The Traditional Institution in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State just received a super boost with the induction of the Chiefs and Heads of the Jim-Halliday and Jack Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy Houses into the Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC).

The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, DSSRS, JP, Edward I, Perekule XI, received the two traditional leaders into the Council on Friday, March 15, 2024 at his Palace in Bonny, Rivers State.

Wari-Alabo Iganima Jack Manilla Pepple, Gboboitemegha Ncheke IV, Chief and Head of Jack Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House and Wari-Alabo Elliot Kalada Jim-Halliday, Chief and Head of Jim-Halliday House, Igiri V, were inducted into the BCC by the King.

Each Chief will now graduate from Wari-Alabo (House Chief) to Se-Alabo (Country Chief) and be jointly recognized with other members of the Bonny Chiefs Council as Se-Alapu (country chiefs) of ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom.

The Bonny Kingdom Monarch noted particularly for the Jack Manilla Pepple House that it was the handiwork of God to have a chief in the House and now representing it in the BCC after a 124 years’ interregnum, pointing out that the new chief has divine endorsement as he was not even among the initial names mooted for occupying the stool.

He, therefore, urged him be guided by that awareness, admonishing him to realize his days as a politician are over and now is the time to lead his people in the direction of progress and prosperity, cautioning that he should not saddle himself with more responsibilities than he can handle.

For Jim-Halliday House, King Edward I expressed delight that the House is now represented in the Council, urging Se-Alabo Jim Halliday to be forthright and provide the right leadership for his kinsmen as well as integrate into the Kingdom agenda for the whole of Bonny.

Earlier, Se-Alabo Iganima Jack Manilla Pepple, Ncheke IV, had thanked the King for the invaluable support he availed him and the House, noting that it helped them assail the challenges they faced along the path to the day’s event, pledging absolute loyalty to the King and the Bonny Chiefs Council.

On his part, Se-Alabo Elliot Kalada Jim-Halliday expressed his appreciation to the Monarch for his guidance and wise counsel in the course of the chieftaincy journey, noting that his support was invaluable, assuring the King of his availability for Kingdom service and total loyalty to the Perekule throne.

In its goodwill messages for both events read on its behalf by Se-Alabo Benjamin Ada-Allison and Se-Alabo Abel Attoni, the Bonny Chiefs Council expressed delight in the ingress of both traditional rulers into the Council, noting that it would help optimize the deliverables of the Council.

The Council enjoined them to allow wisdom, rectitude and humility guide their affairs I their various Houses and the Kingdom at large, assuring them of advice, guidance and support as they navigate their roles and responsibilities in the Kingdom.

On its part, the Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, speaking through its President, Amaopusenibo Furosia Wilcox noted that Bonny Kingdom has over centuries retained the sanctity and integrity of its traditional ethos and cultural identity since the time of its founders.

It, therefore, urged the two Chiefs to view their induction into the Chiefs Council as part of that agelong process of entrenching, sustaining and celebrating the identity, way of life and leadership style of ancient Gran Bonny Kingdom, congratulating them on their successful presentation to the King and subsequent induction into the Council.

The two chiefs were conveyed to the Coal Beach in Bonny from their respective communities by their Gigi (Alali Aru) and were presented to the King for induction by the Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs Council, Se-Alabo Lt. Col. Dagogo Suoala Claude-Wilcox, MON.

A former Commissioner for Finance in Rivers State, Amaopusenibo Israel Williams, and the President of the Titled Citizens Assembly, Amaopusenibo Furosia Wilcox proposed the toasts for Se-Alabo Iganima Jack Manilla Pepple and Se-Alabo Elliot Jim-Halliday, respectively.