HRH King Enenimibo-ofori Dateme- Obonogina, has been officially coronated as Obonogina ix, Onu-Onyan-Ekein (Amayanabo) of Obonoma kingdom.
The coronation ceremony was performed by the Bishop, Niger Delta Diocese, His Lordship, RT. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja who was represented by Ven. Dr. Isoboye Amabibi at the Town square in Akuku- Toru local government area of Rivers State.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the coronation , the man of God charged the King to always rule his people with the fear of God and shu anything that is capable of breaching the peace, unity and development of the kingdom.
The man of God who was highly elated by the new ways of coronation said that the Christian pattern of coronation would bring about the ways of Christ in the various communities.
“Is not as if our tradition is bad but it’s better to do away with those fetish kind of tradition that is not in accordance with the words of God . Any traditional practice that doesn’t give glory to God is not a good tradition. I urged him to rule his people with the fear of God and bring the entire community as a family in unity and oneness”.
The Amayanabo of Abonnema , HRM, king Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel charged King Dateme to continue to be the good man he has always been and for the people of Obonoma to have faith in themselves, and also to close ranks to transform the community into an enviable and prosperous land.
The monarch said that the recognition and the elevation of the stool is a welcome development that has brought joy not only to the people of Obonoma but the entire Kalabari kingdom. He thank the immediate past state governor for the elevation of the stool.
Chief Clifford Peika, the secretary to the Council of Chiefs and HRH, King Awo Jackrich , the King of Kumbufari community in their separate speeches promised to give King Dateme all the possible support to enable him succeed.
King Dateme in his response, thanked former governor, Nyesom Wike for the elevation of the Obonoma traditional stool second class. According to him, Obonoma has been in existence for over 500 years, yet no government has deemed it fit to recognize the stool but former governor Wike took the bull by the horn and did the needful.
Giving A brief history of his emergence as the King, the monarch said he was duly selected by the family of the Queen Bo Royal House of Obonoma as a direct descendant of King Obonoma and Queen Bo Obonogina.
He averred that he initially refused the offer because of his faith in Christ and his political career but in the elders insisted he should accept the mantle.
When asked why he chose to be crowned by the man of God rather than the traditional way of coronation, the monarch said he is not in anyway faulting the forefathers that brought him to life but because his belief system is different.
“Today our belief system is different. I am a Knight of Saint Christopher and so we are doing this in accordance with my faith and belief. We will ensure that we direct the affairs of this kingdom with the fear of God, with love, truth and not to misdirect the community”
He said since December 19, 2020 he was admitted into the Obonoma Council of Chiefs, both the old and new chiefs came to conclusions that there would be no longer pouring of libations, but to promote their forefathers in a more acceptable manner by organizing a “Founders Day” to honour and promote their forefathers, stressing that ever since the Obonoma kingdom was dedicated to God, there are multiples blessings of God.
He also thanked the Queen Bo Royal House of Obonoma and King Obonogina family for finding him worthy for the exalted position.
