The great philanthropist, Chief Dumo Owukori Lulu-Briggs, has been installed as the Head of Oruwari Briggs War Canoe House of Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The ceremony was performed by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema ,HM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel (II), Ekineye, Owukori (ix), Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the Oruwari Memorial Hall.
The monarch said the installation was done in full compliance with the customs and tradition of Kalabari people and commended the Oruwari House for the choice they have made, saying Chief Dumo Briggs is generally regarded as a peaceful and honest man.
He said such a man on the stool, peace, unity and progress will be restored in the Briggs family. He admonished Chief Lulu-Briggs to remain steadfast in discharging the expectations of the people.
A friend of Chief Briggs, Nelson Jaja, said the most interesting thing about Chief Briggs is his philanthropic work, always concerned about people, saying that the Oruwari house is very lucky to have him as their head.
According to him, Chief Briggs would come with fresh ideas into the Abonnema Council of Chiefs. He would not remove anything from the institution rather to add values to the institution, saying that the traditional institution is very important to the people.
Also speaking was Chief Daemi Akpana who described the honour bestowed on Chief Briggs as well deserved in the light of his meaningful contributions in Oruwari War Canoe House, the people of Abonnema and humanity generally.
He prayed God to guide and strengthen him as he carried on as a member of the revered traditional stool and also grant him the wisdom to pilot the affairs of his people.
Mr. Kinye A.F. Briggs said the Polo Dabo title is one of the highest honours conferred on deserving and worthy sons like Chief Dumo Briggs.
Commenting further, he said that the conferment of the Chieftaincy title to the newly Polo Dabo is a clear testimony of his honesty, transparent life and appreciation of his philanthropic work through which he has impacted positively on the culture, religious and socio-economic development of Abonnema and Kalabari at large.
According to him, the families of Oruwari have not witnessed such day for a very long time, stressing that Chief Dumo Briggs had brought the Abonnema Council of Chiefs and them together in unity and to promised to give them all the necessary support to enable him succeed.
Chief Dumo Owukori Lulu-Briggs, Ebuye-Lulu II, Iniikeiroari (vi) of Kalabari Kingdom, now the Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs War Canoe House of Abonnema said he was highly elated to occupy the ancestral stool of their forefathers which was founded over two centuries ago.
He promised not to let the people down in appreciation of all the love and trust reposed in him.
He expressed joy that less than one month after his installation as the Head of Young Briggs House the entire Oruwari House came together, and installed him as the Head of Oruwari House to occupy the exalted stool of their forebears, saying he is aware that the title comes with enormous responsibilities. He prayed to God for the strength, wisdom and the courage to always do right and also to bring about development.
Similarly, a new stool titled “Oluluye Benson was created for the first son of late Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, Chief Senibo Lulu-Briggs in recognition of the contributions of his father.
Chief Senibo Lulu-Briggs pledged to work together with other chiefs to move the Briggs family forward, and also ensure that equity and justice prevailed.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, chiefs and elders from the Kingdom.
