obstructed vehicular movement for more than six hours.

Speaking to journalists at the protest ground, Chief Francis Soude, Chief Doubra Orderly, Comrade Ebiegberi Abamoh, Mrs Edesemi Lambert and the Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom, Comrade Lucky Ebiwarebo, urged the state government to expedite the presentation of the staff of office.

The Secretary-General of Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom, Chief (Dr.) Clement Tikpa, alleged that political considerations were responsible for the prolonged delay.

He said all relevant documents had been submitted to the offices of the Deputy Governor and the Governor for processing and ratification.

Tikpa said the kingdom had faced what he described as obstacles to the presentation of the staff of office since the coronation of the monarch in 2016.

“The delay in presenting the staff of office to our King, HRM (Barr.) Godspower Tam Oporomo, is an unjust oppression from our sister kingdom,” he said.

He maintained that none of the communities in Kerebiri-Mein Kingdom was listed in the gazette of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, adding that relevant authorities were aware of the situation.

Tikpa said the kingdom comprised Kpakiama, Bomadi, Esanma, Ogboin-ama, Ogodobiri, Ezebiri, Okoloba, Kalafiugbene and Ekameta in Bomadi LGA, as well as Adobu in Patani LGA.

According to him, Kerebiri-Mein and Akugbene-Mein were separate kingdoms despite sharing a common ancestry as descendants of Mein.

“All necessary documents have been submitted to both the office of the Deputy Governor and the Governor of the state, and the Governor is aware of our plight,” he said.

He added that the group had earlier approached the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Hon. Rawlings Dagidi Andaye, who appealed to them to remain patient and peaceful.

Tikpa, however, said more than a year had passed without any response from the authorities.

He appealed to Governor Oborevwori to address the matter and grant Kerebiri-Mein the recognition its people were seeking.

“Enough of this oppression; we appeal to Gov. Oborevwori to grant our kingdom the recognition it deserves by presenting the staff of office to our King,” he said.