Jubilation In Somiari Town, Ogoloma As Amiejubodie Family Becomes War Canoe House
Celebrations rocked the ancient town of Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area and Somiari Town, Port Harcourt City local government area respectively on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 following the emergence of the Amiejubodie Family of Ogoloma as a war canoe house.
The jubilant natives, with a handful of visitors, celebrated what marked the attainment of autonomy by the Amiejubodie Family who recently secured a landmark judgement from an Okrika High Court following decades of contention over the ownership of Somiari Town.
According to the Chief and traditional head of the Amiejubodie Omuaro War Canoe House of Chukuni-Biri, Ogoloma, Chief (Barr) Tamunokuro Alex Somiari Amiejubodie: “Amiejubodie Family is now an autonomous entity from the Somiari Community and Nangigbo War Canoe House of Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area. We can now government ourselves and control our properties”.
The historic ceremony which was performed by the elders and members of the ancient Ogoloma Council of Chiefs and witnessed by a cross section of visitors, has also placed the seal of authority to control the affairs in Somiari Community, PHALGA and Amiejubodie War Canoe House, Ogoloma, WALGA.
Speaking while administering the oath of authority on Chief (Barr) Amiejubodie, Chief OribieneAppolosIyieyeUkuAnyima enjoined the monarch to promote and defend the ancient traditions and ethos of Wakirike, while carrying his subjects along, irrespective of social, economic and political affiliations.
He urged the people to give the ruler all the support and cooperation needed to succeed.
In his speech shortly after his coronation, High Chief (Barr.) Tamunokuro Alex Somiari Amiejubodie, the chief and traditional head of the Amiejubodie Omuaro War Canoe House and Somiari Town, called on his people to be productive and strive for development of the communities.
According to him, the next level in his plan of action is to be recognized by the Okrika Divisional Council of Chiefs (ODCC).
He declared that a kingdom would be established where a king will be enthroned to administer the Amiejubodie Institution that started in 1896 when the man Amiejubodie was made the first warrant chief in the whole of Okrika.
He added that by reason of his high profile, Chief Amiejubodie was a signatory to the 1913 Hangrove Agreement that alienated Port Harcourt to the colonial masters.
Barrister Tamunokuro Alex Somiari Amiejubodie who until the historic event on Tuesday, was a Chief-Elect, had the chieftaincy rites performed on him and formally admitted into the fold of the ancient Ogoloma Council of Chiefs.
