Governor Fubara Counsels Opobi Royal Family to Shun Inheritance Conflicts
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has issued a heartfelt plea to the children of the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, the Amanyanabo of Opobo, urging them to resist the temptation of engaging in disputes over the assets left behind by their father. Governor Fubara emphasized that such conflicts would inevitably lead to chaos and anarchy within the family, undermining the peace and unity that should prevail.
Call for Personal Success Over Inheritance Battles
Speaking during the funeral church service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers State, Governor Fubara advised the royal family members to channel their energies toward achieving personal successes instead of squabbling over inheritance. He argued that fighting over assets is needless, as it only fosters division while the value of those assets depreciates over time. "What you inherit are assets. You don’t inherit success. You have to work for your own success," he stated, adding that this mindset would prevent crises in the family.
Governor Fubara highlighted that the late monarch was a peaceful man who would be deeply sorrowful to see his family in disarray over inheritance matters. He urged the family to forget about the assets left behind and focus on maintaining peace, which he said would automatically follow. "With that peace will automatically be in the family," he reassured.
Tribute to a Legacy of Peace and Achievement
Governor Fubara described the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja as a man of class and dignity who led a peaceful and successful reign. He noted that the monarch, who passed away at the age of 83, elevated the Opobo Kingdom to great heights. According to Fubara, outside the legendary King Jaja and other founding chiefs, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja is the only one who made significant achievements that brought the kingdom into the limelight.
Recalling the monarch’s contributions, Governor Fubara mentioned that during his reign, the kingdom produced a Deputy Governor and a Governor, making his transition a cause for celebration rather than mourning. "Today is not a day of mourning," he declared, explaining that the late king attained the biblical age of 70 and, due to his deeds, gentleness, and peacefulness, God added another thirteen years to make it 83.
He praised the late king for his composure during challenging times, such as battles over kingship succession, describing him as a man of class and dignity. "Today, we should celebrate him with peace. We should celebrate him with a sense of fulfilment. We should celebrate him as somebody who has finished his own race, and it is now left for us to continue his story," Governor Fubara concluded.
Guidance for the Future and Spiritual Reflections
Governor Fubara also charged the Amanyanabo-elect to chart a new course for the kingdom through wisdom and pragmatism, rather than merely trying to fill the big shoes left by his predecessor. He encouraged a forward-looking approach that builds on the legacy of peace and success.
During the funeral service, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko Jaja, delivered a sermon reflecting on the transient nature of life. He urged the congregation to avoid pride and the primitive acquisition of wealth, noting that such pursuits are ultimately vanities. Drawing from Revelation 21:1-7, the cleric reminded attendees that ultimate authority rests with God, whom he described as the "water of life" for all who seek Him.
Bishop Jaja encouraged mourners to live with an eternal perspective, emphasizing that only those who accept Jesus Christ have the assurance of a new heaven and the promise of everlasting life. This spiritual message complemented Governor Fubara’s call for peace and unity, reinforcing the importance of values over material possessions.
