LIRA CITY:
Margaret, wife of His Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, the Paramount Chief Elect of the Lango people, expressed her gratitude and shared her vision for the future at a historic gathering of the wives of Lango Clan Heads. The event, held at the Lango Cultural Centre yesterday, 17th May 2024, marked the first time such a meeting had taken place, underscoring the importance of unity and cultural preservation within the community.
In her address, Margaret extended her heartfelt thanks to His Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune and the entire assembly of Clan Heads for facilitating this groundbreaking meeting. She highlighted the importance of such gatherings in fostering unity and collaboration among the Lango people.
Margaret also took the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in the election of the new Paramount Chief on March 1, 2024. She praised the outgoing Paramount Chief Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii and his late wife Mama Victoria for their significant contributions to the advancement of Lango culture.
“I urge everyone to keep the spirit of unity alive,” Margaret said. She advised the women to dress properly, show respect to their husbands, and maintain their families while setting an example for others. She encouraged them to work alongside their husbands in the fight against poverty, emphasizing the critical role women play in the socio-economic development of their communities.
Margaret also underscored the importance of environmental conservation, urging the women to support the tree-planting initiatives championed by the new Paramount Chief. “This effort is crucial in our fight against climate change,” she stated.
Addressing social issues, Margaret expressed her deep concern about the prevalence of street children, attributing this problem to domestic violence. She also lamented the high rates of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts among young girls, linking these issues to the negative effects of urbanization, including drug abuse among the youth. She called on women to stand firm and take an active role in their families to counter these challenges.
His Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, in his speech, highlighted several pressing issues facing the Lango community, starting from family dynamics to broader clan-related concerns. He stressed the need for a return to a decent dressing code for cultural leaders and their spouses, which would facilitate the easy identification of these figures at various levels of society.
His Highness also urged the community to prepare for the upcoming coronation ceremony scheduled for November 2, 2024. “This will be a powerful event that will display the mighty Lango culture to the entire world,” he declared.
The election of His Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune as the new Paramount Chief on March 1, 2024, marks a new chapter for the Lango people. His coronation will follow the departure of the incumbent Paramount Chief Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii on November 1, 2024.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including former MP for Lira Municipality Joy Atim Ongom, Josephine Omara Olili who chaired the meeting, George Ojwang Opota, Clan Head of Omolacol Odyek Onywal Iceng, Speaker of the Lango Cultural Foundation Willy Omodo Omodo, and Hamza Okello, Secretary to the Paramount Chief Elect.
Margaret, who hails from the Omolacol Odyek Onywal Iceng Clan, remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, urging the Lango women to take active roles in their families and communities. Her message of unity, respect, and environmental stewardship resonated deeply with those in attendance, setting a positive tone for the future of the Lango community.