Traditional rulers, political leaders, and community stakeholders in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have declared a united front against drug abuse and trafficking.
Leading the charge are HRM Dr Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso (JP), OON, Abe I, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom; the Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Anthony Ofoni; the President General of the Uvwie General Improvement Union (UGIU), High Chief Abovi Hope Erute; and the Chairman of the 2025 Uvwie Cultural Day Celebration, Chief Eric Egere.
Their strong stance was made known through their keynote addresses at the 2025 Uvwie Day celebration, held on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Urhobo College, Effurun. The event was themed “Drug Abuse: An Alien Culture and Dangerous to the Future of Uvwie People.”
In his address, the revered monarch of Uvwie Kingdom, who also serves as Chairman of the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Association, warned that drug abuse poses a grave threat to the very foundation of the Uvwie people. He emphasized that even amid celebration, the community must confront this destructive menace head-on.
Similarly, the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Chief Hon. Anthony Ofoni, stressed that the fight against drug abuse is not the responsibility of a few leaders or the Ovie alone, but a collective duty that demands seriousness and deliberate action from everyone.
Also speaking, the President General of UGIU and Isirerha of Etche R’ Alegbo, High Chief Abovi Hope Erute, urged the people to protect their heritage by committing to a future free from drugs, noting that cultural celebration must go hand in hand with safeguarding coming generations.
The Chairman of the event, Chief Eric Egere, an engineer, echoed the same message through his representative, his elder brother, Mr. Johnny Egere.
The colourful 2025 Uvwie Cultural Day celebration attracted several dignitaries, including HRH Queen Patricia Sideso (JP), wife of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom; the Nene R’ Uvwie; Chief (Prince) Odafe Sideso; the 1st Vice Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom; the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom, HRM Kingsley Emakpor Orereh; Assistant Commissioner of Police Aliu Shabba, Area Commander of the newly created Effurun Police Area Command; as well as notable sons and daughters of Uvwie, non-indigenes, academics, and political leaders including Professor G. G. Darah, Dr. Dickson Onovwakpoma Oyovwi (JP), Provost of the College of Education, Warri, and Hon. Dr. Augustine Oroye, member representing Warri South Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, among others.
