Governor Fubara Urges Opobi Royal Family to Avoid Inheritance Disputes
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has strongly advised the children of the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, the Amanyanabo of Opobo, to resist the temptation of engaging in conflicts over the assets left behind by their father. He emphasized that such disputes would inevitably lead to chaos and anarchy within the family. The governor delivered this counsel while paying tribute to the deceased monarch during the funeral church service held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers State.
Call for Unity and Personal Success
Governor Fubara urged members of the royal family to focus on achieving their own personal successes and preserving the peace and unity of the family, rather than wasting energy on inheritance battles. He argued that fighting over inheritance is unnecessary, as it only creates division while the assets themselves depreciate in value over time. "What you inherit are assets. You don’t inherit success. You have to work for your own success. So if you have that in mind, I don’t think there will be any crisis in the family," he stated. He added that the late king, known for his peaceful nature, would be deeply sorrowful to see his family in disarray over such matters.
Tribute to a Peaceful Monarch
Fubara described the late monarch as a man of class and dignity who enjoyed a peaceful and successful reign. According to the governor, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, who passed away at the age of 83, led the Opobo Kingdom to great heights. He noted that, aside from the legendary King Jaja and other founding chiefs, this monarch made significant achievements that brought the kingdom into the limelight. During his reign, the kingdom produced a Deputy Governor and a Governor, making his transition a cause for celebration rather than mourning.
"Today is not a day of mourning. By the special grace of God, our late King attained the most important biological age, according to the Bible, which is 70. And because of his deeds, his gentleness and peacefulness, God added another thirteen years to make it 83," Fubara remarked. He encouraged the family to celebrate the king’s life with peace and a sense of fulfilment, viewing him as someone who has completed his race, leaving others to continue his legacy.
Advice for the Amanyanabo-elect
The governor also charged the Amanyanabo-elect to be prepared to chart a new course for the kingdom through wisdom and pragmatism. He advised against merely trying to fill the big shoes left by his predecessor, urging instead a focus on innovative leadership that builds on the foundation laid by the late king.
Sermon on Life’s Transience
In a sermon delivered at the funeral service, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko Jaja, reflected on the transient nature of life. He enjoined the congregation to avoid pride and the primitive acquisition of wealth, noting that such pursuits become vanities at the end of life. Drawing from Revelation 21:1-7, the cleric reminded attendees that ultimate authority rests with God, whom he described as the "water of life" for all who seek Him. He encouraged mourners to live with an eternal perspective, emphasizing that only those who accept Jesus Christ have the assurance of a new heaven and the promise of everlasting life.
