Hendrix Oliomogbe
With a solemn pledge to be a bridge between the Benin and Ijaw people in oil bearing communities in Edo State, Mr. Kenneth Aduwaye was inaugurated as the Edo State chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and A Gas (HOSTCOM) during the weekend in(m)) Benin City.
At the crowded ceremony which was held at HOSTCOM secretariat, Prince Odion Abumwere and other members of the executive council were also sworn in by Barrister. Osayi Ehiorobo, at the event which was supervised by Dr. Osasu Isibor.
Mr. Aduwaye, an Ijaw from the riverside community of Gelegele, Ovia North East Local Government Area, who took over the reins of power from, Comrade Andrew Oyegue, following the election of December 13, 2025, is scheduled to pilot the affairs of the group in the next four years.
In his inaugural address, shortly after he was administered the oath of office, the chairman, who sounded conciliatory passionately appealed to Benin people to support him in his quest to ameliorate the plight of oil bearing communities in Edo State.
While making a veiled reference to the cold war between the Benins and Ijaws over the ownership of the land in the oil rich riverine communities in the state, he said that the two people are destined to live together and so must strive for peace.
The chairman declared: "It's not an error for God to have brought the Ijaws and Benin together. It's a divine arrangement and we're all one. We'll work together to move Edo State forward. Edo State is for all of us.
"HOSTCOM is not a one man show. Everybody will be carried along. It's a collective responsibility. I can't do it alone. I need the support of each and everyone of the exco. I love Edo State and Nigeria."
Speaking in the same vein, Dr. Isibor, the national organizing secretary said that there's no room for ethnicity in the affairs of HOSTCOM, noting that as a bridge builder, with a wealth of experience, gathered over the years, Mr. Aduwaye has all it takes to pilot the affairs of the group.
Sounding optimistic, the national organizing secretary stoutly defended the choice of the new chairman, noting that he emerged from a free and fair election, which was held last December 13.
He added: "The previous chairmen were all Benins but this time, the chairmanship was zoned to Ovia North East Local Government Area by the national headquarters of HOSTCOM, where Mr. Aduwaye hails from.
"The foundation has been laid. Mr. Aduwaye is a bridge between the Benins and the Ijaws. We must make the right moves if not, there will be tension everywhere. Aduwaye has been at HOSTCOM since 2003 and has all it takes to make it. At HOSTCOM, there's no room for ethnicity."
Prince Abumwere, who lauded the efforts of the combined team of policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCSDC) and vigilantes during the inauguration ceremony remarked that it's a new dawn for the organization, which over the years has championed the cause of oil bearing communities and also highlighted their plight.
The state scribe promised to work harmoniously with the chairman and other members of the exco to realize the mandate of HOSTCOM.
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