OPENING ADDRESS PRESENTED
BY
MR. EDMUND EYEKOMIEGHAN DOYAH-TIEMO
CHAIRMAN, EGBEMA LEADERS OF THOUGHT (ELOT) AT THE EGBEMA KINGDOM LEADERSHIP MEETING
Venue: Park Royale Hotel, Airport Road, Warri
Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
OPENING REMARKS
The Chairman, Egbema Regency Council, Chief Andrew Gorroh.
The Chairman, Council of Chiefs, Chief David Bubor.
Our highly respected Chiefs and Elders;
Community Leaders and Youth Leaders;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am pleased to welcome you all to this historic meeting of the leaders of Egbema Kingdom.
Let me begin by sincerely appreciating each and every one of you for making the time to attend this important gathering. Your presence here today, despite the challenges facing our Kingdom, demonstrates your commitment to the leadership, unity, peace, and development of Egbema Kingdom.
In particular, I wish to acknowledge the efforts, sacrifices, and commitment of everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this meeting possible. Your willingness to come together at this critical moment in our history deserves commendation. It is a clear demonstration that, despite our differences, the future of Egbema Kingdom remains a priority in our hearts.
For almost four years, we have not had the opportunity to come together in this manner as one family. Today, we have gathered once again to embrace the opportunity for reconciliation, renewed understanding, and a shared commitment to the future of our Kingdom.
This meeting is, therefore, more than an ordinary gathering. It represents an opportunity to restore relationships, strengthen our traditional institutions, and begin a new chapter in the history of Egbema Kingdom.
A TIME FOR RECONCILIATION AND RENEWED UNITY
For almost four years, our Kingdom has experienced disagreements, divisions, and disputes. These challenges have affected our relationships and hindered our collective progress.
Today, however, is a day of hope. It is a day to put the past behind us, embrace one another, and begin a new chapter in the history of Egbema Kingdom.
I believe that it is a thing of joy for all of us to gather here today in an atmosphere of love, unity, and togetherness. Our coming together is an opportunity to rebuild the bonds that have been weakened by years of misunderstanding and division.
King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, reminds us in the Book of Ecclesiastes that there is a time and a season for everything under heaven: a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to tear and a time to mend, and a time for war and a time for peace.
If there was a time for disagreement, then surely there must also be a time for reconciliation. If there was a time when we stood apart, there must now be a time when we stand together.
Today is our time to reconcile, rebuild, and renew our commitment to Egbema Kingdom.
We must recognise that it is unwise for a people to destroy their own house through internal conflicts. When we fight among ourselves without seeking reconciliation, we create cracks that may allow external forces to exploit our divisions and undermine our collective interests.
When we fight against ourselves, we weaken our own foundation and open the door to those who may wish to take advantage of our disagreements. We must not allow this to happen to Egbema Kingdom.
We are a people endowed with wisdom, understanding, and the ability to resolve our differences. We must draw upon these qualities to find common ground and build a stronger future together.
I believe that we will all come together to make our Kingdom greater and leave it better than we met it.
It is a good thing that we have come together to put personal pride aside for the sake of the good of Egbema Kingdom. We cannot build the Kingdom we desire when we remain disunited.
Our guiding principles must be unity, love, mutual respect, forgiveness, and the willingness to speak the truth to one another.
Let us learn to speak honestly when one of us is wrong, to listen when we are corrected, and to forgive one another whenever we have been offended. These are the foundations upon which lasting peace and meaningful reconciliation can be built.
REBUILDING A UNITED AND STRONG EGBEMA KINGDOM
Distinguished leaders, no Kingdom can achieve its full potential when its leaders are divided against one another.
A house divided against itself cannot stand. In the same way, a Kingdom whose leaders are in constant conflict will struggle to establish a firm foundation for lasting peace, progress, and development.
We cannot afford to remain divided while the challenges confronting our communities continue to demand our collective wisdom and strength.
Our roads and other essential infrastructure remain matters of serious concern. The condition of our communities calls for purposeful leadership, constructive engagement, and a renewed commitment to development.
These challenges require us to rise above our differences and work together. They demand leadership that is focused not merely on the present but also on the welfare of future generations.
We must be prepared to put our differences aside and bury the hatchet, not because we have forgotten the past, but because we understand that the future of Egbema Kingdom is more important than the disagreements that have kept us apart.
Let us choose reconciliation over resentment, dialogue over confrontation, and cooperation over division.
Let us remember that, regardless of our individual positions, interests, or affiliations, we all belong to the same Kingdom. We are family.
Our shared identity as Egbema people must be stronger than anything that seeks to divide us.
We must also understand that unity does not mean that we will always agree on every issue. Rather, it means that even when our opinions differ, we remain committed to resolving our disagreements peacefully and working towards the common good.
Our strength lies not in the absence of differences but in our ability to manage those differences with wisdom, maturity, and understanding.
The time has come for us to move forward as one people with one purpose: the greatness and prosperity of Egbema Kingdom.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RECONCILIATION
At this juncture, we must acknowledge those whose efforts and sacrifices have contributed to bringing us together.
