A 99-year-old monarch caused a stir as he drove his family members to a thanksgiving ceremony to show how strong he still is even at such an advanced age.
HRM Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro I JP, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom
HRM Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro I JP, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, Delta State is one rare man. The monarch still reads without glasses at the ripe age of 99. The monarch who is widely celebrated has shared the secret of his longevity during a chat with Vanguard.
He was heaped with praises as he drove his family members in a black Lexus jeep to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ogoni-Olomu for a special thanksgiving service, to thank God for his mercies.
The Ohworode is also the oldest educated monarch in the state, still reads without glasses, walks unaided and displays unusual strength for his age. Speaking on the secret that has seen him agile and strong even at such an age, the monarch attributed the feat to God.
According to him, “God has been magnanimous to us as a people, yet we are crawling and sleeping. Am urging every one of us to learn how to give our hearts and soul to God as this is the only way we can succeed in life.
“God is the secret of my longevity and that is why at my age, I can still drive.”
During the thanksgiving celebration, the monarch was described by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as an agent of change while presiding over the activities of his people for the past 28 years as Ohworode of Olomu kingdom.
The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Sir Fidelis Tilije a grand reception by the Urhobo Social Club, Lagos in honour of the monarch at Olomu, stated that as an epitome of God’s gift to Nigeria as a nation, all Deltans should emulate the leadership qualities of the monarch, adding that as an agent of change, there are lessons to be learnt from his life and times.
On his part, president of Urhobo Social Club, Chief Simeon Ohwofa while giving reasons for the honour bestowed on the monarch, said: “The Owhorode as a king, radiates excellence in his leadership for the past 28years on the throne and this excellence is what the club stands for, hence we have decided to celebrate him.”
In his paper presentation titled, “The progressive leadership in a traditional setting,” the guest speaker at the reception, Prof. Samuel Ibodje, described the monarch as a colossus whose image transcends the frontiers of Urhobo into the international arena while remaining visibly endearing to his people as their monarch for the past 27years.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Olu of Warri, Obi of Onitsha, Pere of Seimbiri Kingdom, government officials and Ivie from the various Urhobo kingdom.