Okrika ethnic nationality in Rivers State went agog as they laid to rest the mortal body of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head of Okrika Clan, His Gracious Majesty King (Dr.) Alfred Semenitari Abam, on Saturday December 16, 2023 at Abam-Ama in Okrika Local Government Area.
The King who was officially recognized by the Rivers State government in 2019 after a legal battle that lasted for 19 years, died in 2021.
King Abam, was an author par excellence, worked in the Federal Civil Service and rose to the rank of a Permanent Secretary. After his career as a civil servant, he was appointed by the Obasanjo administration as a member of Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) and resigned after been installed Amanyanabo of Okrika. He was only officially recognized King of Okrika after the protracted court cases that he won in 2019.
Speaking to National Point on the sideline of the burial, his successor, King (Dr.) Sotonye M. D. George, said King Abam was a unifying king as the overall king of Okrika and achieved a lot of things that is providing succor to Okrikans.
“King A. S. Abam was a unifying king as the overall king of Okrika, before and after he was recognized. He was playing the role of a King and unifying Okrika people despite the fact that the case was in court. He facilitated the presence of Daewoo Nigeria Limited in Okrika, which has provided a lot of succor to young men, women and all Okrika people. He also brought bridge to Okrika. Today, Okrika mainland is linked to the island through motorable bridge, provided employment, scholarship and accommodation for students.”
Stating his mission on the throne of his forebears, King George told this publication, “As the successor to late King A. S. Abam, I have stepped into a great shoe and also stepped into great wisdom. I see myself as a divine King approved by God using men to make it possible. I say this because I never thought of becoming a king even though I know I am from the royal family. I went to school to go into the business and academic world but it was a clarion call and the call was with a mission and the mission was very clear.
“My mission as a king is to bring justice in Okrika. When you have justice you have peace and we must uphold the truth in Okrika and not by lies or propaganda. We will educate our people and build leadership among the youth because we are bringing a young generation that will take over Okrika,” stressing that with good leadership you will have a good state and with good leadership, and with good leadership you will have a good nation. We will also bring human capital development to our people, create better relationship with our people and work with the government closely that will benefit Rivers State.”
Speaking on the political crisis in Rivers State, King George threw his weight behind the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara.
“I believe in good leadership as an activist and former chairman of the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) Rivers State branch. We condemn godfatherism; we believe leadership should bring up more leaders. The government of the day led by Sir Fubara, we will support because the government has a human face. This fact could be seen from the budget as welfare takes centre stage.”
Dignitaries that graced the burial are: Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the former President of Nigeria, former Rivers State Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George, Representative of Bayelsa State government, Kings, Chiefs, Bishops and a host of others.
