Goodluck Jonathan, Akpabio pay homage to Olu of Warri

 

…We are pleased with your wisdom – Jonathan

…We will resume work on Koko-Ogheye road September, Akpabio

…My reign will promote peace, unity, values of prosperity – Atuwatse III

Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Minister of Niger Delta, Chief Godswill Akpabio Sunday paid homage to the new monarch of Itsekiri nation, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III at his palace in Warri south local government area, Delta State.

Dr Jonathan who arrived earlier commended the monarch, describing him as a young man with wisdom. He said he was impressed with his inaugural address given shortly after he was crowned at Ode Itsekiri, ancestral home of Itsekiri nation in Warri south local government area.

“He is a young man with wisdom. We are pleased  we have a dynamic king in the Niger Delta. A king that will handle issues on Niger Delta,  that we all will be happy. We join your immediate family , the Itsekiri nation to congratulate you.”, he said

The former President regretted his inability to attend the coronation, stressing that he had wanted to be there.

“I was to come for the coronation. I met His Majesty at the airport in Lagos before the coronation. I said I will come. But I couldn’t make it. So I said I should come to pay my respect to the Olu of Warri. “, he said

“We have come to join all of you to celebrate. This Palace is not new to me. I have been close to the Palace. I appreciate what the Olu of Warri stands for in the leadership system. “, he said.

Akpabio announces resumption of work on Koko-Ogheye road

On his part, in what looks like a coronation gift to the monarch , the Minister of Niger Delta , Chief Akpabio who came in, few hours after Jonathan had left, also lauded the new monarch, announcing that his Ministry will commence work on the Koko-Ogheye road, Warri north local government area.

“We are going to start the Koko-Ogheye road this September. As the Olu of Warri, our job is to support you to succeed . You will also help us. You handed over Warri kingdom to God , you cancelled all curses “, he said.

Continuing, he said he was well represented at the coronation, adding that he had to come to celebrate the emergence of a new king with the Itsekiri nation.

Your pronouncement also lifted curses on NDDC

” When you lifted the curses ,it was also lifted on NDDC . Your Majesty, I am one of your sons. May God protect you”, he said.

“Today I join voice with you to pronounce uncommon transformation of Warri kingdom. You have honoured God . Even here during the opening prayers you removed your crown to honour God. May God protect your kingdom and the rest of us.”, he said.

He said he was also very elated with the speech by the monarch after his coronation, stressing that the curse he lifted from his kingdom in his address also extended to the Niger Delta Development Commission , NDDC, where projects were hardly completed.