By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
Olorogun Jacob Djedjomahor said the ascension of the position of Ohworode of Olomu is not by birth as every son of the kingdom can ascend the throne. Olorogun Djedjomahor stated this today Wednesday, when he led Oghoro Ruling House to pay homage to the departed Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM.(Dr.) Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Ogho I JP. who recently joined his ancestors at the age of 106years, the homage which forms part of activities marking the burial ceremony of the Monarch.
He said: “Our Succession is not by birth. Every son of Olomu has the right to lead and ascend the throne. It’s not one family affair..”.
He said, Olomu Kingdom is made up of three ruling houses, saying the passage of the revered Monarch is not the end of Olomu Kingdom. According to him, the Otota who is the traditional Prime Minister and Spokesperson of the Kingdom will ascend the throne as the Ohworode at the due time.
He added that by this, the Akpile’s position holder at present would move to the position of the Prime Minister saying, Oghoro Rulling House that were there for the day, would select an Akpile for Olomu.
He said:”The Akpile position holder currently will move to the position of Prime Minister and the Oghoro Ruling House that are here today will select an Akpile for Olomu”.
According to Djedjomahor, the people cannot continue to farm in the old ways and expect better productivity adding, the lands are getting smaller just as he said, they are getting poorer saying, it is time most of them who have the means in Olomu to bring Agro-industries as with Agro-industries, there an offshoot of processing industries.
On his part, The Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje(SAN)said, the event was impressive saying, they are displaying their loyalty, and respect. The Legal Practitioner added that the departed Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom was a fantastic man that was endowed with much knowledge. According to him, somebody once said, the Monarch was an encyclopedia of Urhobo Land as there was nothing one would ask him(Monarch) that he would not know and expressed gratitude that when the late King was alive, many of them were able to learn from him.
He said:” Thank God, while he was alive, he was able to tell us very many of them. So, we are keeping the records. We will surely miss him. We have learnt a lot from him and the man who is next to him has been the Otota”.
According to him, the Otota must have understudied the Monarch such that, most of the things he would do, would almost be the same as the late king adding, he himself was a stranger in their midst. He said:” As you can see, I am still learning, God’s willing, I will catch up and I want God to give us the wisdom to be able to pull through.”
On his part, the Managing Director of ND Western, Olorogun Ochuko Abamwa said the Monarch lived to the ripe age and therefore he was grateful to God. According to him, ordinarily, the Monarch’s demise would have been a period of sadness but because he lived long and in good health, they are happy. He therefore advised the people of Olomu Kingdom not to cut corners in the selection of who ascends the throne.
Not left out is Olorogun(Dr.) Ebenezar Okorodudu. He said the King is actually from Oghoro Ruling House and was the oldest man Oghoro Ruling House, that’s why, a day was set aside for them to celebrate him. Olorogun(Dr)Okorodudu who is the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Governor-elect of Delta State, Rt .Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori said, during the reign of the Monarch, the Kingdom knew peace as he was a carrier of grace. He said, all through the Monarch’s reign as a King, the Kingdom experienced massive infrastructural developments especially, constant supply of electricity.