The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr. Emmanuel Sideso (JP) OON, Abe 1, has suspended the Chief Priest of Owhoru Deity in Ekpan, Robinson Adereyo for six months.
According to reports, the Chief priest was suspended for allegedly flouting the directive of the Ovie of Uvwie – in- Council to suspend all cultural festivals in Uvwie Local Government Area pending when the spread of the COVID – 19 pandemics is reduced.
The suspension came yesterday, following a meeting in the palace of the traditional ruler in Efurun.
At the meeting were Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Hon Ramson Onoyake, the Unuevworo (traditional mouthpiece) of Etche R’ Ekpan (traditional administrative unit), Chief Peter Ifie and some Uvwie chiefs in Ekpan.
Others who were also present at the meeting were the Unuevworo of Alegbo, DPO, Ekpan Police Station, and other heads of government security agencies in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The traditional ruler who directed that the next priest in seniority should act during the period of the suspension, also directed that Hon Onoyake should carryout the COVID-19 test for the suspended chief priest and his disciples who celebrated the Owhoru cultural festival last weekend.
Abe 1 further said that the Unuevworo of Ekpan would be issued a warning letter for failing to stop the celebration of the cultural festival.
Emphasizing that the decision of the Ovie-In-Council stands, the traditional ruler recalled that Christians did not celebrate Easter because of the outbreak of COVID-19 adding that Muslims made a similar sacrifice during their festival celebration.
Speaking further, he urged residents of the local government area to abide by all Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC)’s directives aimed at stopping the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Chief Peter Ifie had earlier revealed that he informed the suspended chief priest of the decision of the Ovie of Uvwie in Council but the chief priest ignored the decision.
On his part, the Uvwie Council boss, Hon Onoyake praised the traditional ruler for the decision and revealing that the COVID-19 was real and not a joke.
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