The lhono of Ogwashi Uku in Aniocha South Local Council of Delta State, Chief Hycent Okolie, has sued for peace in the community.
Hosting the yearly Ine festival at the weekend, he clarified that the merriment was to pray for forgiveness and bountiful harvests.
The fourth in the hierarchy after the Obi, the position, Okolie recalled, was gazetted in1952, to foster harmony in the kingdom.
While urging the people to be hopeful, the chief assured the community of coming out stronger from its leadership crisis in the next one year.
Okolie said: “We are the core Obi-in-Council, the rulership of Ogwashi Uku kingdom. As the chief security officer, I maintain peace in the community. As the Ihono, my roles are defined likewise that of the Obi, meaning respect is reciprocal as both are important in their areas of jurisdiction.
“We are brothers. Enough of the crisis. People are profiting from the division. Before now, royalty to Obi is not a problem. Now the problem is land matter. It is causing serious pressure now on the palace. Nobody in the community enjoys the rancour that is tearing the community apart from any longer.”
He pleaded with the people to work collaboratively for the good of the community.
Highlights of the occasion were prayers, feasting, dancing, singing, and spraying of chalk, receiving of other titleholders and visitors among others.
