By Charles Emeni
The Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty (Dr) Mbanefo Michael Ogbolu, JP, on Sunday, advised the people of Okpanam, particularly those from Umu-Obiaije Village to exercise caution and wisdom in the burial of the late Iwolor of Okpanam, Ogbueshi George Olele.
The advice, the Monarch said, was aimed at ensuring a hitch-free interment for the man he described as, “the gentleman Ogbueshi Olele”.
Referring to his address at the Ugoani-In-Council meeting, held on Monday 10th August, 2026, at the Ugoani’s Palace, the Ugoani drew the attention of the people to suit No. OACC/76/86, in the Oshimili Area Customary Court of the then Bendel State; at Asaba, on 17th February 1967, between Ogbueshi G.M Olele (petitioner), and Josephine Olele (Respondent), wherein the Judgement of the case of the marriage between the two parties in consonance with native law and tradition was legally dissolved.
He, therefore, advised that the judgement of the Honorable Oshimili Area Customary Court be respected, particularly in the participation of the respondent in the burial rites of Ogbueshi Olele, ostensibly to avert a situation where the people would run into the web of contempt of Court, to the peril of not only the people of Umu-Obiaije Village, but Okpanam in general.
“That said, it is our hope, and mine, that wise counsel will prevail in this circumstance for our common good, in our march towards the socio-political, and cultural development of Okpanam Kingdom”, the Ugoani added.
Expressing his deep condolences to the family of Ogbueshi Olele, the people of Umu-Obiaije Village, and Okpanam people in general, the Monarch reminded them of some reforms made by the Ugoani-In-Council, the highest traditional decision making organ in Okpanam Kingdom, which dealt with issues of divorce, Unor-Igu, shaving of hair, and many others, adding that they were meant to make for a more united, peaceful, and progressive Okpanam Kingdom.
In particular, he said, burial wake-keep was reformed to the effect that citizens have to pay five hundred thousand (N500,000) to get permission to observe a wake-keep exercise in the Kingdom.
This, he said, was necessary for the purpose of ensuring and beefing-up security during burial wake-keeps, as studies have shown that most crimes, including kidnappings occur during wake-keeps.
He urged the people to continue to be lawabiding and sustain the cherished customs traditions and values that would help to sustain the current level of peace and development in Okpanam Kingdom.
