The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has been nominated as Chairman of the Committee of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing States (TROMPCOM) comprising Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ondo, AkwaIbom and Cross River States.
The Patron of TROMPCOM and the Amanayabo of Brass in Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness, King Diete Spiff, announced this when he visited Oba Ewuare II in his Palace in Benin City.
He told the Benin monarch that the body was formed to address the problems posed by oil exploration and gas-flaring in the communities to bring succour to the people, whose environment have been devastated.
King Diete Spiff explained that the chairmanship of TROMPCON is rotated every two years, and that it is the turn of Edo State to head the body, hence he came to plead with the monarch to accept the offer.
The monarch said that if the people of the oil-producing states are impacted on positively, unemployment and youth restiveness in the region would be reduced.
In his response, Oba Ewuare II thanked Diete Spiff for the invitation extended to him to chairman the body, adding that he had accepted to take the responsibility and prayed God and his ancestors to grant him the wisdom and good health to justify the confidence reposed in him.
He however called for the utilisation of the abundant gas resources instead of flaring it to cause environmental and health hazards for the people.
The Benin monarch used the opportunity to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari back home and thank God for his quick recovery.
Oba Ewuare II told his guest that he would soon embark on nationwide thank you tour, beginning with a visit to President Buhari in Abuja, after which he will meet traditional rulers in the South-South and other parts of the country.
The Oba of Benin also received the Otaru of Igarra, His Royal Highness, Oba E.A.Saiki III, who was in the Palace to inform him about his 20th coronation anniversary slated for October this year as well as the Aba Igarra Festival which is held every seven years.
