Why Edo Commissioner was stripped of chieftaincy title – Palace spokesman
The Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, His Royal Highness Nathaniel Omogbai, Okpamen the IX has cleared the air on why the honourary chieftaincy title of the Uzoyare of Ozalla Kingdom conferred on the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora Affairs, Mrs Uyi Oduwa-Malaka was withdrawn.
The Onotare, who spoke through the palace spokesman accused the commissioner of disrespecting the throne.
Mrs Malaka was alleged to have asked the king to meet her in her car when she drove into the palace on April 12, 2024.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, Palace spokesman, Dr Osumah Obaze, stated that the Onotare ordered the immediate revocation of her title to discourage others from defiling the esteemed throne.
According to the statement, the title of Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, given to George Ohioma, has been revoked and is now reserved for “Ozalla freeborns.”
The statement read: “Her legion of offences, among others, include openly insulting the Onotare and for not paying obeisance to the Onotare of Ozalla on April 13, 2024, during Ivbamen festival in the presence of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku and Chairman, Owan West Local Government of the state, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi and for openly boasting to remove the traditional ruler from office.
“In the same vein, the Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highness Nathaniel Omogbai, also revoked the honorary chieftaincy title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, conferred on George Ohioma, aka Armani, for openly insulting and physically assaulting the Onotare of Ozalla and Secretary to the Onotare, Mr. Ehichioya Ujuanbi, in the presence of the Speaker to Edo State House of Assembly, Agbebaku and the Chairman of Owan West council, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi, at the Onotare’s Palace.
“The title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, is now the exclusive reserve of the freeborn of Ozalla Kingdom, not strangers like George Ohioma. The Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Omogbai, has banned/ostracized Mrs. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and George Ohioma from the palace with immediate effect. This is for the information of the general public.”
