As Ogbaland and the world at large eagerly await the August 13, 2021 burial date for the late Ogba monarch, Oba Chukumela Nnam Obi II, the royal palace in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area has turned into a Mecca of sort, with shades of groups and personalities trooping in on condolence visits.
One of those who registered their presence at the Royal Palace on Wednesday, was the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Led on the visit by the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandison Douglas Jaja, the group said they were at the Palace to identify with the family as the deceased served for 3 consecutive terms as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
“We have come to condole with the people of Ogbaland and encourage all and sundry to take heart and find solace. Death is inevitable and we must accept it in good fate. What is important is living a good legacy while you stayed on earth.
“The late Oba Nnam Obi II was a man of great intellect, a philosopher, and a man of valor. Dr. Nnam Obi II was a man who loved his friends, people and virtually everyone around him.
“He left a legacy that we cannot forget in a hurry. He left a legacy in the council and we appreciate him for all the good works he did while he was Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in the State”.
King Jaja also commended the efforts of the late Oba’s successor, Barr. Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III who he said, has exhibited exact traits of his late father, urging him to remain strong and energetic just like the late king.
He sued for peace and cooperation between the Ogba Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, with the current Oba of Ogba Land”
King Jaja disclosed that the Rivers State Council of Traditional rulers would hold a valedictory session on Wednesday 11th of August, 2021 in honor of late Oba Chukumela Nnam Obi II, adding that the Council will ensure that all processes to bid the late Oba a farewell is in place and properly planed.
In his speech, Oba of Ogbaland, Barr. Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III, who received the visitors on behalf of Chiefs and traditional rulers from all walks of life that makes up the Ogba kingdom, thanked the delegation for visiting at this moment of grief, assuring that he would work hand in glove with the Rivers State Council of Traditional rulers just like his late father.
“Collectively, we will give the late king a befitting funeral as he journeys home to finally meet our ancestors. Laying the late king to rest is not done in a day, we also appeal that you pray for us as we undergo this process”, he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter, has described the late Oba’s of Ogbaland, as a humble, friendly and soft-spoken personally who will be missed by his admirers.
Speaking when she led a high powered delegation of female journalists on condolence visit to the new Oba of Ogbaland, His Eminence, Eze Nwachuku Nnam Obi III at his palace on Friday, Rivers NAWOJ Chairman, Susan Nwikhana noted that despite his royal status and the stool he occupied, the late Ogba monarch lived a simple life devoid of extravagance and unbridled materialism.
“The death of our monarch came to us as a rude shock even though he passed on at the ripe age of 80 years and 50 years on the throne”, she said, adding, “with the assurance that the land of Ogba is with NAWOJ, the association promises to join forces with the family of our late Oba to give him a befitting burial”.
Responding, Oba of Ogbaland, His Eminence, Eze Nwachukwu Solomon Obi III, thanked the visiting team and NAWOJ at large for their show of love evidenced in their coming to commiserate and mourn with the family.
“I am very much aware of the efforts of my late father, from being a patron of NUJ until his death; we are happy with you and seeing you here, my father is happy”, the Ogba monarch said.
