It was indeed an epoch making occasion as friends, relatives and well-wishers of Chief (Hon) Datonye Igbanibo George thronged in their numbers to witness his Chieftaincy installation as Idaerefama 1 of Kalabari Kingdom.
The event also witnessed the presentation of the youthful Chief to the Karibo, Buguma and the Kalabari Council of Chiefs as ‘Se Alabo’ which coincided with the 100th anniversary of Chief Igonikon George’s chieftaincy stool.
The celebration which took place at the King Amachree Memorial Hall, on Saturday with a reception party at George’s Compound Square all in Buguma, headquarters of Asari Local Government Area, attracted dignitaries from all walks of life.
In a brief remark at the occasion, father of the celebrant, Chief Igbanibo George described the bestowment of the title on his son as a square peg on a square hole, adding that Datonye has what it takes to bag the installation.
The elder George called on all and sundry to give his son the needed support to enable him “do the work which God has assigned him to do”.
Chairman of the occasion, Alabo Ipalibo Forsbury Iyiabo, a Chief Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary, in his speech, said the celebrate had exhibited a rare sense of humility, generosity and commitment to the ideals of humanity, adding that these virtues deservedly earned him the honour.
“Chief George was able to scale through all the conspiracies targeted at him because he is a man of destiny”, he said, declaring that one of God’s promises over the life of the celebrant has been fulfilled.
He advised the celebrant to remain fearless and upright and refrain from people of questionable character while urging those he described as ‘detractors’ to desist from hunting a man with the Grace of God.
Also speaking, the elder brother of the celebrant, Alabo Awoala Christopher described the Chief Datonye as a dogged and focused personality, noting that despite all the huddles, God still made a way for him.
He prayed for God’s protection, wisdom and understanding and urged his brother to remain focused even in the face of provocation, saying “When a man is elevated a Chief, he automatically becomes an elder irrespective of his age”.
In his response, Chief (Hon) Datonye Igbanibo George expressed appreciation to everyone who made the installation possible, noting that his elevation is a call to higher responsibility.
He assured that by God’s divine grace, he would live up to expectation even as he solicited the cooperation and support of all and sundry to enable him succeed.
