By Emameh Gabriel
Our elders have a saying that “A fish cannot grow fat in troubled waters.” And the gods of our land know that the waters in Okpella have been troubled for too long. Too many of our young men have been lost to the darkness of cultism and street violence. Strong, bright boys cut down before their time, leaving mothers to weep over graves that should have remained empty for decades. It is not the natural way of life. In the proper order of life, children should bury their parents, not the other way round.
What about the wives left as widows? The children growing up without fathers? These were sons of Okpella with bright futures ahead of them, cut down in their prime by mindless violence. It breaks your heart to see it. We are better than this as a community. This pain, this loss, ….. it has to stop now.
Yesterday, Saturday, May 24, 2025, something shifted in Okpella. You could feel it in the air – that quiet tension before the rains come. The new Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Majesty, Michael Eshioronoya Olorufemi Sado, held his first council with the village heads, and with the calmness of a man who understands the weight of his crown, he made a pronouncement: No more. No more cultism. No more violence. No more of this madness stealing our future.
This king has begun his reign by making a bold statement. He has looked the serpent of violence in the eye and declared enough. This was not just some political announcement. This was leadership at work- the kind that makes the hairs on your arms stand up. It seems like the first thunder of the season cracks across the sky after months of drought. The man has got a Sado’s blood in him – they say “the leopard’s cub doesn’t eat grass”, and it is true. There is steel in his words when he needs it, but wisdom too.
I have been saying it to anyone who will listen, this is not just another traditional ruler making empty vows. The current administration has made Okpella’s security a top priority, and the new monarch understands this perfectly well. He carries the weight of that responsibility. You can see it in how he carries himself. Doesn’t need to shout. Doesn’t need to show off. He watches, listens, and when he finally speaks, his words land like a blacksmith’s hammer on hot iron.
What really gets me is he understands this is just the beginning. Banning the bad is easy. Building something better, is the real work. But I have heard of plans taking shape – proper training for our youths, real opportunities to keep them from being lured by quick money and empty promises, and even worse, untimely death.
Some people remain sceptical about the new development in Okpella and fair enough, we have had our hopes dashed in the past. But mark my words: things won’t carry on as normal in Okpella. The Okuokpellagbe is being careful about who he listens to, making sure he identifies those who care about the community more than lining their own pockets
Okpella’s been given a chance here. With a leader like this – one who remembers the old ways but is not afraid of the new – we might just see our children grow fat in peaceful waters after all.
Some have asked why I threw my support behind him. ‘You do not wait for the rain to stop before mending your roof.’ Truth be told: my instinct and the the way he carries himself.
His position against violence is more than law – it is the planting of a seed. Our people know that “a single hand cannot lift a child to the rooftop,” and so this ban is but the first step in rebuilding what was broken.
Your Majesty, let me use this opportunity to commend you for taking that bold step to rid our community of violent crimes, to congratulate you once more, and to offer a few words of advice.
You ascended the throne during a fragile moment in the history of our community. The words of our elders ring true: ‘A man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body.’ Every incident that transpired before your reign holds critical lessons for your leadership.
You must remain vigilant. People will come bearing gifts, but as we have seen, their “favours” often come with strings attached. When a handshake goes beyond the elbow, it has entered another sleeve.
Root out the cabals in Okpella.
For years, opportunists profited from our vacant throne, signing shady land deals, selling mining rights, and lining their pockets while the people suffered. These leeches still lurk in the shadows. Your first task is to break their grip. Audit all contracts signed during the interregnum. Restore communal ownership of what was stolen.
Heal the Division. The youth who supported Akemokue Lukman didn’t do that because they were fools, they were desperate for change after years of neglect. Now, they watch to see if you will be different. Don’t punish his loyalists; win them over. Create jobs through vocational centres and farm cooperatives. Let them see tangible proof that this new era is not just about changing kings but changing lives. A tree with bitter roots cannot bear sweet fruit. Uproot the causes of their anger. I have received calls from some of these people who have promised to work with you for the progress of Okpella.
To restore faith, involve the people openly. When considering advisers, ask: Whose bread are they eating? Those truly loyal to Okpella will prioritise communal welfare over personal gain. Publicly document all decisions, from land leases to council appointments, so no one can whisper that you rule in darkness.
Honour Tradition, But Adapt Wisely. Our customs exist to serve the people, not chain them. While upholding sacred rites, remember: An elder who insists the old way to tie a bundle is best, even when the rope keeps breaking, is an elder who will soon carry nothing. Partner with the tech-savvy youth to modernise leadership without eroding our identity.
Beware the Praise-Singers.
Already, sycophants will swarm the palace, flattering you while plotting their own agenda. Learn from the downfall of kings before you. They were ultimately a pawns in others’ games. Keep true elders close; their blunt counsel will matter more than a chorus of “Yes, Your Royal Majesty”
Your reign begins in a rare moment of redemption. The Edo State government’s reversal wasn’t just about removing one king who was wrongly installed, it was a demand for Okpella to rediscover its soul. A throne built on sand collapses at high tide. Build yours on justice, transparency, and service.
May your legacy be the one that when historians write of this turbulent era, they will say, “Sado didn’t just wear the crown, he earned it.”
Long Live the King!
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