Demebide calls for peace in ancient Ngbilebiri kingdom in Delta
By Anthony Demebide
Ngbilebiri-Mein Kingdom is one of the most recognised kingdoms in Ijaw nation for her socio- cultural and socio-historical artifacts. The kingdom founded in the early 1475 AD has been relatively peaceful since her existence decades ago.
In terms of landscape and population, Ngbilebiri-Mein is one of the most populated as it comprises big autonomous communities such as Kiagbodo(the traditional headquarters), Ayakoromo, Bigborogha, and Oyangbene. There are several villages and hamlets that also make up the kingdom.
The kingdom also has in records kings that were traditionally enthroned as they include Ngbile, Ogbonikiri, Ogbein, Bigborogha, Ogiogio, Kaka, Osieta, Dode, Ogbeingbene, and the recently Pere Bigborogha 11(dead).
But the recent royal fracas ensued by the demise of Pere Bigborogha 11 has thrown all sundry into pessimism of the kingdom ever having another traditional leadership. Purportedly, I have done some fact-finding and I have come openly to condemn the throwing of stones at each other, the allegations and the counter-allegations thereby instigating the pandemonium that has enshrined the kingdom since the death of Pere Bigborogha 11.
It’s almost three years now since the Pere Bigborogha 11 transitioned to his ancestral land and the kingdom is yet to perform befitting rites of passage, and corronate a new king as it’s necessary to take over the ancestral throne of leadership. This fiasco dressed in disguise of disunity and disgruntleness among the royal family and Chiefs-in-Council.
The Ngbilebiri-Mein kingdom cannot be imprisoned by these issues that can be resolved with intent of oneness of heart and peace.
The kingdom has been an exemplary kingdom and has been pace setters for other kingdoms in Ijaw land. I therefore decry the misunderstanding that is defiling our traditional track records, allowing ourselves to be derailed by some corrupt brains and faces behind the camera to jeopardise the ever peaceful regnum.
I respectfully want to crave the indulgence of Chief E. K. Clark, the “Bebeare-owei of Ngbilebiri-Mein kingdom, Chief Andrew Sigana Akpasele, the Regent of Ngbilebiri-Mein kingdom, and other Chiefs-in-Council, also by extension the royal family inclusive of Prince Christopher Perekeme, Princess Vera, and other members of the royal family to always prioritize the existence of peace and unity, and never give smoother the infiltration of every bad influence within and outside the kingdom so that our deceased king who slept in the Lord on August 16th 2017 shall peacefully rest.
I know for sure that names quoted or not, they all mean well for the kingdom to grow that ancestral love that bonds us together. I beseech Chief (Senator) E. K. Clark, Chiefs-in-Council, and the loyal household to synergize all efforts together in pursuance of the right thing to be done.
The spite is becoming worrisome, it’s better to maintain our integrity as a people than to allow the uncultured reasoning to thwart the kingdom’s traditional respect. Paralyse your swords and let’s face what is laid before us a people bonded in ancestral love.
