Obuguru springs up as autonomous community in Ogulagha Kingdom, inaugurates new Exco
As community chairman vows to deal with developmental challenges
It was dawn of a new era in the life of Obuguru community in Oil rich Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as the people swears in new Executive members of the community in grand style.
Obuguru community, popularly known as AGIP, has been existing for long but was not recognized as an autonomous community in the Kingdom which was under the leadership of Ogulagha community.
How the youths, men and women defiled the rain with cheerful mood in their large numbers to grace the historic inauguration ceremony of the new Executive members speaks volumes of the unprecedented happiness that had engulfed members of the community.
However, newly inaugurated chairman of Obuguru community, Mr. Julius Oweipade had vowed to aggressively deal with the developmental challenges of the community.
The Chairman made the statement in his inaugural welcome address yesterday at the Obuguru community town hall, stressing that he will constantly liase with all relevant stakeholders in Ogulagha Kingdom to facilitate the much needed development of the community.
The welcome address reads in part: “I feel extremely joyful to have all of these dignitaries here present to witness the first ever inauguration of the executive council of an autonomous Obuguru community.
“Our history is unique and our struggle to get to this point of communal independence is a story that defines the virtues of purpose, unity and resilience; Though it had its high and low moments. The bravery of our founders guided us to resiliently pursue our dreams of becoming a community amongst equals in Ogulagha Kingdom.
“Today, myself and all other members of the Executive accept this responsibility bestowed on us with all sense of responsibility and commitment as we pledge to be committed to pursuing and promoting the interest of our community at all times.
“It is this desire to attain our collective goal that makes it incumbent on us to enjoin every member of this community, both home and abroad to forge our abilities together to create new frontiers for growth and development.
“We are coming onboard to pilot the affairs of the community for the next three years on the collective mandate of every member of Obuguru community. It is with that understanding that we promise to serve our people to the best abilities.
“Let me quickly express our deep gratitude to the Executive Chairman and other members of the Executive Council of Burutu Local Government Area who intervened to settle the leadership crisis we had and for finding time to attend this event today. There is no doubt that you have the interest of your people at heart.
“We cease this opportunity to request the Burutu Executive Council to assist us in restoring the community power generating set and in the long run consider the provision of a primary health care facility to cater for our basic health needs as well as renovate the dilapidated primary school building.
“Our call to action also goes to the Nigeria Agip Oil company to resume full operations in its Beniboye as we are willing to partner with NAOC as their host community by providing the peaceful and secured environment for their activities while we also enjoin them to implement the items contained in its MoU with Ogulagha Kingdom especially as it affects linking Obuguru to Ogulagha by road.
“In conclusion, it is important more than ever for the Ogulagha Kingdom communities and all Ogulagha indigenes to shun the reasons that divide us and live in unity and brotherhood”.
Chairman of Obuguru had in an interview with newsmen shortly after the inauguration had further calld on the Federal, State and multinational Oil Company, particularly NAOC to come to their aide, noting that the community lacks virtually all basic social amenities.
According to him: “There is no power supply, no road, no health care facility, no water, no secondary school, we need piling of our community with the host of other issues that had continued to rock us as a people despite our economic viability”
Meanwhile, representing the Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area during the inauguration ceremony of the Oweipade’s led Obuguru community Exco, Chief Combolous Ikisa, vice Chairman of the council had in his remark during the occasion charged the new Executive members to be transparent in their dealings.
The Burutu Local Government Council Vice Chairman had particularly commended the people of Obuguru for their peaceful conduct, stressing that the community is very dear to Burutu Local Government hence his presence.
“I stayed in Obuguru community before leaving to continue my life journey in other climes. I am so happy that I am returning to this community under such capacity today. This is my home. I appreciate Obuguru for the peaceful conduct, be transparent, sincere , run an all inclusive Government, consult all stakeholders in the community, you must align yourself in tandem with the leadership of Ogulagha Kingdom.” Chief Ikisa.
Also speaking, Chief Godwin Korebo; Vice Chairman of Ogulagha community and others who spoke during the event had tasked the new Executive members to consult properly before embarking on any journey, stressing that the future is bright for Obuguru community while describing the inauguration as the dawn of a new era in the community.
The newly inaugurated members of Obuguru community include: “Mr Julius Oweipade, Chairman; Mr. Biawei Disi, Vice Chairman; Mr. Balagha Patrick, Secretary; Mr. Burutu Alfred, Public Relations Officer, PRO; Mr. Roland Isereke, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Jacob Biyenbo, Welfare Secretary; Mr. Endurance Oluwami, Financial Secretary as well as Mr. Omos Wednesday, Treasurer.
It would be recalled that Obuguru community is host to Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, with a flowstation situated in the community.
High point of the inauguration ceremony was the magnificent cultural display of Obuguru cultural troupe that entertained the gathering to its bewilderment and maximum satisfaction.
On the entourage of the vice Chairman of Burutu Local Government were Mr. Afidi Ebiarede, Comr. Pondy Ebipadeowei, Comr. Joseph Wurusibewei, Hon. Nathan Tubotu as well as Mr. Julius Bekenawei.
Prominent sons of Obuguru community that added more colour to the event were Deacon Akpos Seimode, Comr. Victor Isereke with the host of other elders, women and youths that turned out massively for the ceremony.
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