…Stool Upgraded To Second Class
It was all celebrations and exchange of banters Saturday, April 3, 2021 in Bille Kingdom, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State as the final stage of the coronation of His Majesty, Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius Herbert, Agbaniye-Jike XVIII, Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom came to a successful happy end.
The historic event was made after about 12 years of the death of the last Amanyanabo, His Royal Highness, Justus Henry Igolima Dappa, Agbani-Jike XVII, who reigned for 30 years, died on Easter Sunday in 2009, leaving the stool vacant.
Sequel to his demise, Bille Kingdom began a determined search for who the mantle of kingship of Bille would suitably fall on. That epic search got to the climax at 12noon on the 12th day of December, the 12th month of the year 2020, as His Majesty, King Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius Herbert became the Amanyanabo of Bille, Agbaniye Jike XVIII.
The Chairman of the occasion, HRM, Edmund Daukoru said the people owe a special gratitude to the Almighty for making the event possible, wishing the new king long and prosperous years of service.
He described the new king as a man who has distinguished himself in all spheres of life, having done well as a person and for the kingdom at large.
The Rivers State governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike commended the people of Bille Kingdom and urged every community in the state to learn from the Bille style to ensure that transition and installation is seamless.
The governor who was represented by Hon. Austin Opara frowned on the idea of endless litigations in court for situation like this.
The governor also used the medium to upgrade the ancient stool of Bille Kingdom from third class to Second Class.
In His response, the new king described the coronation as a call to serve the good and peace loving people of Bille Kingdom.
He pledged to discharge the duties of his office faithfully, zealously, conscientiously and to the best of his ability.
His words: I promise to be a humble servant of Bille Kingdom. My reign and rule shall be noted for maintaining the territorial integrity of Bille Kingdom, creating a conducive environment for the individual and collective pursuit of happiness, as well as fostering peace, enlightenment and freedom that will culminate in sustainable development and due regard to the religious plurality of our contemporary society.
The Monarch pleaded with the state and local governments, corporate bodies to partner with him so as to build a great Bille Kingdom, through participatory implementation of the Bille kingdom Needs Assessment Document, “Bille Kingdom Vision 2040”.
Dignitaries from all walks of life were in Bille to grace the occasion.
