Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Agoloma Federated Community has thrown into the mood of jubilation as they officially coronated Retired AirForce Staff, High Chief Palmer Andrew Benaebi as the new Amananaowei.
It would be recalled that after the sudden death of Late King Alexander Atie, the then Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom about nine years ago in 2013, the community had been hunting for someone to be coronated as Amananaowei in order to pilot the affairs of the community for the betterment of all.
The Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom and member of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council His Royal Majesty Jackson Foubriowei Angalabiri (Egbain II) described the newly crowned Amananaowei of Agoloma Federated Community as a distinguished fellow, dogged and astute leader and problem solver.
He said the community has began a new regime with the hope of witnessing a tangible change and prosperity in all spheres, expressing confidence that the new Amananaowei will bring about the desire change and development the people of the community was yearning for over the years.
Describing Agoloma as a peace loving community, he advised the people to work with the newly coronated Amananaowei to achieve the needed peace and addressing some of the lopeholes observed that hindering the development of the community.
King Jackson said the coronation of High Chief Palmer Andrew Benaebi as Amananaowei in the community is a long awaited dream come through adding that he is ordained by God Almighty.
He pledged to work with the Amananaowei in all ramifications in actualizing his set out goals and objectives on his reign on the throne.
Dr. Jackson prayed that no evil will survive around the newly coronated Amananaowei and Agoloma community.
It is historic to note that Late High Chief Asigo Ebizimor was the first appointed Amananaowei and succeeded by Late Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, King Alexander Atie. Chief Ebizimor died in 2019 after a brief illness, while King Alexander Atie kicked the bucket in 2012.
The newly coronated Amananaowei of Agoloma Federated Community was born on the 10th of October, 1953 to the family of Benaebi in Krobarizi Quarters of Agoloma town, Patani local government area of Delta state.
High Chief Palmer Andrew Benaebi had his elementary education at the prestigious Ogidi Primary School where he obtained his first school leaving certificate in 1965. He later attended Government College in the present day Bomadi where he also obtained his compulsory West African Secondary School Certificate in 1972 with flying colours to the admiration of many at his tender age as a young and promising man.
After concluding his secondary education, High Chief Palmer Andrew Benaebi Akwasa II, Amananaowei of Agoloma federated community was enlisted into the Nigerian Airforce and went for a strategic training in the Airforce Training School Makurdi, Benue State, and also went for further training at the Nigeria Army Medical School, Ojo, Lagos state from 1980-1982, where he obtained a National Diploma in Store Keeping Management Services which was rare at the time.
The Amananaowei diligently served the Nigerian Airforce between 1974-1994 meticulously in various administrative and management capacities across the Airforce formations most especially Lagos state, Nigeria. He also briefly served the Ministry of Defence Lagos State during his active years of service.
Upon his retirement as gallant Airforce officer and tutor, the Amananaowei later employed to render his unflinching services to the Nigeria German Chemicals Plc, Sango Ota as a Chief Security Officer from 1995-2014.
It is heartwarming to note that on the zeal to expand the knowledge base, the Amananaowei of Agoloma Federated Community was briefly worked as a tutor with the Local Authority School in Bulu-Orua town in the present day Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State from 1973-1974 — that was exactly when Sagbama local government was created.
He is a passionate lover of music, sports and excellent in the word of God, which is the relying point of many Christians and lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Even as a strong believer of the gospel, the Amananaowei High Chief Palmer Andrew Benaebi do not undermine or underestimate the highly valued customs and traditions of Ijaw nation which gave him the edge to be coronated in the foremost and prestigious position in the Agoloma federated community, who will be henceforth the chief custodian of the custom and tradition most especially ensuring peaceful coexistence among the inhabitants without fear, favour or bias irrespective of socio-economic and political status of the people.
He is happily married to his loving and caring wife, Mrs. Royal Benaebi with children and grand children.
The epoch making event was marked with the crowning of the Amananaowei-Elect by the eldest chief of Agolomaowei Council of Chiefs, High Chief Amos Yereyere. While the presentation of staff of office was officially carried out by the Ebenanaoweii of Kumbowei Kingdom, Delta state, His Royal Majesty Jackson Foubriowei Angalabiri (Egbain II) which also mark the climax of the ceremony.
As an ordained Amananaowei of Agoloma Federated Community, the anointing and consecration to the newly elected Amananaowei was ceremoniously carried out by Eminent Men of God led by Venerable Emmanuel Ugochukwu Nwaogazi and Venerable Churchill Enoya and host of others.
The historic event was featured with a cultural dance, novelty football match, and appreciation dance which was led by the Amananaowei-elect and accompanied by the Council of Chiefs which signifies the beginning of new era after nine years.
It observed that the ceremony was witnessed with the conferment of chieftaincy titles to outstanding and deserving sons and daughters of Agoloma Federated Community who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers in life, whose contributions will be enormous towards the development of the community, and by extension the kingdom in particular.
It is pertinent to note that the coronation ceremony was coincided with the Community’s annually festival which is ever celebrated every March, and boat raggae was displayed in the all-important occasion which attracted all and sundry within and outside Delta state.
Dignitaries that graced the historic occasion were the Delta State Commissioner of Power and Energy and former Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Basil Ganagana, former commissioner of Local Government Service Commission, Bayelsa State High Chief Ombu Akubokapoj, former Patani local government chairman, High Chief Barr. Perez Omourn.
Other were the former vice chairman of Patani local government council, High Chief (Dr.) Ebimobowei Ekpobetebe (JP), Executive Chairman of Patani Local Government Area, Isaac Aguana, royal fathers were from Sagbama federated community, and his counter Tungbabiri autonomous community, and the host of others.
