The Palace of the Oje of Ora in Owan West LGA of Edo state, has conferred a honorary chieftaincy title of ‘Oyakhire’ meaning, ‘he who wipes our tears’, on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Igbere TV reports that Professor Emeritus Joshua U. Aisuku, the Oje-designate of the community conferred the honorary title on Ize-Iyamu when the APC candidate and his supporters paid a visit to the palace.
Those present at the palace for the visit were the APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Mallam Gani Audu; former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the member representating Owan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and several party leaders.
Conferring the honorary title, Professor Aisuku said the conferment and honor was given to Ize-Iyamu because of his previous record of performance in the appointive offices he held and his regard and deep respect for traditional institution in the State.
He said the Ora people are happy with his aspirations and are proud to support him because he can be trusted to implement all he has promised.
Igbere TV gathered that Ora communities consist of six major clans which include Ohia, Ovbiokhuarin, Evbiobe (Sabongidda-Ora), Uhomora, Oke (Both old and new) and Eme-Ora.
Of all these, Ohia is the highest ranking but the one with the least population. Ohia is followed by Ovbiokhuarin which is at present the traditional home and palace of the Oje of Ora, though the last occupant of the throne transited to glory recently.
In his response, Ize-Iyamu expressed gratitude to the Oje-designate for the honour and lauded his commitment and immense contribution to the safety, security and empowerment of his people and development of the Kingdom.
The APC candidate who presented him with copies of his manifesto, the SIMPLE Agenda, explained some aspects as he lamented Obaseki’s government neglect of the community, with a promise to abide by the tenets of the honorary title as governor.
He said the SIMPLE Agenda has plans which will see government partner with and complement the efforts of traditional institutions in the state toward fighting insecurity.
Later at the venue of the campaign rally in the locality, Ize-Iyamu promised to build a standard Police station and encourage vigilante groups to provide enough security so kidnappers can be kept at bay and banks which relocated can come back to render financial services in public interest.
He said, “My promise to you is that by the grace of God and all your votes for the APC, I will be elected as governor so that I can fight insecurity, with Fedeatl government support fight flooding and reverse the dwindling fortunes of the youths and women by setting them in the right direction.”
