ONC Confers Grand Patronship On Eze Egi III As Monarch Demands More Government Attention For Oil-Producing Region

Notable Niger Delta socio-cultural group the Orashi National Congress, ONC, has conferred the title of Grand Patron on the King of Egi Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Victor Egbo Elenwa, JP, also known as Eze Egi III, as part of activities marking this year’s Egwu-Ogba, New Yam Festival.

The presentation was made on Saturday, August 15, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the royal palace in Egi Kingdom, led by the President General of ONC, Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, JP, AP.

Amb. Ibe said the delegation was in the palace on behalf of the people of the Orashi Region — comprising Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs — to celebrate with the Egi people and honour the monarch for his leadership and contributions to the kingdom.

He described the Egwu-Ogba festival as a celebration of thanksgiving, unity, prosperity and the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Egi people.

The ONC President General urged the people of Egi to celebrate peacefully and responsibly, with respect for constituted authorities and adherence to the law.

Amb. Ibe also highlighted ongoing initiatives by the Congress to promote peace and security across Orashi. These include public enlightenment on surrender of illegal arms, security workshops, the Orashi Peace Walk, military-civilian interface programmes, campaigns against pipeline vandalisation, oil bunkering and kidnapping, engagements with security agencies, and programmes supporting traditional institutions.

He said the efforts reflect ONC’s commitment to peace, unity and sustainable development in the region.

Responding, Eze Egi III thanked the ONC leadership for the visit and for the recognition through the Grand Patronship award.

However, the monarch used the occasion to demand greater government presence in Egi Kingdom, despite its huge contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy.

“Egi Kingdom is one of the major oil and gas-producing areas in the country and deserves greater attention, development and government presence commensurate with its contribution to the national economy,” he said.

Eze Egi III also decried the marginalisation of the wider Orashi Region, noting that despite its abundant natural and human resources, the region currently has no representation on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

He called on government and relevant authorities to address concerns around infrastructure, development, representation and economic opportunities for Egi Kingdom and the entire Orashi Region.

The monarch’s remarks added a development dimension to the cultural celebration, with emphasis on the need for oil-producing communities to benefit more directly from resources extracted from their land.

The ONC delegation congratulated the King and the people of Egi Kingdom, expressing hope that the Egwu-Ogba Festival would continue to strengthen unity, peace and cultural pride while ushering in greater progress for the kingdom.

The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to working with traditional institutions, government agencies, security organisations and other stakeholders to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Orashi Region.