Day traditional rulers, lawyers spiced up religious coronation in Calabar
It is very unusual for high ranking traditional rulers and members of the bar and bench to come together in an official manner to join in public festivities, displaying their paraphernalia and royalty.
This was what happened few days ago in Calabar when a renowned religious leader, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu celebrated the 18th coronation of his investiture as the spiritual head and king of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star. The event was organised by its College of Bishops.
The traditional rulers and queens came from all over Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta region as well as a large delegation from neighbouring Republic of Ghana led by a foremost monarch, called Nii Boi Djor 1, Gbawe Odorkor Mantse. The monarchs, more than 60, all dressed in their regalia, carrying assorted traditional gifts which they presented to the spiritual leader whom they said has profound regards for the traditional institution.
The bar and bench was led by a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, Justice Fred Oho. Others were another justice of Akwa Ibom State High Court, Justice Archibong E. Archibong as well as the Chief Registrar of the Akwa Ibom State judiciary, Edet Obot. Lawyers.
The traditional rulers team was led by the president of the International Traditional Rulers Fellowship, an amalgamation of mostly Christian monarchs both in Nigeria and elsewhere, octogenarian HRM E. N. B. Opurum who is the Ichie of Etched kingdom
of Rivers State.
From Cross River State came the Obol Lopon of Ugep and paramount ruler of Yakurr LGA, Obol Eteng Ubana. Chiefs from Biakpan, the birthplace of the spiritual leader, came with traditional dance group, invoking ancient practises in the deep of the celebration, proclaiming how lucky to have a son such as Olumba born from their stock.
Traditional plays such The Efik Heritage Group, from Erik kingdom led by no less a personality, a Bishop, Mesembe Etim performed and their bevy of lady dancers dexterously danced to traditional beatings and sounds to the admiration of guests, invitees and adherents of Olumba.
Speaking, the leader of the Ghanaian delegation, Nii Boi Djor 1 Gbawe Odorkor Mantse, who incidentally is the landlord of where Olumba has his headquarters in Accra, Ghana, said, “We are happy to come to Calabar, Nigeria to honour the spiritual leader of Brotherhood because of what his organisation is doing in my country. I am the landlord of the headquarters of Brotherhood in Ghana. I came to reciprocate his visits and efforts at enhancing fortunes of my people.”
Also speaking, the Obol Lopon of Ugep,as well as the Etchie of Echie said that Nigeria was blessed to have a religious leader that works behind the scene to promote unity amongst traditional rulers, settle communal disputes and preach love and truth.
Justice Oho commended Leader Olumba Obu for preaching love and forgiveness inspite of extreme provocations and for galvanising different ethnic groups in the country and foreigners who flock into his spiritual organization.
He said it was important for them to identify with the religious leader’s coronation ceremony because he has singlehandedly and silently impacted Nigeria’s economy, created many jobs and pulled thousands of foreigners into the country.