A-candid-advice-to-traditional-rulers-in-delta-state-with-the-benjamin-okumagba-example-as-the-orosue-of-okere-urhobo-kingdom-in-warri
September 7, 2020 | News
A CANDID ADVICE TO TRADITIONAL RULERS IN DELTA STATE - WITH THE BENJAMIN OKUMAGBA EXAMPLE AS THE OROSUE OF OKERE-URHOBO KINGDOM IN WARRI
Without a doubt, one of the most successful and comfortable businessmen in Delta State, who later became a Traditional Ruler as The OROSUE of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri of Delta State, was Chief Benjamin Okumagba. This is one Traditional Ruler that I respected because he was one who was always bold and fearless, even in the face of the controlling and intimidating tentacles of the State Government, as he damned the consequences.
I, therefore see Chief Benjamin Okumagba, as a good example of what Traditional Rulers should be like, and how they ought to comport themselves in the affairs of their Communities and the State. So as to be able to command the required influence, respect and high-regard from, and amongst the people they are meant to traditional-lead, without being the web of the whims and caprices of the State Government. As such, I advise the Traditional Rulers in Delta State to examine the life lived by Benjamin Okumagba, as imbibe the good example he had set.
The truth is, for any Traditional Ruler to make any positive impact in the lives of its people, such a Ruler must be seen not to be under the influence and command of the instruments of the State Government. Such a Traditional Ruler must be seen to exhibit boldness, courage, fearlessness, integrity and discipline. To be honest with you, it is usually appalling to see Traditional Rulers ridiculed and even disgraced publicly by State Governors. We saw this happen on national television earlier this year, in Rivers State, when the current State Governor, Nyesom Wike practically mocked, abused the living-day-light of the Traditional Rulers within his jurisdiction. He even pointed to one of the Monarchs while speaking, as he mocked his traditional attire, and how young he was, running around them and going on errands when he (Wike) was still in School.
Also, more recently, 12 Traditional Rulers were suspended for one year by the Anambra State Government for reportedly travelling to Abuja with oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, to see President Muhammadu Buhari, without permission. This development made the traditional ruler of Alor Community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, MacAnthony Okonkwo, to have publicly apologized to the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for embarking on the said trip to Abuja without government approval. While he was reported to have admitted that his action violated the Traditional Rulers’ Council rules guiding the operation of Monarchs in the State, the crux of the matter here is that, Traditional Rulers are today rendered ‘uninfluential’ by State Governments.
Looking at the subject example – are we aware that His Royal Highness, Benjamin Okumagba, had rejected the "Kingship Staff of Office instrument" from the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Deputy Governor, Amos Utuama Government? According to Okumagba, he said he was given the title of OROSUE of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom of Warri by his people, and not by any Government. As such, HE REJECTED ALL THE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS ATTACHED TO HIS RULERSHIP AS THE OKERE-URHOBO KINGDOM/CLAN OF WARRI PEOPLE. He did not see the need to visit the Delta State Government House and the Warri South Local Government Council Secretariat, during his reign as the OROSUE of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom/Clan of Warri.
His Royal Highness, Benjamin Okumagba was a highly principled and disciplined traditional ruler, and bluntly spoke his mind at all times, no matter who and what was involved. He said a Traditional Ruler should not be running after top Government officials. Benjamin Okumagba was a brave and a no-nonsense person, who was also very intelligent. He was not a "follow-follow king", as we see other Traditional Rulers today, who run around as errands boys of State Governors.
Zik Gbemre.
August 17, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
Without a doubt, one of the most successful and comfortable businessmen in Delta State, who later became a Traditional Ruler as The OROSUE of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri of Delta State, was Chief Benjamin Okumagba. This is one Traditional Ruler that I respected because he was one who was always bold and fearless, even in the face of the controlling and intimidating tentacles of the State Government, as he damned the consequences.
I, therefore see Chief Benjamin Okumagba, as a good example of what Traditional Rulers should be like, and how they ought to comport themselves in the affairs of their Communities and the State. So as to be able to command the required influence, respect and high-regard from, and amongst the people they are meant to traditional-lead, without being the web of the whims and caprices of the State Government. As such, I advise the Traditional Rulers in Delta State to examine the life lived by Benjamin Okumagba, as imbibe the good example he had set.
The truth is, for any Traditional Ruler to make any positive impact in the lives of its people, such a Ruler must be seen not to be under the influence and command of the instruments of the State Government. Such a Traditional Ruler must be seen to exhibit boldness, courage, fearlessness, integrity and discipline. To be honest with you, it is usually appalling to see Traditional Rulers ridiculed and even disgraced publicly by State Governors. We saw this happen on national television earlier this year, in Rivers State, when the current State Governor, Nyesom Wike practically mocked, abused the living-day-light of the Traditional Rulers within his jurisdiction. He even pointed to one of the Monarchs while speaking, as he mocked his traditional attire, and how young he was, running around them and going on errands when he (Wike) was still in School.
Also, more recently, 12 Traditional Rulers were suspended for one year by the Anambra State Government for reportedly travelling to Abuja with oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, to see President Muhammadu Buhari, without permission. This development made the traditional ruler of Alor Community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, MacAnthony Okonkwo, to have publicly apologized to the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for embarking on the said trip to Abuja without government approval. While he was reported to have admitted that his action violated the Traditional Rulers’ Council rules guiding the operation of Monarchs in the State, the crux of the matter here is that, Traditional Rulers are today rendered ‘uninfluential’ by State Governments.
Looking at the subject example – are we aware that His Royal Highness, Benjamin Okumagba, had rejected the "Kingship Staff of Office instrument" from the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Deputy Governor, Amos Utuama Government? According to Okumagba, he said he was given the title of OROSUE of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom of Warri by his people, and not by any Government. As such, HE REJECTED ALL THE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS ATTACHED TO HIS RULERSHIP AS THE OKERE-URHOBO KINGDOM/CLAN OF WARRI PEOPLE. He did not see the need to visit the Delta State Government House and the Warri South Local Government Council Secretariat, during his reign as the OROSUE of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom/Clan of Warri.
His Royal Highness, Benjamin Okumagba was a highly principled and disciplined traditional ruler, and bluntly spoke his mind at all times, no matter who and what was involved. He said a Traditional Ruler should not be running after top Government officials. Benjamin Okumagba was a brave and a no-nonsense person, who was also very intelligent. He was not a "follow-follow king", as we see other Traditional Rulers today, who run around as errands boys of State Governors.
Zik Gbemre.
August 17, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes