The 27th day in August 2024 marked the special occasion of the sixth coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Pere (Capt.) Frank Fieke Gabriel Okiakpe, Egbesuwei Gbanraun X, Agadagba of Gbanraun Clan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. But the celebration was also a reminder to the natives of the clan of the struggle to become independent as a people with a "distinct origin".

This important aspect of self-governance as instituted by traditional headship, classified as Pere, to whom the people subject to, was highlighted in the welcome address delivered on behalf of the Gbanraun Clan by the Ibe-Fungewei, High Chief Ebikeseye Bipeledei, during the coronation anniversary at Egbesubiri.

Below are some of the major points to be noted as highlighted in the address by the High Chief as the sixth coronation kicked off with traditional activities in line with the beliefs of the people of the Gbanraun Clan.

1️⃣ GBANRAUN CLAN FORMERLY IN APOI CLAN

“The struggle for the recognition of Gbanraun Clan and classification of the stool of the PERE of Gbanraun dates back to decades, despite the abundance of cogent and verifiable historical facts to the effect that the Gbanraun people are of a distinct origin, they were lumped into Apoi Clan. The people of Apoi Clan are all descendants of Kalasuo except the Gbanraun communities that were lumped into Apoi clan with the Ibenanawei of Apoi Clan, KALASUO the X as our king. The real life picture this portend to Gbanraun people is likened to a situation where we were denied our paternity and a father chosen for us by a third party.”

2️⃣ THE ROLE OF INC IN AIDING JUSTICE

"However, the (INC) Ijaw National Congress under the leadership of Prof. Kimse Okoko amended the (INC) constitution and accorded recognition to Gbanraun Clan thereby making Gbanraun Clan one of the 25th (Twenty-Five clans) in the central zone.”

3️⃣ ENTER THE DR. GABRIEL OKARA COMMITTEE

“The Dr. Gabriel Okara committee on the classification of chieftaincy stool appreciated our plight and recommended the 3rd class chieftaincy stool of the Amanawei of Gbanraun and 2nd class chieftaincy stool for the PERE and Agadagba of Gbanraun clan,. But unfortunately, during the formal presentation of the Staff of Office, the instrument of Appointment/staff of office for the clan were not presented by the then military government without any explanation in 1998."

4️⃣ CONTROVERSY AND THE APPOINTED TIME

"The people of Gbanraun coronated PERE M.E.A. Bipeledei as the Pere and Agadagba of Gbanraun Clan, but this absurdity continued all through his tenure. He fought relentlessly for the classification of the PERE and Agadagba stool, but according to the Biblical allusion in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 vs 1, ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heavens'."

5️⃣ MAKING SUCCESSFUL IN-ROADS

"The ordained time came on Saturday, the 13th day of March 2021, where (sic) the presentation of instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office was granted to his successor, Egebsuwei Gbanraun X. I believe the Late Pere M.E.A Bipeledei shall have solace in the land of his ancestors for his dream for his people has come to pass.”

6️⃣ 1ST CLASS STATUS A REALITY

"However, the Almighty God heard the cry of the Gbanraun people and used a former leader of Ijaw National Congress (INC), a fearless defender of truth and justice, a courageous and devoted leader, a very brilliant and witty person, a man of robust heart with tremendous Izon humanism, a leader with profound knowledge, grasp and appreciation of history, the OFIRIMA PEPE of Bayelsa State, a politician and a master tactician, a statesman with abiding faith in the unity and progress of the Izon people, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, to setup the Chieftaincy Review committee and subsequence recognized the Gbanraun Clan and accorded the revered PERE stool the status of a 1st Class Traditional Ruler."

7️⃣ THE ROLE OF GOVERNOR DIRI

"Permit me to seize this rare privilege to appreciate the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, for his rare show of love and humility by delegating his then and now current Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, as Governor representative in presenting the Staff of Office to our dear king in the epoch/historic event. This quality of humility glaringly displayed by the miracle governor, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri endeared him into the hearts of all and sundry and shall mark him out for continuous blessing both by the Almighty God and the gods of Ijaw land.”

8️⃣ THE EGBESUWEI GBANRAUN X

"It is for this reason we are gathered today in this epoch making event to commemorate the 6th year coronation anniversary of our PERE—a silent achiever and motivator, a person of manifest devotion to family and friends, a man who skillfully combines his dream and vision with realism and pragmatism in the cause of history, a humble leader and the JACOB of our generation—His Royal Majesty, Pere F. F. Okiakpe – Egbesuwei, Gbanraun X, Pere and Agadagba of Gbanraun Clan.”

9️⃣ UNBROKEN RELATIONSHIP

“As we celebrate and make merry with our king today, let it be known that the people of Apoi Clan, Bassan Clan, Koluama Clan from antiquity till date are our good neighbours, and we want this symbiotic relationship of mutual understanding and co-operation to continue till eternity."

🔟 WAR AGAINST DRUGS AND A CALL FOR SUPPORT

"However, as our guest, we want to guide you that Gbanraun Clan under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, Egbesuwei Gbanraun the X, has zero tolerance for criminality. Thus smoking of marijuana, igbo, ice, cocaine, or any form of hard drugs or drinking of coskorine is highly prohibited in this kingdom. Please we crave your indulgence for your co-operation in this regard. It is on this note that I enjoin all subjects of the Pere and Agadagba of Gbanraun Clan to give him the necessary support so as to engender the expected positive transformation in the clan.”

View more photos of the coronation on PENGlobal Facebook page: 

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