Canon shots, sounds of victory (Okoko) took over the air space while still basking in the euphoria of an Appeal Court ruling adjudged to be a millennium judgment that would enthrone likely ancient and lasting peace as the people of Ataba Kingdom in the Andoni Local Government Area, gathered in their numbers in jubilation over the landmark ruling of the Appeal Court recognizing HRM King Benson Mgbo-Owaji Hebron Egwenre-Oruk (XVII) as the legitimate paramount ruler (OKAN-AMA) of Ataba Kingdom, in a chieftaincy tussle that rocked the community for about 28 years of obvious unrest and divisions.
The event was a Royal Special Thanksgiving Service held on Wednesday 3rd February, 2016 at the St. James’ Anglican Church Ataba Parish as well as an affirmation message to the people at home aimed at ceasing their doubts over the matter.
In his summary speech at the church to mark the day and reason for hosting the short service, HRM King Benson Mgbo-Owaji Hebron Egwenre-Oruk (XVII), Okan-Ama Ataba, had said that they were in the church to specially thank and honour God for enthroning a lasting peace in Ataba Kingdom over chieftaincy tussle that rocked the kingdom, denied her of every good thing and loss of lives for the past 28 years.
According to the Paramount ruler “there is always traditional process for the selection and installation of a paramount ruler (Okan-Ama) particularly in Ataba. And following the demand by the people of Ataba and call on the royal houses to present a paramount ruler, then the royal houses began their search on a possible candidate which by the grace of God favoured me, so I was presented to the people on 2nd January, 1989”. And on 22nd January, 1989 I was installed the paramount ruler (Okan-Ama).
“After my installation, some aggrieved persons, however instituted court cases against me, which of-course greeted the kingdom with series of troubles. Yet within the period, God never abandoned us but He whipped us with unprecedented punishment. “But the people of Ataba went on their knees for submission unto God and He heard our prayers. However, reason for the communal crisis rocking Ataba has been tussle over the paramount stool. In January 2013 a judgment was delivered against me by the state High Court, but not satisfied with the High Court judgment, we approached the Appeal Court for further trial and interpretation of the high court ruling.
“Meanwhile, as the appeal court proceeds with her work, we, the appellants and claimants decided to tell ourselves the truth for the enthronement of peace in the Kingdom.
“Hence, having seen the truth and need to allow peace to reign and settled ourselves in the terms of agreement we adopted, the Appeal Court relied on it and in her ruling pronounced me the legitimate Okan-Ama Ataba on 29th October, 2015”, HRM B.M.H Egwenre-Oruk (XVII) narrated.
The physically elated paramount ruler who recognized the hand of God Almighty in the affairs of Ataba has called on the entire Ataba people to see the judgment as an act of God and wishes of the people, to bring back the loss glory of Ataba, asserting that Ataba has bounce back to her original status.
King Egwenre-Oruk (XVII) further advised all to consider each other as oneself and brother’s keeper and forget the past, adding that while it is possible that some may have grievances over the decision of the Appellate Court, such should consider the return of Ataba to its original status where every one speaks with a voice. King Egwenre-Oruk (XVII) however, pleaded with all who may have harbour grudges against each other to forgive for God to continually lead the kingdom.
At the sideline of the reception, a youth leader and member of the royal houses Comrade Stephen Fortunatus told The Newswriter correspondent that the day was historic in the annals of Ataba as the people celebrate the emergence of the Okan-Ama of Ataba in the person of HRM, King Benson Mgbo-Owaji Hebron Egwenre-Oruk (XVII) saying with the subsisting judgment, no individual could by any means lay claims to the paramount stool of Ataba until the incumbent passes on.
On his position on the appeal court ruling, comrade Fortunatus expressed happiness, adding that it is the will of God who does not accept injustice against the less privileged.
Speaking on the issue of the immediate past occupant of the stool, Comrade Fortunatus averred that the former occupant of the stool was HRM, King Isaac Ira-Owaji Oruk (XVI) who for obvious reason abdicated his position and expressed optimism that with the court ruling Ataba kingdom would experience peace, stability and development.
The general thanksgiving service to appreciate God’s handiwork in Ataba, according to the paramount ruler is slated for Sunday 21st February, 2016 at St. James’ Anglican Church, Ataba, and by this, all are invited to attend.
James Mgboineme
