By: Omoregie Elvis
The Oba of Benin has been nominated to Chairman the Committee of
Traditional Rulers of Oil, Mineral Producing States (TROMPCOM)
comprising Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ondo, AkwaIbom and
Cross River states.
The Patron of TROMPCOM and Amanayabo of Brass in Bayelsa State, His
Royal Highness, KingDiete Spiff announced this when he paid Oba Ewuare
II a courtesy visit in his Palace in Benin City.
He informed the Benin Monarch that the body was formed to address the
problems posed by oil exploration and gas flaring in the area, in
order to bring succour to the people of the oil producing states,
whose environment have been devastated by it.
King Diete Spiff explained that the chairmanship of the body is
rotational every two years, and that is now the turn of Edo State to
chairman the body, hence he decided to come personally to plead with
the Oba of Benin to honour them by accepting the chairmanship.
The Amanayabo of Brass said if the people of the oil producing states
are impacted on positively, unemployment and youth restiveness in the
area would be taken care of.
The Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II expressed
gratitude to King Diete Spiff for the invitation extended to him to
chairman the body, adding that he accepts to take the responsibility
and prayed God and the ancestors to grant him the wisdom and good
health to do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him.
His Royal Majesty however called for the utilization of the abundant
gas resources instead of flaring it to cause environmental and health
hazards for the people.
The Benin Monarch used the opportunity to welcome President Mohammadu
Buhari back home and thank God for his quick recovery.
Oba Ewuare II told his guest that he would soon embark on nation-wide
thank you tour, beginning with a visit to President Buhari in Abuja,
after which he hope to visit traditional rulers in the south-south and
other parts of the country.
The Oba of Benin also received the Otaru of Igarra, His Royal
Highness, ObaE.A.Saiki III, who was in the Palace to inform the
Monarch about his 20th Coronation Anniversary coming up in October
this year as well as the Aba Igarra Festival which is celebrated once
in seven years.
The Otaru of Igarra invited His Royal Majesty to both events as
special guest and royal father.
Oba Ewuare II expressed delight that both of them have something in
common as they were coronated in the month of October.
The Oba of Benin assured that a high power delegation would be sent
to represent the Palace, and wished him a successful anniversary
celebration.