Transition Of A Sage
Ogonis are celebrating a chieftain, whose life of 110 years; changed the world, and left legacies that can inspire others. The grave is a throne, and his coffin also a throne, on which he seats upright for interment in a sacred ground. The family will unveil the tomb after 49 days and 49 nights with 21 gun salute, or more; to equal the number fired on the day of burial.
He had passed on the 7th of January, this year; now, Ogonis hold days of ceremonies to honor the ethnic leader, Ezekiel Yimadee Diigbo, the Gbene, whose life had touched generations. The people make merry with programs, of customs and Christian bent; some cultural displays, and a football match. Two musicians have produced two albums to honor the great man.
Tens of individuals and groups have offered public and private condolences to the Diigbo family. They include traditional rulers, kindred units, elected leaders, and other public servants. In his own message, a Nigerian politician representing the Rivers South East Constituency, Senator Magnus Abe, described late Gbene Diigbo, as a bridge builder; experienced in conflict resolution and reconciliation; an overcomer, who anchored on the principle of love. The senator said his legacies are worthy of emulation.
Part of the events is the retelling of the somber story of how he met his lover, Princess Nua Nkpabe, whose father was the reigning ruler, and went after him. But, both teenagers eloped, and spent 17 years to fight to try to overturn the customary marriage law. After they lost 12 customary court cases and 12 corresponding appeals; at last, they succeeded and established the Right to Choice of Spouse in Ogoniland. But, not without a British District Officer, who overruled the native law. The two teenagers escaped banishment and death; for it was a taboo for children to choose their own husbands and wives.
Gbene Diigbo was a man of many parts. He set up a church; run his own brewery; traded in tobacco; a gifted practitioner of natural medicine who perfumed surgery on animals without charges. He was a landlord and earned his living also a farmer. He promoted the idea of “love for all” and held palace court sessions as a role model for conflict resolution and reconciliation.
On Saturday, the 29th of October, 2016, Ogoni leaders will receive his remains at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace and Freedom Center, Bori; the body lies in the family Peace Hall. After an interdenominational church service, a procession of mourners will sight the corpse, and then, two dozens of gun salute will follow.
Gbene Diigbo was a father of 15 children, over 70 grand and great children. On behalf of the extended family, the third child; who is the chief mourner, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, welcomes members of the public to join in the program. Those who wish to sign the Condolence Register are free to do so at the Town Hall in Teyork. Goodluck Diigbo, a journalist, is the president of the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, OCIA; a body, which his late father had blessed, to offer the Ogoni, a voice, and the right to control their own destiny.
Dr. Goodluck Diigbo
Chief Mourner