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HRM Michael Mbanefo, Ugoani of Okpanam.

By Steve Asoya
The Asiwaju of the Yoruba Community in Okpanam Kingdom, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Teslim Abojede, has applauded the Ugoani of Okpanam, His Royal Majesty, Michael Mbanefo and the Council of Chiefs for their commitments towards the peace and progress of the community.

Chief Abojede made the commendation in Okpanam while speaking with newsmen on the significance of the eid-el-kabir Salah celebration otherwise referred to by the Yoruba muslim faithful as ‘Ileya’.

He said that the traditional ruler had continued to pilot the affairs of the community creditably, adding that all hands must be on deck to move the community forward just as he described the royal father as a man of proven integrity.

While saying that Sallah, being celebrated globally by every Islamic faithful was one of the crucial sacrifices from man to God, Asiwaju enjoined all faithful of the religion to always sustain the doctrines and principles of Islam, which he said was all about peace with one another.

The Yoruba leader who stressed the need for the people of Okpanam to love one another and strive for unity and peace at all times, noted that no meaningful development could thrive in an atmosphere of rancour and disunity.

He pledged that the Yoruba in the community would continue to contribute their quota towards consolidating the growth and development as well as peace in the community.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Yoruba Community in Okpanam and Oshimili North Local Government Area in general, Comrade Oyewole Rufus, though not a muslim and John Oyakhire described Okpanam as peaceful and accommodating Community.

He congratulated Islamic faithful on the Sallah celebration even as Oyakhire restated his commitment to Yoruba cause.

In their separate remarks, Prince Adeyemi, Rasaq Isa, one of the Islamic faithful in the area, Mr. Kenneth Emonigbedi, Mr Onyekwue Issa who were both neighbours of the Asiwaju called on all muslim faithful to always uphold the philosophies of Islam which according to them was anchored on love.

They described the Asiwaju as a detribalised leader and personality, with humble background and prayed God to guide and protect him and his family, even as they wished him good health and longevity of life.