First and foremost, we give thanks to Almighty God for putting the spirit of oneness, brotherhood, reconciliation, and love in our hearts.
We recognize that without His grace and guidance, the willingness to put aside our differences and seek a common path might not have been possible.
We also wish to express our profound gratitude to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his sacrifices, intervention, and commitment towards resolving the issues that had divided our Kingdom.
Through his intervention, the court cases that had arisen from our disputes have been withdrawn, creating an opportunity for us to come together and determine the way forward.
We sincerely appreciate his contribution to this process and pray that God will continue to grant him wisdom, strength, and the grace to contribute positively to the peace and development of the Ijaw Nation.
We also wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to Barr. Fedude Zimughan, SAN, for his role in this process.
He is not only a Senior Advocate of Nigeria but also a man blessed with wisdom and a genuine love for the Ijaw Nation.
We appreciate the manner in which he has engaged with us, dealing with our concerns truthfully and sincerely. His contribution to the reconciliation process is worthy of recognition, and we owe him a debt of gratitude.
We pray that Almighty God will continue to bless him with wisdom, good health, and the strength to serve our people and the wider Ijaw Nation.
To everyone who has contributed, directly or indirectly, to bringing us to this point, we say thank you. Your efforts remind us that reconciliation is possible when people are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good.
A CELEBRATION OF OUR COURAGE, WISDOM, AND MATURITY
Distinguished Chiefs, Elders, Community Leaders, Youth Leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen, we must also congratulate ourselves.
We have demonstrated courage, wisdom, and maturity by choosing to come together for the greater tomorrow of our dear Egbema Kingdom.
It takes courage to acknowledge that division has not served us well. It takes wisdom to recognise that our collective interests are greater than our individual differences. And it takes maturity to set aside personal grievances in pursuit of a common goal.
Today, we have demonstrated these qualities by choosing dialogue over continued disagreement and reconciliation over division.
This is a significant step in the right direction, and we must protect the progress we have made.
However, we must remember that coming together is only the beginning. The real test of our commitment will be our willingness to sustain this unity and translate it into meaningful progress for our people.
Let us, therefore, ensure that the spirit of reconciliation we have demonstrated today continues beyond this meeting and becomes a lasting feature of our leadership.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FUTURE GENERATIONS
Distinguished leaders, we must never lose sight of the fact that the decisions we make today will have consequences far beyond our generation.
We are not here merely for ourselves. We are here for our children, our grandchildren, and the generations yet unborn.
The Egbema Kingdom we leave behind will reflect the values we uphold, the decisions we make, and the responsibilities we are willing to discharge today.
Future generations will look back at this period in our history. They will ask what we did when our Kingdom needed unity, what we did when our people needed development, and what we did when our leadership was called upon to rise above personal interest.
What legacy do we want to leave behind?
Do we want to be remembered as leaders who allowed disagreements to weaken our Kingdom, or as leaders who found the courage to reconcile, rebuild, and restore the dignity and pride of Egbema Kingdom?
The answer lies in the choices we make from this moment forward.
We must ensure that the next generation inherits a stronger, more united, and more prosperous Egbema Kingdom than the one we inherited.
Let us build a Kingdom where our children can grow with pride in their heritage, where our communities can enjoy peace and development, and where our traditional institutions are respected for their wisdom, fairness, and commitment to the welfare of the people.
Let history record that we were the generation of leaders who chose unity over division and development over discord.
LEADERSHIP, PURPOSE, AND OUR DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY
Distinguished Chiefs, Elders, Community Leaders, Youth Leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen, today is our time.
By the grace of God, we have been entrusted with leadership responsibilities in Egbema Kingdom at this particular point in our history. These responsibilities are not merely titles or positions of authority; they are obligations to serve our people and advance the collective interests of our Kingdom.
Leadership must be measured by the positive impact we make, the peace we promote, the opportunities we create, and the lives we improve.
We must therefore ask ourselves whether we are fulfilling the purpose for which we have been entrusted with these responsibilities.
God does not make mistakes. If we have been placed in positions where we can influence the direction of our Kingdom, we must recognise the importance of that responsibility.
We must become faithful stewards of the heritage entrusted to us.
Just as gardeners nurture their plants, protect them from harm, and provide the conditions necessary for growth, we too must nurture Egbema Kingdom. We must protect our traditions, strengthen our institutions, preserve our cultural heritage, and create an environment in which our people can thrive.
A gardener does not destroy the garden because one plant grows differently from another. Instead, the gardener understands that each plant has its place and requires attention and care.
In the same way, our differences should not become reasons for division. They should challenge us to develop the wisdom, patience, and understanding required to lead a diverse community.
Our individual interests must never overshadow the collective interest of the Kingdom.
We must work together to build a Kingdom that is respected, peaceful, progressive, and prosperous.
Our ultimate goal should be to see Egbema Kingdom rise to greater heights, fulfil its potential, and become a source of pride for our people.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING AND THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING A KING
Distinguished leaders, the purpose of this meeting is to announce to the entire Egbema Kingdom and the world at large that we have buried our differences and have come together with a renewed determination to move Egbema Kingdom forward.
