(PHOTOS): Pomp And Pageantry As Okowa Presents Staff Of Office To Journalist-Turned Monarch In Delta

It was all pomp and pageantry on Monday as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, presented Staff Of Office to His Royal Majesty (HRM) King Obokuwho Arthur Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom.

The new monarch, a journalist by profession emerged monarch almost two years after the former traditional ruler, HRM Edward Igho Otadaferua, Erhiekevwe 1, joined his ancestors in 2018.

Presenting the state of office to the monarch in a colorful ceremony held at Idjerhe primary school, Governor Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, urged the new traditional ruler to be kind and fair in dealing with his people.

The governor urged the people to strive to promote the integrity of the stool by according “full respect to His Royal Majesty, which he truly deserves”, the governor added.

“I appeal to you to discharge all your responsibilities by being fair and just. You are the father of all your subjects, so you should be fair to all and sundry. As the custodian of the tradition of your people, it is important that you uphold the sanctity of their customs.

“I urge you all to give him your fullest support and cooperation. The Ovie is one of you, I therefore, call on every son and daughter of Idjerhe to bury any differences and work together with the Ovie for the sustainable peace and progress of the kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area and indeed the state,” he said.

“I sincerely appeal to you to imbibe the democratic virtues of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with the people, so as to carry all your people along”.

Until his installation and subsequent government recognition, the veteran journalist who had spent over three decades in active journalism practice, was the South-South Regional Editor of National Daily Newspaper.

He was the first Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the pioneer executive chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) between 2007 and 2010.

The monarch who had his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, is a current PhD student at the Delta State University, Abraka.

Below are some photographs from the colourful ceremony.