By Cynthia Eruotor
All is set for Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON to mark his 18th year Coronation Anniversary on the throne of his fore bearers just as he would use the opportunity to formally unveil his biography, “Odyssey of Royalty: The Reign of Abi 1, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom”.
The ceremony which its Chief Host is Chief Hon. Solomon Igbrakpata, which would take place next month in his palace- Uvwie Local Government Area Delta State and it is expected to be graced by distinguished personalities among whom are the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; members of the National and State Assemblies, ministers, commissioners, traditional rulers, as well as other eminent guests from across the country.
According to the Media Consultant to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Omafume Amurun and member of the organising committee, lots of activities have been lined up to mark the celebration that would begin on 7 February, 2026. According to him, the activities include a 21-gun salute to herald the commencement of the 18th coronation anniversary and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on about 36 deserving individuals.
On 10th February, various quarters of the Uvwie Kingdom would pay homage to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom at his palace and this would be followed by the 14th February by the landmark launch of the historic biography of His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, the book which would be reviewed by Professor Joe Abugu, SAN.
While the On 16 February, newly installed chiefs would, in turn, pay homage to the monarch. The climax of the celebrations would be on the 18th February with the thanksgiving Mass and event formally closes with a 21-gun salute at 7:00 Pm to the glory of God. Highlighting some of the features of Uvwie Kingdom, the Media Consultant to Royal Father, Amurun said, the present traditional administrative units (Etche) in the kingdom are: Etche R’ Alegbor, Etche R’ Ogbe Etche R’ Ekpan, Etche R’ Ugbomro, Etche R’Erovie, Etche R’ Ugboroke,Etche R’ Ovwori, Etche R’ Oriokpor and Etche R’ Ohore.
Some of the major towns and communities within Uvwie Local Government Area include Effurun, Ekpan, Enerhen, Ugboroke, Ugbomro, and Ugborikoko, among others. According to him, the area is well connected by major road networks such as the Refinery Road, Airport Road (now Sheriff Oborevwori Road), Effurun-Sapele Road, Jakpa Road, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Road, and the NPA Expressway, among others.
According to His Royal Father’s Media Consultant, Amurun, Uvwie also hosts several prominent hotels, industries, and key government and educational institutions which include BON Hotel, Bedouin Hotel, Kayriott Hotel, Wellington Hotel, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, Nigerian Gas Infrastructure, Daewoo Nigeria Limited, Chevron Nigeria Limited, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), and the Delta State Technical College just as he said, the Delta State Housing Estate, Ugborikoko, is also located within the local government area.
Again, prominent religious institutions within Uvwie include the First Baptist Church, Mercyland, the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Minor Seminary, Effurun, as well as numerous other churches spread across the kingdom. Also, Uvwie hosts key security and military establishments which include the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, popularly known as Effurun Barracks; the Police Area Command, Effurun; the Nigerian Navy Hospital; and the Navy helipad and helicopter holding facility – all strategically located within the local government area.
According to the Media Consultant to His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON, the first airport in Delta State, situated along Airport Road, Ugborikoko, was built on Uvwie land as this further underscores the kingdom’s historical significance just as it hosts the NNPC Housing Complex, Ekpan which shows its importance. Again, Uvwie is one of the twenty-four traditional kingdoms in Urhoboland and serves as a major gateway to the South-South geopolitical zone as it is bounded by Warri, Udu, Agbarho, and Okpe, placing it at the heart of regional connectivity.
According to Amurun, beyond physical development, the people of Uvwie are renowned for their warm hospitality, while the kingdom remains a vibrant epicentre of tradition and culture, therefore, the Kingdom stands as one of the most industrialised areas in Nigeria, as well as a major hub for commercial, political, and socio-economic activities in Delta State.