It was a carnival of festivities in Bonny Island as the Captain Hart Group of Houses celebrated its Chief and Head, Se-Alabo Reginald Fiene Peter Abbey-Hart, MON, JP, Adango XIII on his 80th birthday and 30th anniversary as chief of the house. 

An apparently elated Chief Captain Hart took the opportunity of the celebration to reel out the twists and turns of his sojourn in life, attributing his innumerable successes in diverse endeavours to divine grace.

The celebrant spoke at the Women’s Hall, Bonny, venue of a grand reception in his honour with his fellow traditional rulers, politicians, captains of industry, technocrats from all walks of life, community leaders, members of the Captain Hart House, friends and well-wishers in attendance.

Captain Hart, who was a former head of several investment and merchant banks, said he was dedicating his remaining days on earth to the service of humanity, especially, the upliftment of the youths, urging the youths to “make haste slowly,” noting that his successes did not happen suddenly.

He had on Friday, February 10, 2023 led his myriad guests to the St. Michael’s Christ Army Church Cathedral, Bonny for a Dedication Service.

In his sermon, His Lordship, the Arch Bishop of Rivers Province 1, Bonny Diocese, Most Rev. Dappa Opubo Abbey, JP congratulated the celebrant on his lifetime milestones, urging him to do more for humanity.

The revered cleric also cautioned those who perceive life to be an entitlement and make attempts at self-vaunting to reconsider their ways, pointing out that life and its blessings is divine grace in play.

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Adango XIII also led his entourage, now joined by his alma mater from Methodist College, Uzuakoli, Abia State, to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny for a Thanksgiving Service to express gratitude to God Almighty to whom he attributed his avalanche of successes in life.

Delivering a homily, Sub Dean of the Cathedral, Venerable Amarvey Abbey-Kalio eulogized the seasoned banker par excellence, calling out his sterling qualities and enjoining him, as well as everyone else, to focus on living according to divine precepts and being beneficial to humanity.

A cultural dimension to the celebration saw performances of the Oporo Owu (prawn), Ogbolilo (ostrich) and Onwiaru (steamship) masquerades by the Ibaniwari International Owuogbo, Hart House Owuogbo, and Iwoama Ogbokoroama, respectively, at Ikuba Nungo (Square) in Bonny. 

Some of the guests, who spoke to Kristina Reports on the sidelines of the celebration, felicitated with the revered traditional ruler, acknowledging his simplicity, accessibility, affability and prudence in dealing with issues even as he revels in a sea of successes in every field of endeavour into which he had made forays.

The Chiefs and Heads of the Fubara Manilla Pepple and Attoni Houses, Se-Alapu Waripanye Pepple, Fubara XV, and Abel Attoni, Spokesman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Boma Renner Dappa, President of the Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, Amaopusenibo Furosia Wilcox, and Bonny Kingdom Woman Leader, Amaopuorubo Helen Jack-Wilson Pepple, all poured encomiums on Se-Alabo Abbey-Hart.

Also speaking, the Leader of delegation of the Methodist College Old Boys Association, Professor Paul Uchenna, son of the celebrant, Datubo Abbey-Hart, Governor of Hart House Youth Association, Stanley Hart, lauded the octogenarian on the feats he has accomplished in life.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Bonny Chiefs Council, Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox and Vice Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Amaopusenibo Israel Williams, and President of the Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, Amaopusenibo Furosia Wilcox extolled the amazing qualities and invaluable contributions of the celebrant to the unity, peace and progress of Bonny Kingdom.

Highlights of the event were the cutting of the birthday cakes, presentation of cards and portraits of the celebrant by the Methodist College Old Boys Association, Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, and Council of Wariseniapu of Hart House, special rendition by the Bonny Kingdom Chorale and St. Stephen’s Cathedral Choir, presentation of awards to members of the Captain Hart Group of Houses, and live performances by the Abara Cultural Dance Troupe and Minanimi Bluffing Society.