The ancient Kingdom of Grand Bonny in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State is historically legendary for several beautiful reasons. It was one of the first trading outposts between Africa and European traders and later the birthplace of Christianity South of Nigeria.

The verdant and gorgeous community showcases many firsts such as producing Nigeria’s first professional photographer, Jonathan Green, Nigeria’s first indigenous Chief of Air Staff, George Kurubo, and very recently, the pioneer Director General of Nigeria’s Stock Exchange, Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, among others in diverse fields of endeavour.  

It is currently trending in intellectual excellence having churned out three first class graduates in the last 365 days. From Western Nigeria to the Niger Delta, Bonny Kingdom’s erudite kids brought astounding glory home, all turning out in flying colours with stunning cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs).

Fortune Anidima now Jumbo grabbed a 4.67 CGPA in Geology from Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Boma Gogo Halliday hit a 4.60 CGPA in Educational Psychology from the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Jewel Bright Atedoghu snatched a 4.50 CGPA in Mass Communication from the Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Incidentally, Jewel Bright Atedoghu, born to Wari-Opusenibo John Adonye Bright of Ogbonanya Burusu of Ezekiel-Hart Chieftaincy House of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom, broke massive jinxes as the first ever First Class Graduate in Mass Communications Department in RSU, Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Management Science, and Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Social Science.

In recognition of his outstanding intellectual prowess, the lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Abinye Pepple engaged Jewel Bright Atedoghu, who was a former Speaker of the RSU Student Union Government (SUG), as his Special Assistant on Communications.

On her part, aside making first class, Fortune swept two major prizes viz the Professor Abiodun Ojo Prize for Best Graduating Student in College of Sciences and the Departmental Award for Best Graduating Student in the Department of Geology.

On his part, entrepreneur, blogger, and publisher of the biggest online magazine in Bonny LGA, Bonny Island Magazine, Boma Gogo Halliday, pioneered the first ever Bonny Island Marathon 2018, in collaboration with other ambitious young people which turned out a huge first and huge success.

Boma was recently received by the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha, who instantly appointed him as Special Assistant on Student Affairs, with a pledge to sponsor him to further his studies.

An intriguing dimension to these achievements is that these young men and woman are not just intellectual prodigies but are also going great entrepreneurially. All three are into diverse investment drives in critical areas of the economy where they are meeting needs, solving problems and impacting lives.