The Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House, comprising of Ererekiri, Inyoba-Ama, and Otobie, among other communities, and, indeed, Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State witnessed a meltdown as a mammoth crowd of Bonny people alongside their friends and well-wishers turned out en masse to pay their last respects to late Alabota Leticia Donald Manilla-Pepple, wife of late Chief and Head of Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom.
The late Alabota Leticia Donald Manilla Pepple
Among the motley crowd of mourners were the former Executive Director of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, Amasenibo Larry Pepple, former Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Ambassador Charles Tonye Jumbo, and Chief Security Officer of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom and the King Perekule Palace, Warisenibo Sunny Manilla-Pepple, among others.
Family
The funeral obsequies began with a Lying-in-State and Open Air Service by the Prophetic Order of the Christ Army Church of Nigeria at the Manilla-Pepple family house at the Sand-field area of Bonny Island, followed by a Funeral Service at St. Michael’s Christ Army Cathedral, Bonny by the Ecclesiastical Order of the church, Lying-in-State at the Chief Donald Manilla-Pepple country home at Otobie, and ended with the Interment at the family graveyard where her remains were committed to mother earth by the side of her late husband’s grave.
The Family sees Alabota off on her last journey
Amb. Charles Jumbo says his last goodbyes to loving Mom-in-law 
Comfort Jumbo is with her late Mom for the last time 
The last journey… 
Son-in-law and Son 
Alali and Comfort with their uncle, Prophet Theophilus Pepple 
Eulogizing the matriarch of the late Chief Donald Manilla-Pepple family, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI, noted that she will “be remembered for her embodiment of humility, discipline, and service to humanity.
Sunny Pepple, eldest son of the late matriarch and CSO to the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom
He counselled his Head of security, Warisenibo Sunny Pepple and his siblings, and indeed the Manilla-Pepple House to take solace in the fact that “the Lord has taken what He gave and at His own time,” while praying that her soul finds rest in the Lord.
In his tribute to his late mother, her first son, Warisenibo Sunny Pepple opined that her “sudden departure had again foregrounded the fact that mortals would always be mortals,” disclosing that her departure “came leaving us clueless”.
He described his late mother’s “unique and exceptional lifestyle” as “simply amazing”, as she was “humble, sincere, forthright, accommodating and contented,” noting that “You have always been my strong source of support and inspiration, especially, after my father’s demise some 20 years ago. Your devotion to prayer and your masterful singsongs in church were exemplary. Your faith in God was unshaken and touching. It reflected on your daily life”.
On his part, the ex-RSSDA boss, Amasenibo Larry Pepple, described his late aunt as an epitome of humility, service to mankind and family love.
“My late auntie, Alabota Leticia Donald Manilla Pepple, for us, she epitomises the beginning and end of humility, service, dedication to God and above all family love. She lived and died sacrificing every breath within her for the family.
“For me, we have lost a backbone. We have lost a bridge builder. For us in the family, we see her as somebody you can run to as a bridge between the old and the young. So, we have lost somebody that is dear to our hearts. But what can we say? God gave and God has taken. He commanded us, He enjoined us that in all situations we should give Him thanks. So, we have given Him thanks”.
The former CTC Chairman of Bonny LGA, Ambassador Charles Tonye Jumbo extolled his late mother-in-law, late Alabota Leticia Donald Manilla-Pepple as a source of inspiration, adviser, spiritual support and moral backbone.
The ‘Game Changer’ himself…Ambassador Charles Jumbo, former CTC Chairman, Bonny LGA and Secretary, PDP, Bonny Chapter
“It’s quite disheartening that you have left this world and I will not see you again as to receive your inspirational words to me. It is obvious how blessed I was having you as a mother-in-law, and how fortunate we have been together as mother and son. You officially received me as son-in-law, and I want to thank you for everything you have done to make me happy.
Inne Ogbolongalabie Family of Inyoba-Ama, Fubara Manilla Pepple House of Grand Bonny Kingdom
Jumbo, who is also the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bonny LGA chapter, lamented that the vacuum his late mother-in-law’s departure has created will remain indelible and her love irreplaceable for the rest of his life, praying God Almighty to repose her soul in paradise.
