23 Years After, High Chief Ajaino Settles Rift With Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom

By Daniel Dafe

High Chief John Ajaino

After 23 years of a strained relationship, Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has fully reconciled with one of her illustrious sons, High Chief John Macaulay Ajaino.

High Chief Ajaino’s offence we gathered was his support for Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom during the tussle between the two sister kingdoms (Oruarivie and Umiaghwa) over issues of kingship.

High Chief John Ajaino in a group photograph with some family members after the occasion

Since then, he functioned as a Chief in Umiaghwa Abraka where he played the role as an adviser to the monarch, as he deserted his people.

In a brief and colourful ceremony, Pa Ajaino led members of his family to the community’s town hall at Otorho yesterday, June 12, 2020, where he met with leaders of the community and stated his desire to be reinstated into the leadership circle of the kingdom.

Speaking to Oasis Magazine (OM) exclusively, High Chief Ajaino, the Enita of Abraka Kingdom, said that he was happy about the peaceful settlement with his people, adding that the ceremony was successful and is commendable.

Narrating what led to his actions that made him active in Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom and not Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom, he said that the whole matter started when he decided to align with the people of Umiaghwa Abaraka, saying that he stood with them because an agreement that the kingship be rotated was breached.

He continued: “When it was the turn of Umiaghwa, Oruarivie said no. This happened 23 years ago; but my children said I have served Umiaghwa Abraka enough and that I should return home to reconcile with my people. There is no place like home.

“I was making a mistake, but when I realized my mistake I returned back home.”

The 95-year-old chief promised to despite his age contribute his quota to building a greater kingdom just like he did in Umiaghwa Abraka.”

“I was told by the community to replicate what I did in the other kingdom and that is exactly what I will do,” he opined.

He commended the kingdom for their patience and decision to accept him back to the forum.

Also responding to questions from OM the eldest son of the celebrant, Chief Nestor Ajaino and two others, Engineer Kenneth Ajaino and Mr. Lucky Ajaino (papa’s children) thanked the community for accepting their father back into the fold.

Nestor added: “It was a programme of settlement between Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom and my father.”

He congratulated his father, adding that all 22 children of papa played a key role to actualize the settlement.

On his part, Engr. Kenneth described the ceremony as a very joyous one.

According to him, they played a key role in the settlement, saying that the issue started when they were still kids, but when they grew up they urged their father to reconcile with his people.

“We are happy that the youths and other persons from the two opposed sides maintained peace and did not resort to fighting till the government through the courts settled the matter.”

In the same vein, Comrade Lucky, a staff of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, said they are excited about the development, adding that they deemed it fit to bring their father back to his fatherland.

His words: “He was installed as the Enita of Abraka land in 1980 and he served with the then first Ovie and became the Secretary General of the kingdom till 1994.

“When HRH Luke Ejowhomu (Adakaji) was installed as the 2nd Ovie of Abraka Kingdom, he also served as the substantive Secretary till the monarch’s demise in 2010.

“After a court judgment fragmented Abraka kingdom into two, my father has been serving as a chief with Umiaghwa Abraka kingdom.

“But today, he has come back home and associated with the traditional council of chiefs. We are glad that he is blessed and still alive. He is still very strong and we are happy to rejoice with him.

“The children decided to bankroll the ceremony because we wanted him to be on the same page with his people. A lot of people had to be pacified because of the role he played for Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom. He has been accepted back by all a sundry.”

Lucky wished his father long life and prosperity and the health to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

While thanking the community for the role they played to actualize the reconciliation, he said that his wishes for his father was for him to live long to become the oldest man in the community.