EFFURUN-OTOR COMMUNITY SET TO REAP ECONOMIC POTENTIALS

·         King Duku II inducts Economic Summit Board panel for kingdom  

A seven member Economic Summit Board made up of seasoned economists and
technocrats has been inaugurated in Effurun-Otor, an oil rich Urhobo
kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, with the sole purpose
of proffering ways for the kingdom to realise its economic potentials.

 Inaugurating the Board, HRM Johnson Enemuadia Youwino Duku
(JP), king Duku II, the Orovworere of Effurun-Otor kingdom, in his
address titled “Building Effurun-Otor Kingdom in a Strong Self Reliant
United and Sustainable Economy”, charged them to serve as the vehicle
for the economic emancipation of Effurun-Otor kingdom, saying:

"The development of Effurun Otor is an idea whose time has come. We
must lift our people out of poverty and employment activities must be
created. This is the major focus of this board being inaugurated
today”.

The King Duku stated that Effurun Otor has all it
takes to be great with undeveloped landmass, an agile and
active population, a highly accessible road to the kingdom, a good
supply of electricity and a comparatively peaceful environment.  He

emphasized that the process of realizing the economic potentials of
the area has began under the youth empowerment programme starting with
the training of over 30 persons in various areas of agriculture,
computer appreciation training, repairs and engineering (phone and
computers), hairdressing training/ start-up, fashion
designing/start-up, art of cakes pastries and snack making, beads, wire
work design, bridal accessories, shoe and bead making, welding and
fabrication and aluminum."

The Royal Majesty disclosed that within the next one month, “We shall
commission the newly established Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Centre located in the secondary school, starting with
12 computers and a generator set. Ultimately with this facility we shall be
hooked to the internet super-intelligent, whereby our students shall
have access to world libraries.”

The traditional ruler further announced plans to build new towns in the
kingdom and named them to include Agborho, Urheku Okugbe and
Duku, stating, “in addition we are linking up Effurun-Otor with
Ughewhughe town through Alaka within the shortest possible time, just
as the Agborho Town development shall involve the building of a major
culvert which will link Effurun-Otor through Imokwer to Ekiugbo
Ughelli.

In his acceptance speech the chairman of Effurun-Otor Economic Summit
Board, Dr. Apoki Charles on behalf of other members of the board
thanked HRM Duku II for their appointment and promised that members
will not disappoint the kingdom in the discharge of their duties.

He however solicited for the support and co-operation of the people in
the discharge of their duties, adding that “the fact of the matter is
that education is wonderful. What we are experiencing here is very rare
in most African communities not to talk of Urhobo land that a king will
call his people together, set up a committee to organize an economic
summit for the development of his kingdom.”

In a brief chat with newsmen shortly after the event the duo of the
secretary of Effurun Otor Traditional Council, High Chief G.B Ijabor
and President General of Effurun Otor Kingdom, Chief Patrick Odukuye
hailed the first Christian traditional ruler  of Effurun Otor Kingdom
for his initiative and described the king as a God-sent to the
kingdom.

Members of the board include: Dr. Apoki Charles (Chairman), Dr.(Mrs.)
Emeka Tadiodi JP, Engr. (Sir) M.O Ebah, High Chief G.B Ijabor,
Peter Alex Oghenobukomi Coker, Chief (Hon) Agi Anthony Avwenotakpo
Chief P.O Odukuyeas.

High point of the brief but impressive event was the inauguration
of the board by HRM King Duku II JP the Orovworere of Effurun Otor
Kingdom.