The Amadabo of Finima, Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo XVII says Christianity permeated Nigerian communities from Finima and flourished on account of the leverage and protection the leadership of the community provided the early missionaries.

Aseme Alabo Brown, who is also the Chief and Head of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House (BOBH) of Finima, said this on Thursday, January 12, 2023 during the official opening of the remodelled Palace of the Amadabo of Finima and his first year anniversary of his coronation at Sonia Suu in Finima, Bonny LGA.   

“Finima, also being referred to as Juju town by the early Portuguese and European explorers, amidst its heavily weighted and acclaimed deity and rituals; yet, with divine and Godly consciousness of its leadership, was able to provide an asylum to protect the early Christian missionaries of the Niger Delta against persecution;

“Thus providing an open door for the word of God to diffuse into nooks and crannies of Kingdoms in the nation of Nigeria. This is part of our heritage and not just a mere hearsay. The Anglican Community in Bonny Kingdom is a living testimony of this reality.”

He stated that given this antecedent, the Brown House will continue to predicate its affairs on trust in God Almighty and conduct its affairs in line with divine guidance, informing that this was the basis of inviting revered men of God to dedicate and commission the remodelled edifice.

“Therefore, as a Community and people that are now enlightened in respect of our present level of development; the conduct of our affairs in the administration of the Buoye Omuso Brown Group of Houses and Finima in general shall continue to lean and rely on the Almightiness of the God of heaven and earth.”

“Accordingly, it is in the light of this truth that the Amadabo-in-Council do hereby import highly revered men of God to anchor the dedication of this remodelled most ancient Palace in Bonny Kingdom, as well as to commemorate the first anniversary of my coronation as Chief and Head of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House and Amadabo of Finima – Kongo XVII.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, Chairman of the Council of Wari-Alapu of the Buoye Omuso Brown Major House, Wari-Alabo Inima Brown thanked the guests for honouring the occasion of the first anniversary of the coronation of the Amadabo of Finima and official opening of the Palace in Finima, noting that the epochal event was critical to repositioning Finima Community for attainment of its future aspirations.

While offering prayers of dedication for the palace, General Overseer of High Calling Outreach, Dr. Steve Ogan stated that owing to its historical antecedents of providing refuge to the King of Bonny in 1861, Finima has since remained a refuge centre, noting that it is also a resource centre for not only Bonny but Africa, and also a redemption centre.  

Delivering an exhortation during the event, General Overseer of Hilltop International Christian Centre, Pastor Chris Oarhe, who had earlier joined Dr. Steve Ogan to pray for the palace, asserted that the people of Finima Community should be conscious of their place in destiny, pointing out that for the fact that Christianity entered Nigeria through Finima, the blessing commensurate with that would not miss the community.

The cleric enjoined the women of the community to predicate the upbringing of their children on righteousness, stressing that the outcome of that would be the progress, development and excellence of the community, while admonishing the youths to focus on realizing their dreams.

In his goodwill message, the Head of Omuso Polo in Opobo Kingdom, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown, Ede II, congratulated Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown on his first anniversary and the opening of his palace, stressing that the day’s event signposts future progress and development.

Also speaking, the Chief and Head of Bristol-Alagbariya Chieftaincy House, Aseme Alabo Edward Bristol Alagbariya, who spoke via a video link, felicitated with the Amadabo of Finima, congratulating him on his one-year anniversary and commissioning of the palace, noting that Buoye Omuso Brown House and Bristol-Alagbariya House share ancestral linkages as aboriginal and founding houses of Bonny Kingdom.

Dignitaries at the event include the former House of Representatives member; Randolph Brown, his wife and CEO of Our Kitchen; Esther Randolph-Brown, members of the Council of Wari-Alapu of Buoye Omuso Brown House, wife of the General Overseer of Hilltop International Christian Centre; Dr. Stephanie Oarhe, and Chairman, Finima Capacity Development Committee (FCDC); Owuna Fenibo, amongst others.

Highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape to officially open the remodelled palace and unveiling of the commissioning plaque by the Amadabo of Finima, Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo XVII, display by the Otobo masquerade, performances by the Ogbobiri Ere and Kala Ere of BOBH, rendition of different gospel hymns, and presentation of Burusu (Unit) heads to the Amadabo by the respective Burusu.