The people of Okpele-ama / Tebujor community in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, has inaugurated a new executive council, led by Lucky Igulowei Bebenimibo, popularly known as Chief Ogboye, to preside over the affairs of the riverine settlement.

Mr. Bebenimibo, was sworn into office as chairman alongside Precious Racce (Vice Chairman), Ogrenfa Patrick (Secretary), Emmanuel Douglas (Public Relations Officer), and Perry Whyte (Treasurer), in the community's town hall on Friday, August 9, 2024.

However, the position of Financial Secretary in the current exco remained vacant as it is not yet occupied as at the time of filing this report.

The members of the previous exco are Terry Tortor (Chairman), Wilson Mala (Vice Chairman), Raphael Erike (Secretary), Kaduna Aboh (P.R.O), Ebiwolade Pamah (Financial Secretary) and Lilian Oboko (Treasurer).

The new exco members while being inaugurated in the community town hall by Elder Amb. Frederick Igere were charged to be united, to work as a team, to have a listening ear and to fulfill the purpose for which they were chosen to lead in the affairs of the community.

"The members of the community have agreed that you (the exco) are to preside over their affairs," Amb. Igere said while inaugurating the exco members. "As you perform your duties, please carry the elders, women and youths along. Always listen to the people and seek their counsels.

"As exco members, in whatever you are doing, please carry each other along to avoid division in your midst. Be transparent and be accountable to the people," he further counseled.

In his response, Mr. Bebenimibo, on behalf of his exco members thanked the people of Okpele-ama/Tebujor community for the opportunity given to them to serve and promised to run an all-inclusive government in his tenure.

The chairman appealed for support from the community elders, women and youths, as he urged the people to remain united, be positive minded as they contribute their quota to the growth and development of the riverine community.

A community leader and chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Elder Monday Aboh, urged the newly inaugurated exco members to continue from where the previous administration stopped in order to ensure progressive growth of the community.

"I urge the Mr. Lucky Igulowei Bebenimibo-led exco to, as earlier advised, to carry everyone along, and especially in continuing from where the immediate past exco stopped for there to be progressive development of our community," he stated.

Community leaders that were in attendance during the inauguration include Chief Tare Ogah (the Amadiwei), Chief Daniel Okpele, Chief Akin Mala, Apst. Noah Douperegha (the Amaokosuwei), Elder (Engr.) Edward Tortor, Mr. Edward Odudu, among others.

Okpele-ama/Tebujor community plays host to the Nigeria Gas Company, NGC, Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, responsible for the transportation and marketing of natural gas across Nigeria. Ironically, top most among the myriads of challenges facing the community is the issue of blackout (lack of electricity) as the settlement has reportedly been in darkness for months.

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