Francis Sadhere
The popular Ogbe-Ijoh market in Warri was on Saturday shut down by the Ogbe-Ijoh Traditional Council of Warri South and Warri South/West to kick-start the final burial rite of their late monarch, His Royal Majesty, Amaa (The 11th Pere) Pere: Amakosu Of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Oduwor III.
According to Mr. Richard Koremene, a youth leader from Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, who spoke to our correspondentother markets including the Main Market, Maciver Market, both in Warri and other markets within the vicinity of the kingdom were shut down for the whole of Saturday as a mark of honour to the late monarch.
He said; “We had to shut down the markets as a sign of honour to our late monarch who passed away last year after 40 years reign. Today is the first day of the beginning of the final burial rites of our late monarch which will last for one week. This is done to mourn and celebrate him. We are mourning him because we have lost a great king. We are also celebrating him because he had lived a good life.”
Mr. Koremene called on all sons and daughters of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom to come out en mass and join in the seven days burial ceremony of their late king, adding that other Ijaw and non-Ijaw brothers who want to celebrate with them were welcome to Ogbe-Ijaw Kingdom.
“Our late monarch reigned for 40 years and his reign has brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom. He was a very wise and good king who made sure that all disputes in the kingdom were settle peacefully. It was during his reign that Ogbe-Ijaw kingdom became the Headquarters of Warri South and that alone has brought a lot of development to the kingdom. Even when there was crisis in the area, the late monarch was able to handle the situation competently,” Koremene said.
Another Youth leader, Mr. Wellington Ogbeyeine Boukumor, Assistant Secretary, Ajili Community in Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom said the late monarch was a man that has a good listening ear and listens to anyone no matter how high or low the person may be.
He enjoined all to come and celebrate with them as they bury their late monarch, saying that late monarch had a lot of friends both within the state and outside the state.
Also speaking, Mr. Emmanuel Ingo, a youth leader from Tekedokusimi community said the 40 years reign of their late monarch was very fruitful, just as he called on all the Ijaws in Nigeria to come and celebrate with the kingdom as they mourn and celebrate the demise of their late king.
