Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The quiet town of Ugbineh, located in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State was ruptured with palpable joy when 94-year-old Pa Jackson Osayende was installed as the Odionwere of the community by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.
The long and awaited installation which drew sons and daughters of the community together, paved the way for the people to shower encomiums on the Oba for installing a credible son of the community to be their Odionwere.
Also installed to be assisting the Odionwere of the community in an order of hierarchy, are Pa Giaus Osarenmwinda, 93 Years old and Pa Sunday Asemota respectively.
While thanking the monarch for choosing a square peg in a square hole to oversee the affairs of the community, the indigenes of the community took turns to bare their minds on the personality of the newly installed Odionwere, Pa Jackson Osayende.
Taking the first shot, is the second in command, Pa Giaus Osarenmwinda.
He said Pa Osayende is a man with an astute quality, fair and just in his dealings with his fellow men.
Osarenmwinda said he has no doubt in his mind that the installed Odionwere will lead his people alright and administer justice to those who deserve it.
He said that he will work hand-in-hands to give the Odionwere the needed support to ensure that he succeeds in his tenure.
He called on the people of the community to rally round the newly installed Odionwere to be able to provide the right leadership for the people of the community.
The second in command further thanked the Benin monarch for installing Pa Osayende as the Odionwere of the community.
Also speaking, Pa Sunday Asemota, described the Odionwere as a father figure to everyone in the community, native and non native.
“He has been a father figure to everyone in this community.
” Now that he has been installed as the Odionwere, we pray that God should grant him good health and long life.
“We will do our best to support him in all ramifications so that he can succeeds and there will be progress, peace and tranquility in this community”, Asemota said.
The chief priest of the community, Pa Alfred Agbonnedeso, said the Oba of Benin has done them well by giving them a man of integrity and uprightness in the person of Osayende.
“The community has been so peaceful and I want it to be more peaceful.
“We don’t want crisis in this community. This community is one of the largest communities in this local government and we want the best for it.
“The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II has done us well by installing Pa Osayende as the Odionwere of the community.
“We pray that God should grant our Odionwere long life, good health and wisdom to lead his people”, Agbonnedeso prayed.
The women who were not also left out of the encomiums on the Odionwere, said through one of their leaders, Mrs. Odigie Uwudegbe that their joy knew no bounds having gotten Odionwere, maintaining that it is not good for a community to be without an Odionwere.
“I am so happy that we now have an Odionwere in our community.
“All this while, we have not been happy that we do not have an Odionwere because a community where you do not have a leader, is not a good one but today, I can say that we the women are very happy and we are going to support him.
“We the women have promised to rally round him in order to succeed”, Uwudegbe said.
The youth leader of the community, Dominic Edobor, while thanking the Oba of Benin for installing the new Odionwere in the community, pledged to collaborate with him to ensure that there is peace and stability in the community.
Earlier on the part of the Odionwere, Pa Jackson Osayende who was installed by the Oba on 4th of July, 2023, thanked the Benin monarch for considering him worthy for such a lofty position.
He vowed never to betray the confidence placed on him by the Oba adding that he will lead his people aright.
“I want to thank the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II for installing me as the Odionwere of this community.
“I want to thank the people of the community for supporting me on this”, Pa Osayende said.
He advised the people of the community to shun all forms of vices and join hands with him to move the community forward.
” I want to urge everyone to shun any acts that will imped the progress of this community.
“I want you to focus on your work for it is only when you are focused and committed to what you are doing, that God can bless you.
“I want you people to join hands with me to move this community forward” Osayende added.