Adata Bristol, Charles Jumbo, Austin Pepple, and Sunny Pepple 
Adata Bristol, Charles Jumbo, Austin Pepple, and Sunny Pepple 
Mieadonye Pepple, David Jumbo, Owen Pepple 
Mieadonye Pepple, David Jumbo, Owen Pepple 
L-R Leader, Bonny Legislative Assembly, Miriam Hart, Vice Chairman, Bonny LGA, Anengi Barasua, and Special Adviser to Bonny LG Chairman on Religious Matters, Mrs. Aritogha Banigo 
In her tribute to the deceased, the Senator representing Rivers West in the Senate, Senator Betty Okagua-Apiafi said “Alabota Leticia Donald Manilla-Pepple was the personification of womanhood. She was a dutiful mother, hardworking, enterprising and with deep love and care for her family and friends”.
Senator Okagua-Apiafi, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, praised the “honesty and immense commitment to the service of God and humanity,” noting that these “endeared her to all that knew her”.
Bishop of Christ Army Church of Nigeria, Bonny, Rt. Rev. Dappa Opuada Abbey
Rt. Rev. Dappa Opuada Abbey 
Delivering his homily during the Funeral Service in honour of the deceased, presided over by the Bishop of CAC, Bonny, Rt. Rev. Dappa Opuada Abbey, at the St. Michael’s Christ Army Cathedral, Ven. Stephen Wilcox applauded the virtues of the late Alabota Manilla-Pepple, noting that he understood the overarching purpose of man’s existence which was to please God.
The Cleric called on his listeners to emulate the sterling example of the late mother of six, pointing out that she lived a good life, and committed herself to provide good upbringing to not only her children but those of others, thus modelling good parenting and motherliness to generations of people.
Chief and Head of Fubara Manilla Pepple House, Chief Waripanye Valentine Pepple and his entourage
Chief Waripanye Valentine Pepple (centre), his wife, Mrs. Gillian W. V. Pepple, and the interim Chairman of the Fubara Manilla Pepple House, Hon. Sunju Bluejack 
Dignitaries at the funeral included a former Commissioner for Local Governments, Dr Rodaford Longjohn, the lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abinye Pepple, his predecessor, Hon. Aye Pepple, Chairman of Bonny LGA, Engr. David Irimagha, his predecessors, Hon. Edward Pepple, Hon. Nelson Irimagha, Hon. Isobonye Mac-Tobin, and his Vice, Hon. Anengi Barasua.
Others were the Leader of the Bonny Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Miriam Hart, her Deputy, Hon. Dipinye Jumbo, Councillors of Ward 1, Hon. Christian Jumbo, Ward 2, Hon. Kingston Roberts, Ward 5, Hon. Ibianga Brown, Ward 6, Hon. Esther Pepple, Ward 10, Hon. Seth Adolphus, Ward 11, Hon. Ibinye Wilcox, and Ward 12, Hon. Solomon Pollyn.
The Legislature well represented…
L-R Hon. Seth Adolphus, Hon. Kingston Roberts, and Deputy Leader, Hon. Dipinye Jumbo 
R-L Hon. Ibinye Wilcox, Hon. Christian Jumbo, Hon. Ibianga Brown 
R-L Hon. Mie-Iyeoju Jumbo, Hon. Christian Jumbo, Hon. Ibianga Brown, Patience Green, Vice Chairman, Hon. Anengi Barasua, Aritogha Banigo, Deputy Leader, Hon. Dipinye Jumbo, Hon. Kingston Roberts, and others.
Also at the event were former Vice Chairmen of Bonny LGA, Hon. Fimie Green, and Hon. Emmanuel John-Jumbo, a former Leader of the Bonny Legislative Assembly, Hon. Adawari Jumbo, Chairman of the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre, Mr. Aladiokuma Hart, and the Vicar of St. Clement’s Anglican Church, Bonny, Rev. Canon Blu-Attoni.
The Alapu Ta (wives of Country Chiefs of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom) were well on hand to pay their last respects to their late former leader. Alabota Florence Ezekiel-Hart, Alabota Favour Jack Wilson Pepple, Alabota Felicia Benstowe, Alabota Grace Jack Wilson Pepple, Alabota Somieni Allison, Alabota Ilanye Jamaica, and Alabota Patience Pepple were at the funeral service at St. Michael’s Christ Army Cathedral, Bonny.
Alapu Ta (Wives of Bonny Chiefs)
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