A unique species I must say. But why were they here? All hurdled under one canopy with the inscription: AMAOPUERE! Nineteen of the twenty-one listed. Resplendent in that unique, pristine form of attire that bespeaks that dignity that stood the Ibani nation out in the comity of ethnic nationalities, they radiate the arena with feminine fragrance.
Some huge and heavy, others slim and lissome, but yet exuding the dignity characteristic of Ibaniere. A mixture of age and youth assuming a common ground as they converge under that canopy. The elders patting the shoulders of the younger and the younger exhibiting deference for the elders. But why, in a masculine-oriented society would these constitute a significant aspect of the coronation anniversary of the foremost of Niger Delta monarchs?
The fifty-first week of 2007 (17th through 24th December) was set aside for the tenth coronation anniversary of King Edward Asiminikarama William Dappa-Pepple III, Perekule XI, CON, JP, Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, and Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers. It was marked by pomp and pageantry. But most importantly, it marked the bringing to reality of the long overdue yearnings of the Bonny people, viz, the precarious need for social amenities in diverse parts of Bonny local government area. It became imperative, with the increase in the presence and business transaction of oil and gas multinationals in the area, that the kingdom witnessed the translation of their corporate social responsibilities into physical developmental realities.
Given this, the anniversary celebration became a threshold of actualizing most, if not all of the MOU projects agreed on between the community and the Joint Industry Companies (JIC). These included the construction of roads and bridges, electric power supply through gas turbine system, water supply, upgrade of medical and educational facilities, provision of micro-credit scheme for small-scale indigenous business people and scholarship for students in tertiary institutions and the maritime academy, Oron, employment generation, development of recreational facilities, nature park, et al.
One sad aspect of the epochal event was the laying to rest of the demised Prime Minister of the kingdom, Chief Donald Manilla-Pepple. With tremendous equanimity, the last respects were accorded the late chief by the King, Chiefs and people. And then the celebration began with its high point being the investiture of the Ibani National Awards on worthy citizens of the kingdom.
This particular Thursday was blessed by the bliss of sunshine. Guests began pouring into the arena – the legendary Ikuba Square – as early as 7.00AM. Soon two great monarchs were to grace the occasion with their majestic presence – the Obi of Onitsha and the Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, JP, Jeki V. Even the two Yoruba men saddled with the security of the LGA – Temi Omojola, CSP, of the Nigeria Police and his colleague of the SSS were on hand with their men to ensure a hitch-free ceremony. There were captains of industry, representatives of foreign governments, religious bodies, socio-cultural groups, the media, etc.
The roll call of citizens to be honoured under the current edition of the Ibani National Awards included 52 Amaopuseniapu (7 posthumously) and 38 Amaseniapu (1 posthumously). These were honourable gentlemen who have supposedly made their mark in their chosen endeavours – intellectually, professionally, business-wise, even in military service. They were to be conferred with the honour they deserve, but more than that they were to be saddled with the task of being co-trustees, co-sureties with the King and his chiefs of the welfare of the kingdom. They were to become co-custodians of the values, lores, norms, traditions, culture, and greatness of the ancient kingdom of Grand Bonny.
And so we converge at the agelong arena – Ikuba Square – that has come to represent for the Ibani nation what the Areopagus or Mars Hill symbolized for the Athenians. We come from all walks of life. We come from all over the world. We come with our friends, colleagues, neighbors, all.
We presently observe these particular set of individuals. They’re women and they’re here for real. They are listed to be honoured. Some then ask, why women? Risking the prospect of being tagged with gender bias or worse still a feminist; I attempt some explanation to their question.
These women have carved a niche for themselves in terrains, turfs monopolized by men. They have walked tall where even men with all their presence of mind have dreaded to tread. They have flown the flag of the Ibani nation in different arenas, even on the international stage. Check out the intimidating resumes they showcase: Okereke-Onyiuke was at the New York Stock Exchange as a director, presently, added to being the director-general of Nigerian Stock Exchange, she is Chairman of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp); Kurubo, wife of the first Nigerian indigenous Airforce general, was at the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation as director-general, she later served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago; Amal Pepple, an intellectual of repute who has served in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria is now a permanent secretary; Dames William-Jumbo and Willie-Pepple are successfully running their hotel businesses; Siene for years beautified our TV screens during her days at the Nigerian Television Authority. She is, presently, NLNG’s company-community anchor reducing, infact obliterating any form of friction between the company and her host/GTS communities. She even adds to that enormous responsibility the role of editor-in-chief of the NLNG media apparati; Ofili is in the Rivers State government as commissioner for women affairs and youth development making significant strides in upping the odds, bettering the lot and advancing the cause of Rivers women, her youth notwithstanding; Jamaica brought about the revolution that saved GGSS, Finima from moral decadence at a critical point of her existence when prostitution almost overtook the institution; she was there to help set up Community Secondary School, Bonny; Lucille Education Center is her brainchild and even the Bonny Historical Society has benefited immensely from her inexhaustible resourcefulness.
We can go on and on analyzing the credentials of these great women and discover the monumental strides they have made and how much they have contributed to the land of their nativity. They are all involved in the development and management of the human resource potentials Providence has placed within their spheres of influence and they are not doing badly. Added to their professional and business responsibilities, they successfully manage their homes.
These women represent womanhood in the Ibani nation and womanhood in general. They symbolize the struggles of Ibaniere to preserve moral values, intellectual excellence, business success, service to motherland and service to humanity as a whole. They represent the evolution of society from the backwaters of ignorance, underdevelopment, prejudice, and self-annihilation to the frontburners of modernity and all it represents.
Africa and Nigeria in particular maybe plagued by male-chauvinism. May be gender-based issues as it favours the feminine folk may be relegated to the background, even key political, religious and traditional positions, responsibilities and their accruing benefits maybe set aside for the masculine gender while the less relevant and inconsequential roles are outsourced to the women. But the African eye still takes cognizance of extra-ordinary achievements, especially such as emanates from the most unexpected of places.
That these women are spotted and included in the roll call of recipients of this year’s national awards speaks volumes not just of their achievement but also for the keen sightedness of the custodians of the awards – the King, his chiefs, the elders and people of Bonny kingdom. It is only an observant and conscientious parent who seeks out good deeds in his children to reward. And I must say that rewards don’t only say “Welldone!” they also say “Carry on!” “Keep it up!” It goes a long way to place the people of this ancient kingdom in the good stead as those who observe and reward service, excellence, nobility of character and all the other qualities that enhance the worth of a civilized society.
For these women to have, in their various ways, combined their strive for excellence with the agelong responsibilities of keeping family, raising kids, and other extraneous roles society has saddled them with and yet not complaining, but instead asking for more and more responsibilities stands them out as worthy ambassadors of this great kingdom.
Some are into politics, some into business, some teaching, some into other endeavours, but yet they are professional home makers and keepers, responsible wives, and a remarkable testament to the strength, courage and fortitude the spirit of the Bonny woman is imbued with. I can say for sure as for that which Shaggy refers to in his music as “The Strength of a Woman!” the Ibanierubo (Bonny woman) has so much of it. I know because I was raised by one of them. Yours sincerely joins the Ibani nation to applaud the pristine, courageous and resourceful femininity Ibanierubo symbolizes.
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