By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Nigeria’s oldest monarch and the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Richard Ogbon Ogoni Oghoro 1, has led chiefs, son and daughters of the kingdom to thank God for His goodness towards Olomu Kingdom, just as he lamented the socio economic situation in the country, describing it as backward.
According to the Olomu traditional ruler, the thanksgiving was meant to awake Olomu Kingdom from socio-economic, political and spiritual slumber.
Speaking during the reception at the palace, the monarch said that he was pained by the lack of economic development despite the fact that Olomu was one of the oil-bearing kingdoms in the country.
He noted that the Utorogun Gas Plant in Otu-Jeremi was being supplied with gas from Olomu but while Jeremy enjoyed the economic benefits of hosting the gas plant, Olomu Kingdom was left with nothing to show for it.
Oghoro 1 noted that recently, the federal government sent delegates to assess oil producing kingdoms in the country where Olomu Kingdom was left out, but for his protest letter to the federal government, the kingdom would have been left out completely.
The Olomu monarch said thathis kingdom lacked a palace, hospital, banks and university,and appealed to governments at all levels to look into the matter for the development of the kingdom.
He attributed some of the shortfalls in the development of the kingdom to lack of the fear of God, respect for leadership, love and unity of purpose, which he said was needed to attract development to the kingdom.
While appealing to community leaders to release land for development projects where the need arises, the monarch called for the convocation of Olomu National Conference for issues affecting the kingdom to be discussed.
He also encouraged sons and daughters of the kingdom to be actively involved in politics and support one another to grow politically, especially during the next political dispensation.
The traditional ruler commended Delta StateGovernor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for being the first to donate towards the building ofthe palace for the kingdom and for the development of the state under his administration.
He commended the planning committee, led by Chief Sam Oboramohwoyeren, Chief John Oguma, the Spokesperson of Olomu Kingdom, Chief Macaulay Owagbedia, the Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, Chief Albert Akpomudje, SAN, and others for their support in the actualisation of the thanksgiving program.
Earlier, the servant of God, Venerable Robinson Ayandju,commended the Olomumonarch for the annualthanksgiving, just as he charged Christians to always cultivate the habit of thankfulness to God for His protection and care.
Ayandju said that people were carried away by personal interest and selfishness hence they find it difficult to thank God.
The ceremony was rounded-off with the cutting of thethanksgiving cake by the Olo.
