Uvwie Day: Traditional Ruler, Ofoni, Erute, Egere, Launch War Against Drug Abusers

By Ambrose Ologide

HRM Dr Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso (JP ) OON, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, the Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Chief Hon Anthony Ofoni, the President General of Uvwie General Improvement Union (UGIU), High Chief Abovi Hope Erute and the Chairman of 2025 Uvwie Cultural Day Celebration, Chief Eric Egere have launched war against drug abusers and sellers in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

This was contained in their keynote addresses on the theme, ‘Drug Abuse: An Alien Culture And Dangerous To The Future of Uvwie People ‘ at the 2025 annual Uvwie Day celebration at Urhobo College, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, on Friday, 26th December, 2025.

The highly esteemed Uvwie monarch who is also the Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Association in his keynote address stated among other things said that “however, even as we celebrate, we must confront a menace that threatens to consume the very foundation of our existence; the destructive influence of drug abuse.

“Our theme is not merely a statement, but a battle cry; Drug Abuse: An Alien Culture And Danger To The Future of Uvwie People.”

On his part, the number one citizen of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Hon Ofoni noted that the fight is not only for himself or Umogu (the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom ), saying: “it is a collective one and we must all approach it with intentionality and all seriousness.

ALSO READ: 39th Marriage Anniversary: Ogedegbe Congratulates Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Wife

“I am using this medium to call on all parents, religious and community leaders, schools and public officers to rise up to the task”

The President General of UGIU, High Chief Abovi Hope Erute who doubles as the Isirerha of Etche R’ Alegbo (traditional administrative unit) in Uvwie Kingdom in conclusion of his address, stated that “As we celebrate our identity today, let us also pledge to fight for our future.

“The Uvwie people have overcome challenges before and with collective effort, we will overcome this one too.”

The Chairman of the epoch making event, Chief Eric Egere, an engineer who was ably represented by his elder brother , Mr Johnny Egere also spoke in the same same vein.

“This year’s annual Uvwie Day celebration featured among other events, cultural dance and march past, presentation of awards of merit , cutting of cake and inspection of artifacts ( antiques) by HRM Abe 1.

The 2025 Uvwie Cultural Day celebration was richly graced by the wife of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRH Queen Patricia Sideso JP, the Nene R’ Uvwie of Uvwie Kingdom, the son of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief ( Prince) Odafe Sideso, the 1st Vice Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Pere of Akugbene – Mein Kingdom, the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, HRM Kingsley Emakpor Orereh, crime buster Assistant Commissioner of Police( ACP), Aliu Shabba who is the Police Area Commander in charge of the newly established Effurun Police Area Command, a galaxy of Uvwie distinguished sons and daughters, non indigenes in Uvwie Local Government Area, Professor  G. G. Darah, the Provost of College of Education, Warri, Dr Dickson Onovwakpoma Oyovwi JP, the member representing Warri South Constituency 1 at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Dr Augustine Oroye, among others.