A truthful and honest king, it is often said, earns the trust and loyalty of his subjects. Thus, he fosters a strong bond with them, and his reign shall bring stability, peace, progress and prosperity.
This week, we spare this space to honour and tell the story of a King, my friend, and our personality. He is the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom in Oshimilli North Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM (Dr) Mbanefo Michael Ogbolu JP.
I have known and associated with him for well over a decade, participated in meetings of the Ugoani-In-Council, presided over by him, listened to, and watched the deliberations. All I see in him is a man of truth, honesty and integrity.
If you went to his palace to see him with lies or with the intention to plan evil, then you were in the wrong place; you were going to meet the wrong person. Why? The Ugoani I know has zero tolerance for such. He would always tell you the truth as it is, and counsel you to do that which is right, just and fair to your neighbour.
During meetings, he patiently listens to the contributions of his chiefs/subjects, and rules with wisdom, knowledge and the fear of God.
‘’In the face of challenges of managing the affairs of his kingdom and his subjects, sometimes demanding his having to sit at meetings all day to adjudicate on issues brought before him, I sometimes hear the “silent prayer” in his heart, “O God, give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this great people of yours”
At such meetings, I perceive that earthly kingship and the wisdom of the Almighty King in heaven, the one who holds the hands of kings, meet. And in his humility, the Ugoani submits to his will and sovereignty so that he does not rule or preside amiss.
As a member of the Catholic Church, I have watched his comportment and humility during Mass. In comparison with what I see some kings do in the Church, he removes his crown from his head and worships in humility and total submission to his king and maker. This is the humility I see the Ugoani display.
“Perhaps, as a king, the Ugoani is not oblivious of the fact that the fear of God is the foundation of wisdom, and it is by such fear and submission that a king is blessed with the wisdom and humility needed to justly rule over his people.
On why he cherishes the virtue of honesty, the Ugoani has this to say: “In all that I do, and in ruling over my people, I’ve made honesty an inevitability. The virtues of honesty and truth are very dear to me.
“If my father of blessed memory were to hear that I got involved in a dishonest matter, he would burst his grave open. My father taught me to be honest and to always tell the truth. Never tell a lie, he would admonish me, and over the years, I have held this virtue very dear to my heart.”
My father would say, “If anyone takes the punishment for an offence you committed, or a wrong that you did, you will receive the punishment 70 times multiplied by 70 “. Therefore, I try not to circumvent the truth always. If you keep this virtue close to your heart, you will avoid the temptation of double-speaking. You will not do to your brother or neighbour what you wouldn’t want him to do to you. What you said yesterday is what you’ll say today and tomorrow, and you’ll be a man of integrity.
“The virtue of truth will attract enemies to you, but in the long run, you’ll excel. The truth shall vindicate you because lies have short legs, and they do not run fast, while the truth is constant. Therefore, hold on to the truth, because by so doing, you earn your integrity, and you will be at peace with man and the Almighty God, your maker. ”
Perhaps I need to say this at this point. Because the Ugoani leads his subjects with integrity, he has, over the years, set a positive example for them, promoted their positive culture with relevant modifications, promoted honesty, ethics and morality. He had made informed decisions that have not only benefitted them, but attracted peace, harmony and meaningful development to Okpanam Kingdom.
This is why, since he was crowned Ugoani of Okpanam and given the Staff of Office by the Delta State Government, Okpanam has received the attention of government and private investors in an unprecedented manner, thus making it the fastest growing town in Delta State. With the good network of roads that link the nooks and crannies, made possible by the State Government, the number of government infrastructure and private investors’ impact and development, Okpanam, in the reign of the Ugoani, is home to many.
With him on the throne, the Okpanam Kingdom has witnessed peace and harmony among the natives and non-natives. Little wonder, therefore, many more people and investors from within and outside the State are flooding the town.
It is on good record that, with the vision of the Ugoani, the Ugoani-In-Council had made several reforms in the culture of Okpanam, ranging from the Masquerade, marriage, burial, and other traditional ceremonies. These reforms were done in view of societal growth and development, but not without protecting the very essence of the cultural values of the people.
During his reign, the Ugoani-In-Council once cried to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori over the insecurity posed by the nefarious activities of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), along the Uzor-Olu section of Okpanam. To the Joy of the people, the Governor responded within one week upon receipt of the S.O.S, and the place was cleansed of their operations.
Also, on July 4, 2024, it is on record that the State Government commissioned the Ibusa/Okpanam By-pass road and the 10.6km drain project, thereby easing transportation and economic/commercial activities between Okpanam and Ibusa. In addition to this, the State Government plans to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the 11.7 km Okpanam-Ugbolu road project.
Again, it is on record that, during the reign of the Ugoani, Governor Oborevwori has given recognition to some indigenes of Okpanam by appointing them into his administration, for which the Ugoani has expressed gratitude to the Governor himself.
Hear him: “Your Excellency, permit me to express our gratitude to you and your cabinet for some of our children in Okpanam who you found worthy to serve in your administration, and to say that you have made us proud by this gesture. We shall not take this for granted.”
However, there is something silent about the Ugoani that many people may not know. He is a lover of education and has silently been engaged in assisting many who genuinely need help to pay their bills in this regard. Without making a noise about it, he had, and has continued to identify with many who have challenges paying their fees in school. May God reward him.
Asked why he has chosen this part, the Ugoani has this to say: “But for the grace of God, I could have ended up becoming a Bicycle repairer. My mother was not married anymore, but I was exceptionally brilliant.
“That was why I wrote the Common Entrance Examination into the Nigeria Military School, Zaria. I passed and was preparing to go when suddenly, I was stopped because some people held the view that, as an Igbo child, I was going to be killed if I became a soldier.
“I was then hidden in the house of one Mr Jeremiah Dike at Desalu Street, Ebute-Meta. While there, I passed the National Common Entrance Examination into Government College, Yaba.
“The singular decision to deny me the chance of attending the Military School, Zaria and my love for education, is today the root of my sympathy for anybody genuinely having a challenge in pursuing his or her education, and by the grace of God, I have remained committed to giving my humble support”.
