Since the death and subsequent burial of the former Chief and Head of Banigo Major House, Chief, Dr. Owen Gogo Banigo, the position has remained vacant at the Bonny Chiefs council.
Sequel to this the Acting chairman of Banigo Major House, Warisenibo (Hon.) H. T. Igorin called for a general meeting on September 15, 2012, at the Banigo’s House Opuwari, Bonny presenting the nomination of Amasenibo Dagogo Ibaningo for ratification.
The chairman, Hon Igoni announced the process the council took to select the candidature of Amasenibo Dagogo Ibaningo as the chief elect of Banigo Major House, Bonny, saying that in a meeting on 25th June, 2011 at the House’s Opuwari, Bonny, only two aspirants contested for the Banigo Major House Stool.
He noted that the ratification came after the review of the House constitution, which the general House at the meeting of 15th September, 2012 unanimously ratified the nomination of Amasenibo Dagogo Ibaningo as the Chief elect of Banigo Major House, Bonny.
The chairman stated that Ibaningo is the only qualified candidate among the two aspirants, saying that by this ratification, Amasenibo Dagogo Ibaningo with effect from 15th September, 2012, shall be known and called the chief elect of Banigo Major House of Grand Bonny, who at the appropriate time shall be installed and presented to the Amanyanabo-In-Council for proper recognition.
This publication also gathered that the aspirants were Amasenibo Dagogo Ibaningo and Amaopusenibo Jonathan T. Banigo who were duly nominated in the meeting of 25th June, 2011 at the Banigo Major House, Opuwari, Bonny. The elders’ council constituted a screening committee headed by Amaopusenibo Edward J. Banigo that is incharge of culture, tradition and constitution which reviewed the constitution of Banigo Major House, in 2009, and provided as regards to the House constitution of 2009 that Dagogo Ibaningo was qualified as stated in section B(2), A-H.
And that Amaopusenibo Jonathan T. Banigo who qualified as stated I section B(2), A, C, D, F and G. was disqualified as stated in section B(2) B, E, and H. That he is above 60 years age, not married and not generally acceptable.
It was also learnt that based on the above results, the elders council declared Amasenibo Dagogo Ibaningo as the qualified candidate and therefore recommend him for ratification as the chief elect of Banigo Major House, Bonny.
In his capacity, the Acting Chairman of Banigo Major House, Bonny. Warisenibo (Hon.) H.T. Igoni formally presented Amasenibo Dagogo Ibanibo for recognition as the only qualified candidate among the aspirants that with effective from the date of 15th September, 2012 he is the chief elect of Banigo’s House, based on his ratification.
In his speech, the youth leader, Mr. Isaac Banigo lauded the elders council for their prolific efforts in putting the House constitution as a working document. He charged the chief elect to live up to expectation.
Our reporter gathered that letters on the above ratifications have been communicated to Bonny Council of Chiefs for their notice and recognition of Amasenibo Dagogo Ibanigo as chief elect of Banigo major House.
In his acceptance speech, the chief elect commended the elders council, principal members and the entire Banigo’s House for the confidence reposed in him. #
Christopher Daniel Hart
