Governor Oborevwori Presents Staff Of Office To First Ovie Of Oyede Kingdom

By Andrew Ejovwo Abuza

Oasis Magazine reports that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, on Friday formally presented the Staff of Office to the First Ovie of Oyede Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Sir Engr. Dr. Goodnews Goodman Agbi, Athuaro I, in a historic ceremony held at the Catholic Church Field, Oyede, Isoko North Local Government Area.

The Governor was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, who described the occasion as a defining moment in the history of Oyede Kingdom and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions.

The presentation of the Staff of Office officially confirmed the recognition of His Royal Majesty as the first Ovie of Oyede Kingdom, following the community’s transition from its centuries-old Odio-Ologbo system of traditional leadership to the newly established Ovieship institution.

Born on February 2, 1960, in Enuto, Oyede, the monarch attended Orile Iganmu Primary School, Lagos; St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the University of Lagos; the University of Calabar; Staton University, Florida, United States; and Delta State University, Abraka.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, Master of Engineering degrees in Structures and Civil Geotechnics, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Ph.D. in Monetary Economics. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE), the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (FNIStructE), and the Institute of Policy Management Development (FIPMD). He is also a Knight of St. John International (KSJI).

In his welcome address, the President-General of the Oyede Clan Union, Surv. Chief (Dr.) Peter Ededajiroghor Akarogbe, described the occasion as a landmark in the history of the kingdom. He said it marked the beginning of a new era while preserving the customs and traditions handed down by their forefathers.

Akarogbe disclosed that the Delta State Executive Council, at its meeting of July 3, 2026, approved the appointment of His Royal Majesty, thereby validating his emergence after his coronation on April 4, 2026.

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He explained that the kingdom adopted the Ovieship system after the death of the last Odio-Ologbo in 2025, ending the traditional practice under which the oldest man automatically became the community’s traditional head. The new monarchy, approved and gazetted by the Delta State Government in 2020, provides for the rotation of the royal stool among the Athuaro, Okro and Omogbe ruling houses.

According to him, His Royal Majesty, a prince of the Athuaro Royal House, emerged as the consensus candidate following the unanimous endorsement of the kingdom’s nine kingmakers representing the three ruling houses.

On behalf of the people of Oyede Kingdom, Akarogbe expressed appreciation to Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for recognizing the kingdom through the presentation of the Staff of Office. He also urged sons and daughters of the kingdom to remain united and support the reign of the new monarch.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. (Elder) Prince Godwin Ogorugba, congratulated the monarch and prayed that God would grant him wisdom, good health, strength and a long, peaceful and impactful reign.

Presenting the Staff of Office, Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, on behalf of Governor Oborevwori, said the occasion would remain a memorable chapter in the history of Oyede Kingdom.

He described the Staff of Office as both a symbol of royal authority and a call to lead with wisdom, integrity and fairness. He urged the people of the kingdom to give their monarch their full support, emphasizing that the Delta State Government values the role of traditional rulers in promoting peace, unity and grassroots development.

Onyeme assured the monarch of the continued support of the Delta State Government and prayed for divine wisdom to guide his reign.

The highlight of the ceremony was the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Sir Engr. Dr. Goodnews Goodman Agbi, Athuaro I, officially ushering in his reign as the First Ovie of Oyede Kingdom.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Delta State Commissioners for Health and for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme and Hon. Chief Goodnews Emamusi Obiodeh; Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon. (Comrade) Ovoke Friday Warri; Professor (Mrs.) Beauty O. Alloh, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Delta State University, Oleh Campus; Professor James Okoro, Rector of Delta State Marine Polytechnic, Burutu; Her Royal Majesty, Lady Patience Ome Goodnews Agbi; traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics, community leaders, students and other invited guests from across Delta State.