DEIN OF AGBOR.
His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Keagborekuzi Ikenchukwu, the Dein ofAgbor, is a history maker. In 1979, he took the world by storm when he was crowned a king at the tender age of two years and four months.
The following year, his name entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest crowned monarch in the world. He is also the youngest king in Nigeria to be appointed a Chancellor of a Federal University.
Among the Ika people, Agbor Kingdom is the most populous city, and it is located in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. It is believed that Agbor was already an organized society as early as 8,000 BC with administrative units and divisions within and outside the kingdom.
A kingship system that may have also favoured monarchy is believed to have evolved at the time and entered the peoples’ consciousness. Today, Agbor is under a traditional monarchical system that recognises the first male child in succession line for the throne.
OLU OF WARRI
His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III (Tsola Emiko), the 21 st Olu of Warri is barely 40 but he is well -known for his great wealth and influence. To preside over the traditional affairs of one of Nigeria’s most important oil cities as a king, is a big deal; but the young king is pulling his weight.
And since ascending the throne, he has been bringing his knowledge and wealth of experience to bear in the cultural and economic life of the ancient were (Warri) Kingdom.
Born on 2nd April, 1984 in Warri, Delta State, Ogiame Atuwatse lIl is reputedly a king for this era. Apart from his good education and extensive travels, this young king is smart, conscious and innovative.
He attended NPC Primary School, Warri for his primary education before proceeding to the highly respected Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State for his secondary education. He eventually received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in International Studies and Political Science from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, the United States. He later bagged a Master’s degree in Management in the same university.
On his return to Nigeria, he participated in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
OBI OF ISSELE-UKU
His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi, Obi Ndukal, is one of the youngest kings in Delta State. ObiNduka, who trained as an engineer and is amiably called “Special Engineer King’ by his admirers, ascended the throne of his ancestors at the age of 25. His journey to the exalted throne of Oligbo Kigdom (Issele-Uku) actually began shortly after the tragic and sudden loss of his father, His Royal Majesty, Obi Henry Ezeagwuna who joined his ancestors on August 9, 2014.
His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Nduka I was 22 years old, and a 300 level Engineering student at the University of Ibadan before the traditional duty-call to lead his people and the coronation that followed. However, to avoid a vacuum, a regent was appointed to oversee the affairs of the town while the king in-waiting continued with his education at Ibadan.
He is also a ready king who prepared for the throne. Shortly before his coronation, he headed to the Oba’s Palace in Benin City where he was believed to have received some tutelage from the revered Eware ll, the Oba of Benin. The Benin and Issele-Uku Royal families reputedly share ancestral affinities.
So far, Obi Nduka is doing remarkably well as a young and dynamic monarch who understands and appreciates the changing times. He is also a widely travelled king who has been to several countries and cities across the world to interface with and unite his people.
There is a strong belief in many quarters that this youthful king from Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State is desirous of developing his kingdom through government interventions and direct involvement of his people in his day-to-day management of his kingdom. As a member of the Delta State Council of Chiefs, the king is also aware of his responsibilities to his people, and he is not leaving any stone unturned in this direction especially as regards consultations with other chiefs.
Issele-Uku is etched in history, and this is unlikely to escape any researcher or visitor to the town.
PERE OF KABOWEI KINGDOM.
His Royal Majesty, Barrister Shadrack Erebulu Adou Ill is a special monarch.
Apart from being the youngest king in ljaw land, Aduo is also one of the youngest kings in Delta State. The jaw king actually emerged after a rigorous selection process that paid great attention on education, ability to speak jaw Language, knowledge of the culture and practices, marriage and other traditional qualifications.
The young monarch who became the king of Kabowei Kingdom in Patani Local Government Area in 2017 at barely 28 years old, is proving that old age after all, may have little to do with the traditional administration of a community. And he is already bringing innovation to his kingdom with his good education, exposure, influence and youthful zeal.
But this king is also lucky in a special way. Very few people live to experience the best of two worlds in a season; the young king remains a typical example of such a person.
For those who may not be aware, the news of his selection from a pool of crown princes came to him while he was on honeymoon with his wife.
The flipside however, is that in spite of the good news, the monarch admitted that becoming a king shattered his dream and that of his wife, (two young lawyers in love) who had romanticised about establishing a big law firm.
Today, he is a king who has no regrets leaving law practice and ascending the throne of his forefathers. His preoccupation for now is to engender hope, bring development to his people and change some practices that are not beneficial in this age and time.
He told a news reporter a few months after his ascension that he will bring about change around some cultural and traditional practices, and this will include but not limited to the kingdom’s traditional language and usage.
The king is happy he made the right career choice and according to him, he will remain grateful to his father who insisted on law.” believe my knowledge of the law will remain beneficial and it will always come to play when it comes to adjudication. In a way, it has helped and l am grateful to my dad for insisting I become a lawyer”
OBI OF UBULU-UKU
On Monday, September 5, 2016, His Royal Majesty, Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze made history at the age of 17 as the youngest monarch in Ubulu-Uku’s history. The death of his father under a very unfortunate circumstance brought the young king to the throne earlier than many people had expected.
Without a doubt, Ubulu-Uku is a great community. Aside from its rich cultural heritage, it is also an important town in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, a place known for its human capital, weaving, yam and cassava farming, livestock production and palm wine tapping.
Beyond these endowments, Akaeze will be bringing to the Ubulu-Uku kingship system, his British education, fresh ideas, cross-cultural experience, his law education from University of Exeter, United Kingdom and the vigour of youth. The Ubulu-Uku monarch who is in good company with other young and dynamic traditional rulers in Delta State already has his job cut out for him. It is evident that the young king will not be found wanting at a time like this with a growing youth population and the need to meet their expectations.
He also knows what to do when he needs to communicate frequently and effectively.
Although some controversies arose during his coronation following the allegation that his father bypassed the rightful succession to his grandfather, the king makers managed to weather the storm. In fact, it was reported that his father’s elder brother who has a British mother should have succeeded their grandfather.
But the young king remains resolute, focused and dependent on God’s power for sustenance and direction. According to him,” cannot do anything without His power and guidance. But as I desire, I honestly would want to be remembered as the best king who ruled his people with prosperity, fear of God and love”. Who knows, the king may stil live all his dreams. After all, itisstill a long journey ahead of him.