We have demonstrated our willingness to reconcile and work together in the interest of our people.
We must now build upon this foundation and begin the process of restoring the unity and strength of our Kingdom.
One of our principal objectives is to work collectively towards the installation of a King who will be acceptable to our people, worthy of the institution, and capable of providing leadership that will unite our communities and lead Egbema Kingdom towards a brighter future.
Our aspiration is to install a King who will be befitting to all, command respect, uphold our traditions, promote peace, and provide leadership that advances the collective interests of the Kingdom.
This process must be approached with wisdom, fairness, mutual respect, and a sincere commitment to the established traditions and applicable procedures of Egbema Kingdom.
We must recognise that the institution of the King is greater than any individual interest. It represents the unity, heritage, identity, and aspirations of our people.
Therefore, the process of installing a King must be one that promotes peace, strengthens our traditional institutions, and inspires confidence among our communities.
We must work together to ensure that the process is conducted in a manner that reflects our collective desire for unity and lasting progress.
Our goal is not merely to install a King; it is to strengthen the institution of traditional leadership and establish a solid foundation for the future of Egbema Kingdom.
OUR PLAN OF ACTION
By the time we conclude this meeting, we should have developed a clear plan of action that will guide our next steps.
Our resolutions must not end with words spoken in this hall. They must translate into practical actions that demonstrate our commitment to unity, reconciliation, and development.
Visit All Communities in Egbema Kingdom
We will embark on a tour of the communities in Egbema Kingdom to communicate the good news of our reconciliation. During these visits, we will convey a message of unity, love, peace, and togetherness.
We will reassure our people that the spirit of Egbema is alive and that our leaders have renewed their commitment to working together for the common good.
These visits will provide an opportunity to engage our communities, encourage reconciliation at every level, and reinforce the message that the future of Egbema Kingdom depends on our collective unity.
Restore the Spirit of Egbema
Our second objective is to restore and strengthen the spirit of Egbema. We want our people to understand that the divisions of the past must not define our future.
We must rebuild the bonds of brotherhood, renew our sense of belonging, and encourage every community to embrace the values of unity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
The message must be clear: the spirit of Egbema is back. We are determined to move forward together, protect our common heritage, and work towards a future in which every community has a place and a voice.
Announce Our Readiness to Begin the Process of Installing a King
Following the tour of the communities, we will reconvene and make a general announcement that we are ready to begin the process of installing a King for Egbema Kingdom.
This announcement will communicate our collective readiness to move forward with the process in accordance with the established traditions and applicable procedures of the Kingdom.
It will also demonstrate to our people and the wider world that we have taken meaningful steps towards reconciliation and are prepared to work together to restore and strengthen our traditional institution.
These proposed steps represent the beginning of a renewed journey for Egbema Kingdom. We must approach them with seriousness, commitment, and a shared understanding that our success depends on our willingness to work together.
A CALL TO ACTION
As we begin our deliberations, I urge every one of us to approach the discussions before us with sincerity, maturity, and a genuine desire for progress.
Let us speak honestly but respectfully. Let us listen carefully and be willing to consider perspectives different from our own.
Let us avoid dwelling excessively on the disagreements of the past and instead focus our attention on practical solutions to the challenges facing our Kingdom.
Where reconciliation is required, let us pursue it. Where understanding is lacking, let us create room for dialogue. Where our communities need development, let us work together to identify priorities and pursue meaningful action. Where our institutions require strengthening, let us provide the necessary leadership and support.
Most importantly, let us ensure that the unity we seek today does not end with the conclusion of this meeting. It must become the foundation of a renewed relationship among our leaders and the beginning of sustained cooperation for the advancement of Egbema Kingdom.
We must move beyond words and translate our resolutions into action.
Our people deserve leadership that is united in purpose, accountable in conduct, and committed to tangible results.
The time has come for us to demonstrate that we can disagree without becoming enemies, resolve disputes without destroying relationships, and pursue our individual responsibilities without compromising the collective good.
If we can achieve this, we will have taken a significant step towards restoring confidence in our leadership and creating a better future for our Kingdom.
We all have a duty to protect, promote, and project our Kingdom with everything God has endowed us with.
The greatness of Egbema Kingdom is our collective pride and responsibility. Its progress is our shared responsibility, and its future depends on the decisions we make and the actions we take together.
Let us, therefore, leave this meeting with renewed hope, a stronger sense of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and development.
Let us embrace this opportunity with courage, humility, and determination.
Let us remember that we have only one Kingdom to call our own, one heritage to preserve, and one collective future to build.
May God grant us the wisdom and strength to discharge our responsibilities faithfully. May He guide our deliberations, bless our communities, and grant lasting peace and prosperity to Egbema Kingdom.
Once again, I thank you all for your presence and commitment. God bless you all.
Long live Egbema Kingdom.
Long live our traditional institutions. Long live the people of Egbema.
Thank you.
MR. EDMUND EYEKOMIEGHAN DOYAH-TIEMO
Chairman, Egbema Leaders of Thought (ELOT)
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