The people of Opuede community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, were wild with jubilation on Monday, November 20, 2023, as a new executive leadership chaired by Barr. Mackson Ode was inaugurated to pilot the affairs of the riverine community for the next four years.

Other members of the Opuede executive council are Patrick Torowei, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Ebiye Orubu-Ugoji, Secretary; Mr. Oliver Mala, Public Relations Officer; Mr. Martins Mode, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Felix Fineboy Ibime, Assistant P. R.O.; Mr. Sunday Ibime, Financial Secretary; Confidence Jemibor, Treasurer; Mr. Lucky Izuodumu, Adviser 1, and Mr. Wilson Boyi, Adviser 2.

Administering the oath of office on the Opuede new executive members are Barr. (Mrs.) Naomi Ode and Barr. Henry Ichipi in a brief ceremony that was well attended my community elders, women groups and youths.

Speaking on behalf of exco members, Barr. Ode, in his acceptance speech, thanked the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, for wading into the leadership crisis in the community and restoring peace.

In his words, "In the stratosphere of mortals, I am eternally grateful to innumerable host of persons of which, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, is prominent. His wisdom in handling the very knotty issues regarding the Opuede chairmanship tussle transcends human comprehension. We are indeed grateful."

The chairman also thanked the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, other notable community leaders such as Chief James Orubu, Chief Fineboy Ibime, Chief Mone Ode, Chief (Apst.) Akin Mala, Chief Helen Faraju, Mrs. Ghana Ode, women of Opuede community among others, as well as Elder Robert Tonfawei AKA Agini, Dr. Clement Tonfawei, Bro. Richard Ebikeme, Bro. Robert Faraju, Bro. Famous Torowei, Bro. Collins Iboyi, Bro. Beke Fineboy and many others he referred to as "My big brothers and senior friends" for their sacrifices and support for justice.

Barr. Ode, who termed the exco is an "ILLUMINATION EXCO" as they are poised to bring progress to Opuede community charged his fellow cabinet members that "The reward of a good work is more work" and with a promise to stakeholders that "We shall work until the light of Opuede becomes the talking point of every Community in Gbaramatu and beyond.

"To my indefatigable, ever conscious, corrosive, articulate, vibrant, dependable and reliable youth of Opuede Federated Communities, you're one in a million. Together, we shall move Opuede to a higher plane," he added.

Stakeholders of Opuede at the inauguration ceremony called on all aggrieved sons and daughters of Opuede to sheathe their swords, embrace the new exco and collectively work together to attract meaningfully development to the community.

An elder in Opuede community, Chief Orubu, who earlier offered prayers on the Barr. Ode-led exco, commended those in attendance and urged all to join hands together to support the new leadership for the birthing of a new Opuede community. He also appealed to all sons and daughters to always come home snd contribute their quota for the overall development of the community.

A youth leader, Dr. Clement Tonfawei, said the inauguration of the new exco is a new dawn for Opuede and counsel the Barr. Ode-led exco to imbibe integrity and be transparent in all they do. He also tasked other stakeholders to join hands together with the new exco in unity to move the community forward, adding further that he believes the new leadership has all it takes "to make Opuede great again".

Another youth leader, Mr. Kingsley Peremobowei, popularly known as King Zubiri, said he is one of the happiest youth to witness the successful inauguration of the exco led by Barr. Ode, who he described as a "selfless vibrant young leader" who has shown the zeal to develop the community by even expending his own hard-earned resources without any support from the community, and as such he has all it takes to turn the community around for the collective good of all.

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