By Ambrose Ologide
The Chairman Agbarha Warri Regency Council High Chief Willie Atebefia Digbori JP has applauded the people of the ancient Agbarha Warri community , Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State over the peaceful installation of their Okpako R” Ovwodo ( most eldest person ) , Chief ( Pa) Pius Okene .
He made the commendation during the formal introduction of the new eldest person of the community to the Regency Council at Agbarha Warri Regency Hall Igbudu on Tuesday 9th May, 2023.
Digbori in his speech , traced the practice of introduction of an Okpako R Ovwodo to the reign of the immediate past tradititioal ruler of the kingdom HRM London Aforkerhi Itu JP Ememoh 11 fondly called Orhifi.( of blessed memory )
While stating the requirements for the attainment of an Okpako R Ovwodo, he stated that besides being the most eldest (male ) person, he must be domicile in the community .
” In the event of another older person living outside the community, he will delegate his elderly position to the next elderly person that is domicile in the community to be installed as the Okpako R Ovwodo.
” A person that lives in diaspora cannot be installed as an Okpako R Ovwodo ” he added.
Digbori further recalled that HRM Ememoh 11 ( of blessed memory ) decreed that an Okpako R Ovwodo is an automatic chief and a king maker .
Earlier the Unuovwodo ( tradititioal representative of the Ovie of Agbarha Warri ) of Otovwodo (Agbassa) Community, High Chief Julius Tobore Edafiadjebre ( JP ) who led the delegation of a cross section of the community to the historic event, proudly and gladly disclosed that Chief ( Pa ) Pius Okene was successful installed as the Okpako R Ovwodo of the community without dispute .
” We are here to formally introduce him to the Regency Council as Agbarha Warri tradition demands ” he added.
