Breaking: URHOBOS AND IJAWS UNITE AS LOYIBO IS CONFERRED AS OTUYOTA OF IDJERHE KINGDOM (URHOBO LAND).

Urhobos and Ijaws may have finally found a uniting ground to lasting peace in the region as the good and great people of Urhobo, in Idjerhe Kingdom of Ethiope west LGA, Delta State, conferred the prestigious chieftaincy title of "OTUYOTA" translating in English as the " bearer of truth" Upon Ijaw born Niger delta activist, High Chief Mike Ekayama Loyibo, the convener of the Niger Delta People’s Congress and a former leader of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, the group at the forefront of the talks with the Presidency on how to end the standoff in the Niger Delta.

We could recall that recently there was a rift between the Urhobos and Ijaws over issues of territorial boundary, which led to clashes in some areas.

Despite these unfortunate incidents, the urhobos and Ijaws have continue to prove that the bond inbetween will not be thrown to the wind by few agrieved over unwarranted and unnecessary issues.

The event which occured in Jesse town, at the ancient palace of  HRM. Edward Igho Otadaferua, ERHIEKEVWE 1, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, witness large turnouts of the urhobo people, who came to witness the ceremony, as it turned out to be a uniting ground for the urhobos and Ijaws, pleasantries were exchange and the two ethnic group pledged to strengthen their relationship with one another in ensuring the speedy development of the region.

In the words of palace spokesperson "we cannot do without the Ijaws and the Ijaws cannot do without us, we are one indivisible people, we have not stopped supporting the Ijaw people and we will never stop supporting them, they are our brothers and we are one big family".

The conferment of title was done by the Ekhvewe 1 of Idjerhe Kingdom, Ovie, who was in company with his traditional council of chiefs and other dignitaries from far and across the kingdom, traditional rites were observed, and in accordance to the customs of the people, High Chief Mike Loyibo was conferred with the chieftaincy title of "OTUYOTA".

Speaking at the conferment ceremony, HRM Edward Igho Otadaferua, ERHIEKEVWE 1, the Ovie of the Kingdom, noted that the Ijaws and urhobos will continue to coexist as one indivisible entity, he lauded Loyibo and maintained that loyibo has done wonderfully well as a young man, and he was confident in his person, in his words,  "Ijaws and urhobos are like husband and wife, our bond is unbreakable, and i pray God to continue to sustain this friendship and love we share, loyibo has done remarkably well for this region, it's time for all Ijaws and urhobos to Unite", he said.

Loyibo who spoke, assured the urhobo people of continuous harmonious existence with the Ijaws, and stated that, within his reach, more development will be attracted to the Kingdom.

Other dignitaries from the Ijaw extraction present: Hon. Justice F.F. Tabai (Ebenanaowei Elect of Tuomo Kingdom), Chief Wellington Okrika and a host of others too numerous to mention.

Loyibo is described as a Vocal, bold, truthful Niger Delta Activist, known for his philanthropic gestures, a living legend, known for his intellectual agitations which has opened doors of development, infrastructures, Job opportunities, Scholarships and development to the Niger Delta region.