By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
Unenurhie, an autonomous community in Evwreni kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State recently installed their new Odion’Rode at the community’s ancestral hall with jubilation and joy.
The new Odion’Rode, His Highness, James Amuke, an Ughelli-based business tycoon was accompanied to the ancestral hall by his beloved wife, Oueen Amuke, a royal dance troupe, family members, his Igbe religious members and others.
They arrived the venue of the installation event and were happily welcomed by the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community, High Chief Frank Imudje, supported by the Akpohor, Dr. Johnson Abrucha and other members of the Odion’Rode-In-Council on behalf of the entire Unenurhie community.
Performing the rites of installation according to the Unenurhie tradition in the presence of the teeming crowds, the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community dressed the new Odion’Rode with the royal beads and finally laid the crown on the head of His Highness, James Amuke, as the newly coronated Odion’Rode of Unenurhie community.
As soon as the new Odion’Rode was crowned according to the culture and traditions of the Unenurhie people, he was then presented to the Unenurhie people and the general public as the new Odion’Rode, that was generally accepted by the generality of the entire Unenurhie people, including the elders, women and the youths by the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community, High Chief Frank Imudje.
Thereafter, the Akpohor, Dr. Johnson Abrucha offered prayers of joy, peace, longevity and abundant blessings for the Odion’Rode, His Highness, James Amuke, his household, all guests and the entire Unenurhie community. It was really a moment of joy as the Aghogho royal dance troupe heralded the new Odion’Rode into the arena with sonorous songs of royalties immediately the installation processes were fully completed in the ancestral hall.
Addressing the Unenurhie people and guests present in the occasion, the newly coronated Odion’Rode, His Highness, James Amuke thanked all the Unenurhie people for choosing him to serve them as the new Odion’Rode. He promised to rule the people with the vision of taking them to the next level.
“I’m indeed grateful to all the members of the Odion’Rode-In-Council especially the Otota’Rode and the Akpohor for doing the needful in the installation processes. I also thank our visionary president-general, Mr. Peter Maison, for all his contributions that make this dream to come to reality today. In the same way, I’m grateful to all the arms of government of this community and all UCDU branches for their immense contributions to what we are celebrating today. I thank all members of Ayode and Ariemukeke families. They have really shown me what is true love as a brother. I will also thank great members of my Igbe religious group. Their prayers and financial support are worthy of appreciation. Finally, I expressed my heartfelt appreciations to my beloved wife and all my children. I thank the entire Unenurhie community. They have wonderfully done well.”
The new Odion’Rode further said, “I want to passionately appeal to all the leaders of this our great community to give me and my council members the needed support to pilot the traditional affairs of this community. We must all know that, only one man can’t bear the burden of leadership in any way. We must partner with one another to move faster. Our dream and struggle is to become our own separate and independent kingdom. We are due for a kingdom of our own as people.
“This struggle is not a do or die affair. We have no battle with the Evwreni people. They remain our brothers and sisters till tomorrow. They should understand our plight and pains and throw their support behind us. Once again, I promise to carry everybody along in the cause of my leadership as the new Odion’Rode of Unenurhie community.”
The installation ceremony however ended with a grand reception held at the family compound of the newly crowned Odion’Rode, His Highness, James Amuke with crowds of people in attendance.
