By Felix Ekwu
The Ukutemi Obelikpeyah family of Ukpokiti/Igbudu communities of Agbarah-Warri Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State say they are extremely proud of one of their illustrious sons, Dr Michael Ejueyitsi Ogheneyoma Tidi, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council for being a worthy son with an unblemished track record.
The Obelikpeyah family stated this at a grand reception they organised in honour of Tidi on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at the Ogwan Re’Ukutemi Obelikpeyah Akporue, Opposite Cavergina Primary School Warri.
During the ceremony, the family took a swipe at those who for political gains are peddling the falsehood that Tidi is neither an Urhobo man nor from Warri South Constituency Two for him to be eligible to contest for the constituency seat in Delta State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections.
The colourful reception had notable family heads of Ukutemi Obelikpeyah which include Pa German Odje Obelikpeyah, Pa Victor Ulori Ukutemi Obelikpeyah and Mr Emmanuel Otomewo.
The family in an address read by Chief (Sir) Countryman Julius Kpesu Obelikpeyah (Family Secretary) said, ”It’s a thing of great joy for us to be gathered here today. Firstly, I want to give my profund gratitude to God Almighty through His beloved son, Jesus Christ for keeping us alive to see this day. May their names be reverenced and glorified forever.
”We, the Obelikpeyah family of Ukpokiti and Igbudu communities of Agbarha Kingdom, Warri, in Warri South Local Government Area heartily welcome you to this grand reception in honour of our illustrious and distinguished son, Dr Michael Ents Oghenevoma Tidi, the Executive Chairman, Wam South Local Government Council.
”This might be coming a little late but it is better late than never. No time is to acknowledge a worthy son. We want to say we’re proud to associate ourselves with your giant strides in governance and human capital development.
”In these days when young men of your age are indulging in unwholesome activities, you decided to follow the path of honour and dignity, seeking and acquiring all that there’s in education including a doctor of philosophy PhD and a Bachelor of Law in equity.
”In your young age, you’ve proven that there’s nothing that cannot be achieved with dint of hard work and God’s grace in an era when some say school is a scam our earnest prayers that Jehovah continue to grant you wisdom to accomplish more successes in the remaining year in office and also to grant you all that you desire in furtherance of your political aspirations, even higher office by His grace. We make bold to say as a family we’re solidly behind you to achieve your aspirations.”
Other speakers at the ceremony included a prominent political leader in Warri South, Hon Victor Agbateyiniro, the Leader, Warri South Local Government Council Legislative Arm, Chief Sylvester Ijabor and HRH (Dr) Salifu Onu Igala Warri.
They all in brief traced Dr Tidi’s root to the Ukutemi Obelikpeyah family describing him as a true son worthy of their praise and esteem.
They, therefore, advised political detractors to look for something else to campaign against Tidi instead of trying to smear his hard-earned reputation and also score cheap political points with his family background.
Very elated Dr Michael Tidi, who was accompanied by his wife, Juliet, expressed immense gratitude to the Obelikpeyah family for honouring him for the second time; the first being when he emerged as chairman of Warri South Local Government Council in his first tenure.
Tidi told the gathering, “You all know me very well that is why you have put this together. One thing I can assure you is giving the time I will be here in the Council, I will not fail the Obelikpeyah family. The only way I will not fail you people is to redouble my effort”.
Speaking on one of the prime focuses of his administration, Tidi said, “We’ve been able to hold ourselves together all with a view to give governance a facelift in Warri South Local Government. And I believe if I had failed you, people, this reception wouldn’t have been organised for the second time.
“What is paramount to us when we came on board is peace, peace, peace. A lot of sacrifices have gone into the new face that we have given to governance in Warri.
“I want to leave a Warri South where everyone from different divides will be seen as one. While I was growing up, what I knew as at then when I was small was one Warri.
“The Itsekiris, the Urhobos and the non-natives were all living as one. And that was why we had several people from outside Warri holding positions of authority in Warri.
“That unfortunate crisis of 1997/1999 is what we pray should not happen in Warri again in Jesus’s name!,” Tidi emphasized.
