Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor and the State Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Soni Ejekwu to issue a certificate of recognition and staff of office to Nwachukwu Nnam- Obi III as the new Oba of Ogbaland as a first-class traditional ruler despite protests.
Governor Wike advised also the new Oba of Ogbaland to recognise the enormous challenge that comes with superintending over a large ethnic group in the State.
The governor urged him to walk in the footsteps of his late father who, when he reigned, consulted with the government regularly, carried his traditional office with dignity and was respected across the country.
Governor Wike also charged the new Oba to be a man of peace, exude intelligence like his late father and make sure that Ogba people live in peace.
“I hope you will continue that way. Your business is the interest of your people and makes sure that your communities are in peace.”
Recall that some claimants to the stool had approached a Rivers State High Court sitting in Omoku, Onelga, to stop Nwachukwu Nnam Obi, who is the son of the immediate past ruler of the Kingdom from parading himself as Oba.
One of the claimants who hails from the family claimed it was their right to produce the next king dragged Nwachukwu Nnam Obi, the Rivers State Government, and Nigeria Agip Oil Company to court.
Prince Henry Nwata and others who are all claimants prayed the court to restrain Nwachukwu from parading himself as Oba of Ogbaland.
Nwata and others through the writ of summon in suit no, OMHC/20/CS/2022, before the court in Omoku, ONELGA, want the court to also restrain Nwachukwu from acting in that capacity of an Oba.
The claimants sought an order of the court restraining the governor of Rivers state from recognising and or issuing a certificate of recognition to the defendant, having not emerged through the legitimate traditional selection process of Ogba kingdom.
Joined in the suit as defendants are the governor of Rivers state; state ministry of chieftaincy; Nigerian Agip oil company among others.
However, the notice of writ of summon which was filed by the Umuokoya kindred of Umuebe family in Omoku Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area, issued by Omoku Division of state high court, has been served on the son of the late Oba of Ogbaland and other defendants.
In introducing the Oba of Ogbaland to Governor Wike, the Prime Minister of Ogbaland, Chief Louis Ajie said they consulted widely and found a trustworthy, honest man with impeccable character as their Oba.
Expressing the gratitude of the Ogba people, the Oba of Ogbaland, Nwachukwu Nnam- Obi III thanked Governor Wike for the pronouncement to recognise him on the throne.
The Oba also acknowledged and thanked Governor Wike for the various development projects executed in Ogbaland and restoration of peace particularly in Omoku.
“We want to thank you for the peace we enjoy in our area. We will recall that a while ago it was turbulent, it was difficult for people to lie down and sleep. But today, peace has returned and the very essence of the place has returned. We are not unmindful of the effort you made, the architecture you put in place. Indeed, we don’t know how to say thank you properly.”
