INTERVIEW: DELSU Management Has Neglected Oruarivie-Abraka Kingdom— PG

Hon. Emmanuel Idoghor is the present President General of Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom, after he was sworn in recently by the Ovie, HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh, Ojeta II. In this interview, he speaks on his motivation for indicating interest for the position, his mission and the challenges of the community he intends to tackle with the help of his executive, amongst other issues.
Read on!
How do you feel as the president-general of Oruraivie-Abraka Kingdom?
Well, I will start by thanking the Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka kingdom, HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh Ojeta II, for giving us the opportunity to serve this great kingdom. It is my humble prayer that God will continue to give him the strength to lead this kingdom to enviable heights. Also, I want to thank the people for believing in me, and I assure that I will not let them down. I feel happy because I have always had the aspiration to lead my people and by God’s grace, this dream has come to fulfillment. My people deserve quality leadership and I am confident that I will deliver good leadership to my people. I have what it takes to move the kingdom forward because members of my executive committee are intellectuals and I know we will bring our wealth of experience to bear in the administration of the kingdom.
What, would you say informed your decision to contest for the position of PG?
Like I said earlier, I have always had this innate desire to lead my people. And this burning desire can only be actualized if I become the PG. In view of this inspiration, I contested and by the special grace of God, I succeeded. I will do everything within my powers to ensure that my administration succeeds at the end of our tenure.
At the moment, what are some of the challenges facing the kingdom and how do you intend to surmount these challenges?
One of the current and most pressing challenges facing the kingdom is incessant neglect by the management of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. As you know, Oruarivie-Abraka kingdom is the host community of the university, but we have not benefited the way we ought to as host community and this is a major challenge to this kingdom. We have not benefited in the area of provision of job opportunities and contracts have not being awarded to indigenes of the community. Now that we have come on board, I will fix a meeting between the Vice-Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Victor Peretomode and my executive to ensure that the VC works with the edict establishing the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, so that we can get what is due to our kingdom as host community. I want to use this opportunity to call on the Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to prevail on the VC to use the edict establishing the university so that our kingdom can benefit as a kingdom. Also, the problem of Hausa/ Fulani herdsmen in Ovre-Abraka farmlands is a challenge. It is no longer news that Hausa/Fulani herdsmen have continually attacked, maimed, raped and killed our indigenes and we want the government to address this issue once and for all. Crime rate has increased in Abraka and now that we have come on board, we will tackle this issue headlong. On electricity, there is always epileptic power supply in Abraka, but recently we met with the Manager of BEDC in Abraka and we have fashioned out ways to solve the problem.
Now that you have come on board, what is the first line of action of your administration?
To ensure that Oruarivie-Abraka kingdom experiences speedy development, growth and security. We will put machineries in place to ensure the security of life and property because development cannot thrive in an environment of insecurity and rancor. The kingdom’s Chief Security Officer, CSO, will work day and night with the Divisional Police Officer. We have set machineries in place to secure the kingdom in such a way that all the a Ruling Houses in the kingdom now have their own Vigilante and a central body which Bevin charge of the various ruling houses that make up the kingdom. We want to commend the DPO who has always being providing security for the community and we will continue to support him so that crime rate will be reduced to the barest minimum.
Now that you are living your dream of leading your people, what are some of your plans for the kingdom?
We plan to develop the kingdom more than the way we met it. We will equally ensure that there is peace and unity in the kingdom as well as improve upon the developmental drives of the kingdom so that at end of our tenure, Oruarivie-Abraka will be wearing the coloration befitting of a university host community.
What are some of your expectations from the indigenes to enable you and executive carry out your duties in the kingdom effectively?
Well, we only want them to give us their full cooperation. We want them to cooperate with us because the only way we can deliver on our mandate is when we have unalloyed support of the people. You know, as the popular saying goes “A tree cannot make a forest”. We cannot succeed as an executive without the support of the people we are leading. We want them to work-hand-in-hand with us so that we can succeed in moving the kingdom to greater heights. They can support us by carrying out certain directives whenever the need arises, they can also help us succeed by being law abiding and eschew those activities that will bring the kingdom to disrepute. If they give us their support, I can assure you with every fibre of my being, we will deliver.
Lastly, what is your message to the youths?
I want our youths to steer clear of crime. Crime and criminality will and can never do you any good. You must develop yourselves in all ramifications. For those of you who are students, concentrate on your studies and steer clear of bad gangs so that your purpose in the university or polytechnic as the case may be can achieved. Some of you are not from wealthy homes, your parents have sacrificed so much to put you in school, do not fail them. Again, for those doing hand works, do it to the best of your ability and God will crown your efforts with success. And for those of you yet to secure a job after graduation, do not take to crime; rather, learn a skill. We are aware of the issue of unemployment, but you must not allow that to deter you from making headway in life. Some of you are now going into “Yahoo Yahoo”, you must understand that such illicit trade will not make you successful in life because you cannot become rich at the expense of another. That is not the design of God. God expects you not to engage in evil trade, but engage in legitimate trade. I want to assure you today that as many of you that are ready and willing to move your lives forward in a legitimate ways, I will give them the necessary support to make headway in life. In the same vein, I want to also let you know that this administration will not tolerate any form of crime by our youths; we will not hesitate to discipline them accordingly.