By Dr. Godwin Orhadahwe
First Published by gallantreporters.com/
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne and his wife on Saturday 4th May 2024, paid a courtesy visit to the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, Ogurimerime Ukori 1, at his Palace in Isiokolo, headquarters of Ethiope East LGA of Delta State.
He was accompanied by the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the UK, Amb. Daven Joseph and his wife, and the CEO/MD of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama, among other dignitaries.
They were received on arrival by the Agbon Monarch, supported by his traditional Chiefs, colourfully dressed in their blue and white attires, amongst whom was the Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo who represented the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori on the occasion.
Governor Oborevwori said the visit of the Ambassador as well as Prime Minister of the sovereign State of Antigua and Barbuda to Delta State testified to the fact that the State was safe for foreign investors and visitors, assuring the Caribbeans of safety and security during their short stay in Delta State.
Speaking in the same vein, the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, Ogurimerime Ukori 1, expressed happiness over the visit of the two top citizens of a Caribbean country to his Palace, especially because the daughter of one of his Chiefs from Okpara, Chief Ederhehwevwe of blessed memory, was getting married to the Ambassador’s son.
The Royal Father commended the CEO/MD of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama, for his immense contributions to the development of air transportation in Nigeria, and also for influencing a very significant reduction in the cost of air travels for Nigerians.
Ukori 1 also thanked the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister for doggedly championing the fight of reparations for the victims of slave trade who were dislocated from their ancestral homes in Africa, thereby suffering very serious psychological trauma.
For his part, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne, noted that the marriage of a native of Antigua and Barbuda to a Nigerian would cement the racial tie between the two countries of the same black race and expressed delight the that culture brought him back to his African root at last.
The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister said his visit to the Agbon Monarch was to pay homage to the traditional ruler so as to receive his royal blessings before going to Okpara Town for the cultural activity in the King’s domain.
Also speaking, the CEO/MD of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama thanked Ambassador Daven Joseph, the groom’s father, for coming to Nigeria to marry an Urhobo lady for his son, stressing that it would engender strong unity among the peoples of both countries.
Chief Onyeama, who said he was brought up and schooled in Delta State, thanked Ukori 1, for his efforts at sustaining and protecting the rich cultural heritage of Urhobo people for posterity, promising to support any cultural activity organized by the Agbon Monarch whenever his support was needed.
The airline giant also described HRM Ukori 1, as a King of many positive parts, and of an impeccable character worthy of emulation, and prayed God to grant the Royal Father long life, prosperity and good health.
Antigua and Barbuda is one of the Caribbean islands on the continental shelf of South America.
The others are Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
