The Mackson Ode Esq.-led Illumination Executive Council of Opuede Federated Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has unveiled some of its homegrown agricultural produce to the Pere of the ancient kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba, signaling the riverine creek community's participation in the agro industry through its Opuede Farms and Foods Processing Industries Limited venture.

The presentation of the homegrown packaged produce of Opuede Farms and Foods Processing Ind. Ltd were made at the golden palace in Oporoza community, the traditional headquarters of the kingdom, by the 14-month old exco of Opuede as led by the chairman, Ode Esq., on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Also presented was a symbolic Lion vanilla cake tagged "End of the Year Thank You Visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom" in appreciation to the Pere's support, guidance and prayers towards the development of the community.

According to the chairman of the Illumination Executive of Opuede Federated Community, it became imperative to make the community an agro-productive hub in order to attract self-development and to create jobs for indigenes without having to be totally dependent on external investors.

However, the leadership of Opuede also appealed to His Majesty to intervene in helping to resuscitate its only primary school as well as attract other infrastructural projects to the community.

His Majesty, who was delighted at the development, commended the Opuede exco for daring to change the narrative and for setting the pace in the agro business in the kingdom.

The Pere assured them of his support and offered his royal blessings on the community and the Illumination Executive Council as led by Ode Esq.

Among the members of the Illumination Exco are some leaders of Opuede including Chief Money Ode, women and youths of the community

Earlier, in an end of year message tagged 'Message of Hope Advancements and Illumination', the Chairman attributed the significant progress made by the exco to the support of stakeholders in Opuede while also listing its achievements in the 14 month period the exco has been overseeing the affairs of the community.

The full message reads, "I want to wholeheartedly thank God Almighty for His mercies and grace upon my life as clearly manifest in the current state of our Dear Opuede Federated Community. We are certainly not where we should have been but, we are not where we used to be about 13 months ago.

"I won't take for granted the unflinching support of the great people of Opuede. From the Elders Council to the Dynamic and Ever conscious Youth body to the Women group and indeed some of our brothers and sisters who are not physically present but have made very significant impact towards the struggle of emancipation and success to this point. I want to say a big thank you to you ALL.

"It's a wise man that said, "An unexamined life is not worth living". It's therefore on this note that it becomes imperative to among other things attempt to look at where we are coming from and where we are going as the year 2024 winds down in two days.

"However, before I proceed with my narration, I want to unconditionally tender an unreserved apologies to everyone I may have offended in one way or the other in the cause of my leadership as the Chairman of Opuede Federated Community or as an individual. I AM DEEPLY SORRY. It was not intentional or malicious. It could be as a result of my burning desire to build Opuede of our dreams. I am only human and no human in infallible. BIESEKUMOR.

"Meanwhile, during the period under review (the about 14 months) of the Illumination Executive ably led by my humble self, we have made significant progress towards achieving our dreams for our dear Opuede Community despite paucity of funds. It should be noted that, Opuede for NOW is not an Oil Producing Community. So, it's not an Host Community to any of the Oil Companies operating within the Escravos and Gbaramatu corridor. However, we are making frantic efforts towards correcting this anomalies and broad day robbery. By God's grace and in making the right diplomatic moves, there shall be light in the end of the tunnel.

"Furthermore, about 14 months ago before this administration was berthed, there was no way anyone could move within Opuede at night without the aid of torch lights or hurricane lamps. Today the story is different. The walkways and paths of Opuede town are now adorned with High-powered Solar Street lights just as we have them in other big towns in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

"Also, the issue of water which had assumed a hopeless situation especially during the dry season like this, is NOW a thing of the past. There had been only one WELL in the entire Opuede Federated Community. The walls around the well had caved in so that when it rains, water get directly into the well and the water become very dirty and muddy, yet, the people of Opuede had no choice but to still drink of such a well. Thank God today, the Illumination Executive has provided three brand new Ring WELLs in the community. One within Ode Quarter, one with Ibime Quarters and one with Zion.

"Still in the line of progress. The only Primary School in the entire Opuede Federated Community was completely abandoned because of lack of teachers. NOW, the Illumination Executive has influenced the employment and posting of 3 new qualified teachers to the school. In order to get the children of primary school age back to school, the Illumination Executive has set up a committee to go into the Creeks and villages to bring the children to school and take them back every week and weekend respectively. With this and many more positive approaches, we are sure to revive and sustain the growth and progress of the school thereby guarantee a progressive and virile education for our younger ones. Meanwhile, in ensuring a conducive learning and teaching environment, the Illumination Executive has reached out to both interventionists agencies and State government for support in renovation of the school building.

"Still in line of progress made, the Illumination Executive bought about 100 solid plastic chairs and tables for community use whenever the occasion demands.

"In addition to the above visible results and progress made with the about 14 months of the Illumination Executive, there are plethora of other gigantic projects awaiting manifestation. There have been lots of engagements and diplomatic moves to attract projects that will change the narrative of Our Dear Opuede Federated Community in few months and years to come.

"We shall keep working and exploring available options for the greater good and progress of our Dear Opuede Federated Community.

"God Bless Opuede Federated Community! God Bless Gbaramatu Kingdom! God Bless Warri South/West LGA!!! God Bless Delta State!!!! God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!!"

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