For the people of the great Ogulagha Kingdom in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, two annual events present an opportunity for them to express their profound love for their revered king, the Ebenanaowei of the kingdom—his birth anniversary, and his coronation anniversary.

The date, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, presents yet again one of those rare occasions as subjects and their invited guests swarmed to Obotobo 1 Community where the royal residence and palace of His Majesty, Elder Capt. King Joseph Ijawperebo Timiyan PhD (JP), Agbonu, Torububou 1, is situated in the kingdom. They had all come to celebrate with their king his reign of 19 years!

As expected, the day was marked with fanfare and festivities. But among the series of activities witnessed in the course of the celebration, one ritual stands out—the presentation of gifts by subjects of the king in demonstration of their loyalty and expression of their love.

But the giving of gifts is beyond just part of marking the celebration of His Majesty's coronation; it carries with it a symbolism of appreciation and obedience, acts that attract more blessings from the Almighty God.

As the one that sits on the throne, the Ebenanaowei is a godly symbol of leadership, whose reign is made possible by the Almighty God who has placed His Majesty as custodian of the kingdom (the Ebenanaowei). As Jesus once proclaimed, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), so too the Ebenanaowei as a king seats on the throne by ordination of the Creator, acting as his representative among the people and wielding power from above.

Thus, bringing His Majesty gifts is a demonstration of recognising the place of God as the owner of everything in the kingdom and returning the honour to Him. Before the advent of kings, men brought gifts to God directly as portrayed in the story of Cain and Abel. But the sinful nature of men necessitated the Holy God to bridge the gap by appointing priests and prophets to act on His behalf.

The Ebenanaowei as one of the priestly instrument of the Creator can thus pronounce blessings as well as curse! To draw from such rare blessings, the people of Ogulagha Kingdom therefore bank in on the coronation to tap into the well of blessings as they try to outdo one another by bringing in a befitting gift to His Majesty.

For the most part, to ease the conveyance of foodstuff and other perishable items, cash is brought as a replacement. Yet, there are those who presents smoked and fresh fishes, drinks, wines, kola nuts, cloths, among several other items. The presentation of award which is another form of a gift is also not ruled out.

Subjects group themselves by communities, associations, and even trade (businesses) as they come one after the other to offer their gifts to His Majesty who sits on the royal elevated stool above all others, including his subjects, as he looks down from the throne to the unfolding activities below.

Then arrives the crucial part of the ceremony, the offer of prayers by the Ebenanaowei while seated on the royal throne on his subjects, as His Majesty rains down prayers of blessings upon those that have demonstrated obedience by their gifts, praying for increase, protection, fruitfulness, peace, favour, and celebrations, but not also forgetting to lay curses on the enemies of the kingdom.

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." — Isaiah Chapter 1:19,20 KJV.

NOTE: This report is brought to you courtesy of Double Chief George Timiyan JP, the Mein Ibe-Disemowei of Ogulagha Kingdom.

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