By Harrison Akamule
The year 2023 may have come and gone but the memories of various events, ranging from thanksgiving services, conventions and cultural displays by ethnic groups that took place towards the end of the year, especially during the yuletide season, to express their profound gratitude to God Almighty for being magnanimous in all ramifications all through the year, would remain fresh in the minds of many.
One of the Kingdoms that exhibited such gratitude to God was Akugbene – Mein Kingdom in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State. A kingdom where thanksgiving has become a lifestyle to commemorate the goodness of God to the Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Pere S. P. Luke, Kalanama V111 (JP), his enthronement as the Pere (King) of the Kingdom two decades ago, and the 12 Communities that made up the Kingdom.
Thanksgiving in Akugbene-Mein has become an annual event, organized by the kingdom, and the Akugbene Christian Fellowship (ACF). The 2023 edition which was held on December 30th with the theme ‘’The True Worshippers’’, spoke volumes of the Kingdom’s recognition of God’s faithfulness.
Giving his address, the Monarch said,” This is about the 12th edition. God has been faithful to us, and, we have no choice but to worship and give thanks to Him. Thanksgiving has been an integral part of me, without God I am nobody. I always reverence God Almighty, for the wonderful gifts he has given me”. I was not mindful of those who despised me, it is only what God says that bothers me in my life. God has so positioned the Akugbene Mein Kingdom to be a voice in the comity of traditional institutions’’ He said.
When the Pere declared that ‘’without God he was nobody’’ even though his kingdom was very prominent among the comity of traditional institutions, the teeming crowd was not only encouraged, they were equally compelled to join him in giving glory to God.
The ceremony was greeted with variegated arrays of traditional wears. The different traditional attires sparked off a grand coloration of the arena that provided such an irresistible aesthetics.
Special features of the thanksgiving service included rendering thanksgiving to God, accompanied with praises and dances, with Pastor (Mrs.) Ruth Dimaro, the Gospel guest Artist. The euphoria of the sons, daughters and invited guests knew no bound. The Hymnal song for the day was Blessed Assurance.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the word of God by Pastor Jacob Eyube, who preached on the theme of the programme. Another noteworthy aspect of the programne was the conferment of Six chieftaincy titles to deserving Nigerians and illustrious sons and daughter of the kingdom. The newly conferred Traditional Chiefs were Chief Engine Megboloabofa, Chief Menzies M. Garry, Chief William Z. Egbe, Chief Buku M. James, Chief (Mrs) Mabel F. Akren and Chief GoodFriday Onos.
It also featured the presentation of scholarship packages to deserving students across the 12 communities. This gesture of the monarch is an eloquent testimony of his undying passion for quality and accessible education for his people.
The scholarship presentation, which was graciously carried out by Her Royal Majesty, Happiness Luke , had a total of forty-eight students for the year, which brought the overall number of beneficiaries to 122 so far.
Speaking on the scholarships award, the Monarch said, “This is the 11th year we started giving out scholarships. It was the 15th year of my coronation anniversary in 2012 that we incorporated it. I thought of what legacy to leave behind to the upcoming generation and decided to focus on adding value to the lives of promising children via the scholarship scheme.
The chairman of the scholarship board, Mr. Fleming Carter said that we have been able to empower about 122 students, “and I I know that someday, these students will grow to become successful entrepreneurs in life, and when they trace and write their history, they will remember that the Pere of Akugbene Mein kingdom, Kalanama Viii was instrumental to their success while growing up. So it gives me great joy and pleasure to do for humanity. God helping me, I will continue to do more.
“Today, good numbers of the beneficiaries of the Akugbene Mein Kingdom scholarship scheme are graduates of various Nigerian tertiary institutions, contributing immensely to the economy, and lives of Nigerians’’.
Advising parents on the need to be proactive in the lives of their wards, the Monarch said, “the parents should be up and doing, because parentage starts from the home because you have to give what you have so that your children can be great. So parents too, should be focused and pay more attention to their children, so that the children can become responsible people in the future.”
The Monarch who is also the First Vice Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council used the opportunity to formally introduce his newly wedded wife, Her Royal Majesty Happiness Luke to the people of his Kingdom. In his words ” There is a new face in my life , God Almighty has given me a beautiful wife, the Monarch expressed gratitude to God for blessing him with beautiful wife and invoked the support and acceptance of the kingdom .
He appreciated the Akugbene Christian Fellowship (ACF,) and other well-wishers for their support. He also prayed for the government of Delta State, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for peace and harmony in the entire country.
Earlier, the Chairman of Akugbene Christian Fellowship (ACF) Evangelist Good Nawerebode in his welcome address said “I wish to thank the Almighty God who is the giver of life. For in Him, we live, move and have our being “.
“Haven taken reminiscence of the events from the year 2023, we have every reason to glorify God, for the battles He fought for us and victories He gave us on a platter of gold, and for not allowing us to become casualties in the series of battles that bedeviled us in the year 2023. May His glorious name be highly extolled. Of a truth, the time has come for Christians to worship God in Spirit and truth just like the theme of the year”.
Nawerebode also expressed gratitude to the Monarch for ensuring that the programme held every year
“it will be an act of ingratitude to shut down the address without appreciating the sole sponsor of the programme, His Royal Majesty Pere S. P. Luke, the first Vice Chairman of Delta State Traditional Ruler’s Council, who has deemed it expedient in ensuing that the programme holds every year without fail in the midst of this harsh economic crunch that has bedeviled our Country, Nigeria. May God continue to bless the sponsor in Jesus name” he concluded.
The event was a great one indeed, but what I deduced was that the Monarch carefully orchestrated it in order to win souls for God, strengthen the spiritual lives of those in his kingdom , and also to acknowledge God by giving back to the society through scholarships, in order to strengthen the educational sector of the economy which is fast eroding by the day.
It also made the upcoming ones to believe that the future is bright no matter their background, God can make a way , therefore, they should channel their energy, talent and knowledge on productive ventures, so that they could become drivers of the nation’s economy at various levels of their lives.
The Monarch understands that His gladness depends on how successful people of his kingdom were. Therefore, the people of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom would ever be grateful to God and the PERE for the great feat.
The PERE OF AKUGBENE-MEIN KINGDOM, HRM PERE S.P. LUKE AND HIS WIFE HRM ( Mrs) Happiness Luke flanked by beneficiaries of the scholarship Scheme and members of the Scholarship Board. Pix. Harrison Akamule.
Her Royal Majesty Happiness Luke , wife of the PERE of AKUGBENE-MEIN KINGDOM, HRM PERE S.P. LUKE, KALANAMA V111 stepped out of her Royal seat to present Scholarship package to deserving students. While a member of the scholarship board Chief Flora Biripu looked on. It was taken during 2023 Akugbene – Mein Kingdom thanksgiving day. Pix. Harrison Akamule.
