Seven months after the gruesome murder of the traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Highness, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III by suspected herdsmen, his son, Noah Chukwuka Akaeze I, will be crowned on September 5, 2016 to ascend the throne of his fathers.
The ceremony which holds at the royal palace, Ubulu-Uku will be presided over by the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, who will present the Staff of Office to the new king, according to a letter from Government House, Asaba. This followed the conclusion of traditional and official processes for the crowning of His Highness, Obi Akaeze I who is 18 years.
The Delta State government had earlier issued a letter of formal recognition to the new king on the recommendation of Ubulu-Uku Council of Chiefs, the Council of Traditional Rulers of Aniocha South Local Government Area and the Chairman of the Local Government Area.
According to a press statement issued by the secretary to the Ubulu-Uku Royal Palace and Obi-in-Council, Barrister Joe Obazei, the official coronation of Obi Akaeze I was delayed due to the dastardly manner of the passage of Obi Ofulue III after his kidnap. He stated that the anxiety and tension created by the murder having died down, it is time for Ubulu-Uku to move on.
It promises to be a carnival atmosphere as all the sons and daughters of Ubulu-Uku at home and in the diaspora are expected at the September 5 ceremony. He called on indigenes of the kingdom in Nigeria and the diaspora to see the September 5 coronation as a home-coming and rally round the new king.
Chief Obazei thanked all Ubulu-Uku chiefs, sons and daughters for presenting a unified front in those trying times occasioned by Obi Ofulue III’s abduction and death. He also thanked all well-wishers who showed concern during that dreadful period that actually tried Ubulu-Uku’s soul. He extended an invitation to such people of goodwill to be part of the dawn of a new era in the kingdom.
“You mourned with us in our trying times, please come felicitate with us in our joyous time,” Chief Obazei stated. He also thanked Governor Okowa, for his unfailing support to Ubulu-Uku Kingdom since the report of the kidnapping of the late Obi.
Chief Obazei stated that while the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom are moving on after losing their king, the Police and other security agencies still have a duty of giving justice to the people by prosecuting the persons associated with the kidnap and murder of their late king.
