When a king marks his coronation anniversary, it is also a celebration for his council of chiefs, the official royal members that are allotted various traditional offices to help ease the administration of the territory of the king. And for the Ogulagha Kingdom Traditional Council of Chiefs, the 12th day in November 2023 was a historic day of honour as it marked the 18th reign of their revered paramount ruler, the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt. King Dr. Joseph Ijawperebo Timiyan (JP), Torububou 1, Agbonu.

By 12 noon, the members of the Ogulagha Traditional Council of Chiefs, dressed in white regal attires which is their native fashion outfit, trooped en masse to the palace of their revered paramount ruler and the Ebenanaowei of the kingdom in Obotobo 1 community to officially begin the 18th coronation anniversary celebration. Notably among the chiefs were the Ogulagha Clan Women, the Ogulagha Urban Women also known as Agbonu Women, some youths of the kingdom and other guests, especially as Ogulagha Kingdom is known to play hosts to people from all over the world.

Not long after their arrival in the palace, the trumpet sounded, a signal that the Ebenanaowei is about to make his royal entry. And as is the custom, in reverence to the king, every one stood up on hearing the trumpet call and stayed still as a rock while a deafening silence befell the confines of the palace, save for the sound of the trumpet.

With a towering figure that casts a huge shadow of royalty on all present, the Ebenanaowei, dressed in velvet robe attire with a beaded crown on his head and beads that adorned his neck and hands, took gentle steps forward to the royal stool of power and authority, and then sat down comfortably on it. What followed next was his subjects, with knees on the golden floor, paid obeisance to their monarch of 18 years.

With an opening prayer by the Bolouwei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Chief William Igere, the 18th Anniversary began proper as gifts (consisting of fish, drinks, wines, water, cash among others) were presented to the Ebenanaowei in the spirit of joy and in the expression of their love for Agbonu, by the Ogulagha Clan women, Ogulagha Urban women, Ogulagha Divers Association among several others. The presentation was capped by the male chiefs in the traditional council with a handsome donation to their king.

His Majesty, who earlier corrected some oversights from his chiefs, commended the efforts of his subjects for living up to their duties in putting together the 18th celebration of his coronation. He praised both the Ogulagha clan and urban women for always living up to expectations every year of the celebration despite the economic downturn experienced all over the country.

Agbonu, while affirming his authority over the kingdom as the Ebenanaowei, offered his subjects prayers of blessings and protection from the Almighty God. He also informed all in attendance to join other guests outdoors where canopies were stationed for the height of the celebration, offering prayers, which according to His Majesty is the most important of the activities planned for the celebration.

His Majesty then proceeded to the cake stand where the 18th coronation cake in white and red colours was stationed. With the spelling of J-E-S-U-S by the Master of Ceremony, Comrade Jackson Timiyan, the cake was cut by the Ebenanaowei who was surrounded by his subjects.

"His Royal Majesty, the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom is a father among fathers," said Chief (Mrs.) Patience Temewei, leader of the Ogulagha Clan Women. "It is our prayers that he will continue to live long and celebrate this day with joy," she prayed.

For the Ogulagha Urban woman leader, Chief (Mrs.) Ebikebina Benidiwei (JP), she said, "We, the Agbonu Women, are proud of our Royal Majesty. He is indeed like no other and we are here to add to his happiness on this unique day," she added.

Chief Igere, the Bolouwei of Ogulagha Kingdom, in his prayers prayed to the Almighty God to continually preserve the Ebenanaowei as well as his subjects over evil and that the king will continue to reign in good health and lead in the fear of God for the prosperity of the kingdom

Another high ranking chief and the Public Relations Officer in the traditional council, Chief Prefugha Karawei (JP), said, "Agbonu is a king beyond mere description as his generosity and love for his subjects is second to none. As we gather together to celebrate with our father, by the special grace of God and in His mercies, this gathering will continue to swell and Ogulagha Kingdom will witness great things in Jesus name," he prayed.

A younger brother to His Majesty, Chief George Timiyan (JP) said the Timiyan Family are proud of the Ebenanaowei whose reign has "brought tremendous peace and progress to Ogulagha people and even beyond" and congratulated as well as prayed that Agbonu's reign will continue to usher in more blessings on the people.

Meanwhile, admirers of the paramount ruler, who is also the chairman of the Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, had sent various congratulations and goodwill messages in both the broadcast medium and on social media to celebrate the 18th Coronation Anniversary. PENGlobal also published numerous of these congratulatory messages even from Deltans that are not from the Ogulagha Kingdom.

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