By Emmanuel Nduka
Encomiums have continued to pour in for King Christian Otobotekere, the Amananaowei of Tombia community in the Ekpetiama Kingdom of Bayelsa State, as he clocked 97 years.
Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and other captains of industry are among those who have extolled the virtues of the Traditional Ruler.
Speaking at the event held over the weekend on Saturday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Jonathan eulogised Otobotekere who is one of Nigeria’s longest-serving monarchs.
The former President described the royal father, who ascended the throne in 1975, as a man of many parts that deserved to be celebrated.
Jonathan who was represented by the Obanobhan of Olei (Oloibiri Kingdom) in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, King Amalate Turner, said Otobotekere is an Ijaw icon and role model that the state and the entire Ijaw nation owe a debt of gratitude.
He applauded the monarch for a fruitful time on the throne, which he said he utilised to promote social justice and the well-being of his people.
“His Royal Majesty is a man of many parts, who has excelled in life and gives us reason to celebrate. He is a gift to the state and Ijaw nation at large and we owe him a debt of gratitude.
“I appreciate the government and other family members who put this event together. Our father is indeed a good father and a role model to many.
“As a monarch, he has ruled with truth and grace and has continued to promote social justice. I am happy that we gathered to celebrate a living legend, a success story with traits our children should emulate,” Jonathan said.
On his part, Governor Diri expressed delight that the monarch was being celebrated while alive, just as he stressed the need for Bayelsans and humanity at large not to wait until death to celebrate the achievements of humans.
While paying tributes to the Tombia monarch, he urged families to review their values so as to raise responsible children like the royal father in order for the state and society at large to be a better place to live in.
“I am truly elated that we are not celebrating this man at his death. Today, the Otobotekere family decided to celebrate their father while he is alive. Let this be a turning point.
“For us as a government, we have been preaching love and unity and this celebration exemplifies that.
“It had not been all rosy for our father and mentor. At a point, he was kidnapped. If he had died, we will not be herecelebrating.
“I call on families to review their value system. Parents must bring back the kind of values we are celebrating today. I am sure that if we reflect we will all go back to the good old days.
“His Highness is a man of many parts. I invite all of us that even in politics, let us not play politics of bitterness,” Diri said.
In his own remarks, the Minister for Water Resources thanked God for keeping the monarch up to 97 years and for giving him a purposeful life.
He said having worked with his daughter, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, as Permanent Secretary of his ministry, he had no doubt that the king inculcated the right values in his children.
He added that the monarch had built a name for himself and urged his children to protect the legacy, stressing that it was the best gift they can give to him.
