BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Okaighele of Ugbineh Community Mr. Dominic Edobor has donated six cars to elders of the village to facilitate ongoing development in and around the Community.
The official presentation of the vehicles occurred at Ugbineh Elders Chamber (Oguedion) premises in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
The keys to the six European-made used cars were separately handed over to the recipients shortly after the community monthly meeting by Mr. Dominic Edobor.
He said the gesture was in recognition and appreciation of their various contributions and commitments to the growth of Ugbineh community.
The Okaighele also explained that the car gift was not first of its kind as 12 cars were similarly acquired and shared to some elders of Ugbineh in 2020.
Mr. Dominic Edobor assured elders and youths working with his executive towards the development of the locality a fair share of the commonwealth of Ugbineh Community.
“Those that did not get today should be patient with us. Leadership is about the people, it’s all about making life meaningful for the people. My grandfather left a good legacy in this community as Odionwere (Community head), I want to maintain and build on that legacy.
“I am accountable to my people, I carry everyone along because it was part of the mandate given to me by the Odionwere when I was made Okaighele of Ugbineh Community.
“Every money is accounted for and we are happy together as you can see now”, Mr. Dominic Edobor said.
Thanking the Okaighele on behalf of other recipients, the publicity secretary of Ugbineh Community, Naps Tete Igbinomwanhia Esq, said the accountability record of Mr. Dominic Edobor is unequal.
“You hardly see this in other communities, in some communities you only hear that land was sold or certain money came in, that is all. But here, our Okaighele is so prudent and accountable. He gives annual financial reports on income and expenditure. He does nothing in the community without the approval of the Odionwere and elders in council.
“Every transaction on this land is approved by the elders in Council that is why you don’t hear of any rancor, in fact, when you buy land in Ugbineh just go to sleep. He involves everyone, before this cars were bought he also consulted the elders”, He explained.
The Community publicity secretary however appreciated the people of Ugbineh for the gesture.
“We thank Odionwere, elders, Okaighele and youths of this community for empowering us with cars, we are indeed very grateful.
“I least expected it, shows that whatever you do put in your best people are watching you. I never knew that the elders, youths and Okaighele are watching the way we pilot the affairs of the Community. Today, they have appreciated us. This will further push us to do more for the community”, Naps Tete Igbinomwanhia noted.
The recipients and their vehicles are; 1. the Community head (Odionwere) Pa. Usiobaifo Osayande, (Toyota Highlander), 2. Pa. Sunday Asemota Akuet (Mercedes Benz C-class wagon), 3. the former Public Relations Officer to Oba Palace Pa. Robinson Osayanmwen, (Mercedes Benz saloon C-class), 4. Pa. Joseph Osifo (Mercedes Benz C-class wagon), 5. Pa. Joseph Osagiede (Toyota Camry 2.4), and Ugbineh publicity Secretary/PRO Naps Tete Igbinomwanhia (Toyota Camry Voltron).
The village head (Odionwere), Ugbineh Community Pa. Usiobaifo Osayande thanked the Okaighele Mr. Dominic Edobor for the gesture.
He prayed God and ancestors to grant the Okaighele the ability to lead the Community to greater heights.
Pa. Usiobaifo however appealed to elders and youths to avoid any form of quarrel as love and togetherness are the bedrock of communal advancement.
Meanwhile Ugbineh Community in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo State recently joined its neighbours in Upper Ekehuan road to appeal to governor Godwin Obaseki to hasten the ongoing reconstruction of Upper Ekehuan road project.
The Community while commending Mr. Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State government for adding value to the lives of Edo residents through execution of meaningful projects across the state, expressed confidence that socio-economic activities would bounce back in the area when the road project is completed in real time.
The youths leader (Okaighele) of Ugbineh Community Comrade Dominic Edobor and his secretary Mr. Ernest Erhabor made the appeal in Benin City, recently.
Comrade Edobor stated that the deplorable condition of the Upper Ekehuan-Gelegele road has negatively affected economic, social and infrastructure developments in all the villages in the area.
It will be recalled that elders and youths of Ugbineh Community had last July commended the Oba of Benin kingdom, His Royal Majesty. Ewuare ll for approving the installation of a new Odionwere (village head) in the locality.
The commendation followed the installation of Pa. Jackson Usiobaifo Osayande, 94 as Odionwere (village head) of Ugbineh Community on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
The Benin Monarch was said to have directed that Pa. Jackson Usiobaifo Osayande being the oldest man and not the most senior person in Elders Council (Oguedion) be made Odionwere of Ugbineh Community.
“Women, youths and children, everyone in Ugbineh agreed and supported that I should be the Odionwere. I thank the Monarch, my youths leader (Okaighele) Dominic Edobor and everyone for their support.
“I want to specially appeal to all sons and daughters of Ugbineh within and outside this community to cooperate with Dominic Edobor in his desire to keep moving Ugbineh forward”, the Odionwere stated.
Also, in their various comments, the deputy Odionwere Pa Gius Osarenmwinda, (Ugbineh Chief Priest) Ohen Pa. Alfred Agbonedeso, Mr. Sunday Asemota and madam Uwudegbe Odigie, among others corroborated the village head.
In remarks, the youths leader (Okaighele), Ugbineh Community Mr. Dominic Edobor lauded Oba Ewuare ll for his directive that led to the installation of Pa. Jackson Usiobafo Osayande, as Odionwere.
He appreciated elders, youths and children of Ugbineh for his reappointment and their support.
The Okaighele said having served the former Odionwere Pa. Osayande Emwindonmwanfo of blessed memory, he has to showcase as achievements the ultra modern town hall, renovated Health Centre, improved coexistence among residents of Ugbineh village and other laudable infrastructure.
He appealed for their support assuring that with his reappointment, Ugbineh people are in for more life-changing projects.
“My administration is very transparent, it embraces everybody because I believe leadership is not about self but the people. So, if by the grace of God you are made a leader of an area, let the people of that area feel your impact as a leader.
“Immediately the Odionwere Pa Jackson Usiobafo Osayande was installed, he reappointed me as the Okaighele and gave me a mandate, that, I should ensure peace and development in his domain, and that everybody should be carried along”, Mr. Dominic Edobor revealed.
