* Gives erring youths reprieve
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Festus Ekenaye remains the Okaighele (headship of the youths) of Obagie – Nevbosa Village, Ikpoba – Okha local Government Council Area of Edo State; as he was never removed from office, the Odionwere (Headship of the Elders’ Council) has declared.
The Odionwere; Pa. Omozuhiomwen Aguobatile Okungbowa, made the declaration on Monday, 13 June, 2022 in an enlarged meeting of the elders and people of the Village, in the Oguan edion (Sanctuary of the Ancestors).
He said the declaration was in reaction to a purported news in the media recently; by an impostor (name withheld) claiming to had been used to replace Okaighele Ekenaye.
Pa. Okungbowa unequivocally declared that Ekenaye remains the substantive, approved and recognised Okaeghele of Obagie-Nevbosa.
Warning; he said any person claiming the Okaeghele’s position other than Ekenaye is an impostor, and should be disregarded by the general public.
This is as he described the news as unfounded, misleading and a calculated attempt by some mischief-makers to cause crisis in the peaceful Community of Obagie – Nevbosa.
Also, the Odionwere and Elders in Council granted a group of airing youths of the Village, unconditional pardon.
They were said to had caused a fight in the Oguan edion thereby desecrating the holy sanctuary of the Ancestors and the entire Village land.
Consequently, they were earlier sanctioned but upon pleading for forgiveness; Ekenaye; their Leader was directed to come with them to appease the gods of the land and the Ancestors, to enable them reassume their traditional functions in the Village.
The youths showing remorse therefore, met all the traditional conditions imposed on them and were appropriately pardoned, by the Odionwere, elders and people of the Village.
Satisfied with rebirth of the youths in their conduct, Pa. Okungbowa commended the Okaeghele for his sterling leadership qualities, and developmental strides in the Village.
He urged, the Okaighele should continue to champion the course of peace and progress; in Obagie-Nevbosa.
In their separate remarks, the Ozukpogieva (2nd-In-Command), and Chairman of Elders’ Council of the Village, Owenaze Igbinedion and Michael Alohan, corroborated the Odionwere, stating; that Festus Ekenaye, was never suspended nor removed as Okaeghele of the Village.
Meanwhile; the Youths in wild jubilation shortly after appeasing the gods and ancestors of the land; expressed gratitude to the Odionwere, Elders and people of Obagie-Nevbosa for the unconditional pardon of their sin, promising to be of good conduct henceforth.
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