Orogho Elders, Youths Place Curse On Those Causing Trouble In Community
...Says Enogie Performs Festivals Every Year
Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin
Following the recent press conference held in the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo state Council by Concerned Indigenes Stakeholders of Orogho community whereby the Enogie, Prince Patrick Osayande Akenzua was accused of abandoning his local activities.
The Council of Elders, women and youths of Orogho Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State has rejected claims that the community’s Enogie has been absent from its festivals and other activities, describing the allegations as false which lacks evidence of truth.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Elder Godwin Aguebor, explained while briefing journalists during a meeting of the Council of Elders in Orogho locality.
The clarification followed the allegations made by Mr. Osahon Imaru, who accused the Enogie of overseeing the affairs of the community through proxies.
Imaru also raised concerns over the management of community funds.
Elder Aguebor's dismissed the allegations, saying there was no truth to the claims.
He maintained that the Enogie had consistently participated in the community’s festivals and other important activities, contrary to claims attributed to some aggrieved members of the community.
In addition, the Secretary of Orogho Community, Mr. Ikponmwosa Osayomore, rejected what he described as attempts by Imaru and Mr. Stanley Osemekha to speak or act on behalf of the entire community.
" There is no doubt that Mr. Osahon Imaru and Stanley Osewenkha are indigenes of Orogho community, but they don't have the right to speak for the locality. They don't have the mandate to deputies for Orogho community.
" Because every community has a leadership structure for the purpose of internal administration," Osayomore added.
Osayomore's said that although the duo are indigenes of Orogho, they had no mandate from the community’s recognised leadership structure to represent it or speak on its behalf.
He stressed that, Orogho Community has an established leadership structure created by its people to oversee its internal administration and promote peace, order and unity.
Osayomore's explained that Imaru and Osemekha had previously participated in the community’s leadership process for about two years and were involved in the formulation of the Orogho Community Constitution.
The constitution, he said, serves as a working document for the community and provides guidelines for the nomination of members to the Orogho Community Council of Representatives.
Osayomore alleged that the disagreement involving the two men began after nominees from their quarter were not included in the Council of Representatives during the last nomination exercise.
He said they subsequently began challenging the established leadership structure, a development he warned could create tension and division within the community.
The community secretary also raised questions about Imaru’s activities as a member of the Orogho Community Board of Trustees, particularly regarding the management and utilisation of funds linked to the community’s host-community development activities.
Osayomore alleged that a borehole previously constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was refurbished and subsequently presented as a new community development project.
He called for clarification regarding the source, purpose and utilisation of the funds allegedly associated with the project.
Osayomore also questioned Imaru’s record of contributions to the development of Orogho during his years in public service, asking what tangible development projects and employment opportunities he had attracted to the community.
He stressed that the central concern of the community remained the protection of its peace, unity and development.
According to him, anyone seeking to speak or act on behalf of Orogho Community must first obtain the express mandate of its recognised leadership structure.
The Council of Elders maintained that the community’s established leadership system should be respected and that disagreements should be addressed through the appropriate internal mechanisms rather than through competing claims to represent the community.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Mr. Vincent Ayeki, accused Osahon Imaru of sponsoring fracas in Orogho community.
Ayeki's equally fingered him of siphoning 15 million naira that the Enogie gave to him settled some community leaders in Orogho locality.
He appealed to Oba of Benin and Edo state governor Senator Monday Okpebholo to come to their rescue in resolving the crisis rocking the community.
Highpoint of the event witnessed the gathering of the elders in the community ancestral shrine to place curse on those who are causing trouble in the locality.
In his reaction, Mr. Osahon Imaru said the borehole project was implemented under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) projects and urged the journalist to contact the chairman of the board for further explanations.
Osahon Imaru stated that he was only a member of the board and therefore was not in a position to provide detailed explanations about the project.
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