Oronijah Community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has rolled out the drums to celebrate the 34 years of the enthronement of its Paramount Ruler, King Bartholomew Ikan Egopyork vii.
It would be recalled that King Ikan ascended the throne of his father as the Okaan Ama of Oronijah Town on the 28th of October, 1989.
A community source also told The Tide that the enthronement was without challenges as there were series of litigations which were eventually settled in favour of King Bartholomew Ikan Egopyork.
Speaking with newsmen during the celebration, King Ikan said he was grateful to God for making him celebrate 34 years on the throne, stressing that at the time he was enthroned, the community was torn apart by factions but eventually all of them have collapsed by forming a united Oronijah Community.
“The whole factions of the community are now united and speaking with one voice”, he said.
Speaking on the development of the community, the traditional ruler said the greatest challenge facing Oronijah at the moment is lack of land.
He said the lack of available land has made it difficult for the area to develop, stressing that even the cost of building houses in the community is beyond the reach of the people because of the swampy nature of the island.
Ikan said the community’s primary and secondary schools have no teachers, while the Primary Health Centre, which is the only health institution in the community, is in dilapidated condition.
He further said the solar panels approved for the community by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in collaboration with the Andoni Local Government Council has not been fully installed and pleaded with the commission to ensure the community enjoys the benefits of the solar panels.
The traditional ruler used the occasion to call on both the Rivers and Federal Governments to come to the aide of Oronijah Town through: the reclamation of more land and shore protection.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Oronijah Town, Elder Tamuno G. Arunga, said the reign of King Ikan has brought peace and development to the community.
He said the community is more united now than before because of the leadership qualities of the paramount ruler, adding that King Ikan has ensured that no part of the community was neglected.
Assuring that the CDC will continue to work with the paramount ruler to promote peace in the area, Arunga used the occasion to call on the government to come to the aid of the community through the construction of shore protection to save the community from tidal erosion and reclaim more lands for the people.
Also speaking Elder Blessing Jackson Tiko, said the people are happy with their King.
He said King Ikan has for the past 34 years endeared himself to the people because of his humility.
“He is a peaceful and humble king. That’s why the people like him”, he said.
Tiko prayed God to grant the traditional ruler more years to reign over the community.
Also speaking, Women Leader of Oronijah Town, Mrs Helen Conerlius, said the women are happy with the manner in which King Bartholomew Ikan Egopyork has rule over the community for the past 34 years.
According to her, Oronijah is more united now than before, adding that the women are now speaking with one voice.
She said the women will continue to pray for long life for King Ikan to enable him take the community to greater height.
On his part, Engr Andason Otowo, a concerned youth of the community, said the youths are happy with the reign of their King.
Otowo said youths of Oronijah Town never allow cultism to thrive in the community because of the leadership qualities of its paramount ruler.
The celebration, which lasted for three days, was rounded up with a Thanksgiving service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Oronijah Town.

By: John Bibor