A Man of The People Is New King- Elect Of Udu kingdom
By Ogheneyovwe Favour Edomi
The overwhelming turn out of Chiefs and support of the Okporua Ruling House, Udu kingdom in Udu local government area of Delta state, on May 11, 2025 for Michael Orugbo, an Engineer, philanthropist and renowned socialist was a demonstration of divinity, royalty, godliness and who the cap fits.
Indeed, the Ovie-elect of Udu kingdom, holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Udu kingdom and Urhobo land. Hence when the news of his endorsement was broken on Sunday May 11th, 2025 after a strategic meeting of Chiefs of the ruling house, chaired by Chief Stanley Tesiri, KSC, joy was the word as people danced in rejoicing wherever the news got to in the Kingdom and beyond.
This followed the passage of the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Barr E.B.O Delekpe and subsequent selection of Engr Mike Orugbo to step into the throne of Udu Kingdom as the next Ovie of Udu people in Udu Local Government Area of Delta state.
Hence the entire leadership of Okporua Ruling House in line with the 1979 Edict, which stipulates the order of succession to the throne, with the Presidents, Secretaries, Youth Leaders, Women and Elders of the five communities in Okporua, including Ogbe-Udu, Oghior, Ukpiovwin, Okolor-Waterside and Okolor-Inland,to select Engr Mike Orugbo as the next King of the Kingdom.
For Olorogun Luke Obemiguren Djebah,JP, Ovwata of Udu kingdom,
former Financial secretary of Udu Union of Communities, former president of Ufuoma_Udu and current publicity secretary of Urhobo Progress Union world wide as well as 3rd in command in Okporua Ruling house, who was equally considered for the position of the King but stepped down for the King-elect, Engr Mike Orogbo, his support for the King-elect according to him was because of Orugbo’s pedigree, his commitment to the greater good of the community and the kingdom at large as well as his commitment to unifying the people of Udu. Furthermore, Olorogun Djebah said he stepped down for the king-elect because of his exceptional leadership qualities and charisma. He referred to when he ( Olorogun Luke Djebah) was the President of Ufuoma-Udu, an administrative organ of Udu kingdom, the King-elect, Engr Mike Orogbo did everything for him to succeed all through his tenure. Others Udu people in Diaspora have equally said the ruling house made the right choice.
Indeed, the King-elect of Udu kingdom, Engr Mike Orogbo with his kinsmen and friends across Delta state, Nigeria and beyond, it has been celebration galore.
Until his recent selection by the ruling house as the Ovie ( King-elect), Michael Orugbo born April 13,1954 is the founder of O-SECUL Nigeria Limited, a company he founded in 1989 and has been the Chief Executive and Managing Director. The new king-elect is equally a leading EPIC and Human Capital development professional with over 28 years experience in Engineering services in the oil and gas industry.
The new Ovie-elect is a graduate of Electrical/ Electronics from Auchi polytechnic and a certified COREN Engineer as well as a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
The new king-elect has a foundation- Onameyori, set up in the memory of his mother who died when he was 12 years old. A foundation which he has used to give several scholarships to indigent Udu students as well as donates several medical drugs to six Health Centers in Udu local government area as part of his efforts to assist the health centers with drugs
The ceremony according to Olorogun Luke Djebah will come to its peak when the government gives the Ovie-elect the staff of office after all the traditional ceremonies have been concluded. Thereafter, the Udu people will come out to show the world the rich Udu dance and cultural heritage of Udu kingdom. For now the celebration galore continues.