As part of effort to gain recognition and acceptance as an autonomous community, the people of Igbu Orlukwor in Ekpeye kingdom of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, have officially presented their regent, Sir Frederick Uwame to the king of Ekpeye Kingdom and the Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers. The event took place July 22, 2023, at the palace of the paramount king of Ekpeye Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Sir (Amb.) Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo PhD, Eze Ekpeye Logbo 111 of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
The Eze in his opening speech at the event, noted that Igbu Orlukwor is among the communities which make up Ekpeye kingdom and part of the Ekpeye Supreme Council.
He used the medium to admonish Ekpeye citizens to pursue just causes that will bring development and growth to the kingdom.
“First, I want to let all Ekpeye citizens know that Igbu Orlukwor has already been received to the Supreme Council by my predecessor, late His Imperial Majesty, Eze Robinson. This is to show the Ekpeye bylaw of 10 August, 2010, Igbu Orlukwor was amongst the seven Igbus in Ekpeye ethnic nation that signed the bylaw, which is the working document binding the traditional institution in Ekpeye kingdom today.
“Time must come that, we must learn to put personal interest behind and pursue the just cause of the generality of Ekpeye ethnic nation, but as we do this, we must adhere strictly to our norms and customs that have bound us together,” Eze Ekpeye stated.
Continuing, he said, “The palace of Igbu Orlukwor in the Supreme Council does not mean Igbu Orlukwor is no more part of Igbu Okpata Kingdom, neither does it mean that the creation of the six parts of Igbu Okpata is no more in place. We must learn what happens to other kingdoms”
 Eze Anugwo advised the people of Igbu Orlukwor to withdraw pending court cases so they can be fully integrated.
“I am not in the position to create or divide but to put structures that can bring development in Ekpeye kingdom.Â
“I enjoin the people of Igbu Orlukwor to go back to court and remove all cases from the court and once all this is done, the integration of Igbu Orlukwor will be completed.”
On his part, Sir Frederick Uwame, regent of Igbu Orlukwor said it is traditional for the people to drive and establish traditional institutions, adding, that the people of Igbu Orlukwor have fulfilled tradition by officially introducing their regent to the Ekpeye Traditional Ruling Council.Â
He said the move will further engender Igbu Orlukwor to have their king. He also called on government to provide jobs for his people, lamenting that though the community is oil producing, the people are suffering.
“The people of Igbu Orlukwor are made up of nine communities… Out of that nine communities, we have backwardness in education because of poverty. My people are not employed; I can count how many civil servants we have in the nine communities.
“We have an oil company that is based in our area, that produces the highest gas in Nigeria but my people are suffering”.Â
The regent also appealed to law enforcement agencies to stem harassment of the people.
“i am still appealing to the law enforcement agencies to please see us through in peace and harmony, not to harm us or harass my people”.
President, Igbu Orlukwor Community, Chris Ewundor described the event as significant. He said the move by his people to introduce their regent to the Ekpeye apex traditional ruling council will initiate the process for them to get a king who will oversee the affairs of the community.
“For once, we are going to have an eze for Igbu Orlukwor who, is going to be within Igbu Orlukwor Kingdom, and that means that people will have access to him all the time.Â
“So, issues that normally escalate to problems, because there’s an eze now close to the people, will no longer escalate into problems,” he stated.
The people of Igbu Orlukwor have been agitating for autonomous community status and a king.
The presentation ceremony was graced by traditional rulers and regents from different communities in Ekpeye kingdom. Other dignitaries in attendance were, the area commander, Ahoada Police Command, the divisional police officer, DPO, Ahoada Divisional Police Command, the director, State Security Service, SSS, Ahoada zonal command, the director Department of State Security, DSS Rivers S and the commander, Nigeria Civil Security Corps, Rivers State.
