House Opening Ceremony of the Waridaalamo of Nembe, High Chief Bioblomoye Wright
On March 29th 2014, the atmosphere was filled with
excitement as the people of Nembe couldn’t wait for the festivities to begin.
The ‘’event of the year’’ as it was tagged was the House Opening Ceremony of
the Waridaalamo of Nembe, High Chief Bioblomoye Wright the custodian of the
Ogidiga Deity, a man of pedigree with a
strong military background (having attended the Nigerian Defense Academy), one
who is feared and respected with strong political allies. The atmosphere of the
moment and the exquisite array of ancient relics carefully placed to decorate
the community of NEMBE culturally, indicated that the people of this land still
had high regard for their traditional values. It was a sight to behold.
The Waridaalamo being the custodian of
Ogidiga, as the national Deity of the people of Nembe, presided over the
hardcore traditional rites of the ceremony to celebrate Ogidiga with his voice
booming he gave a profound rendition of praises to the gods. It was apparent he
was filled with so much happiness, why wouldn’t he be? He had just dedicated a
new shrine to Ogidiga for being his Guardian Deity, this got the Chiefs and
their vassals excited.
Chief Asari Dokubo and Chief Edwin
Clark were there to represent their kingdoms and some other high chiefs from
surrounding towns had no choice but to show up to honour the formidable
Waridaalamo because no one wants to incur the wrath of Ogidiga.
The Waridaalamo is said to represent
the noble characteristics of Ogidiga itself. In-fact, he could be seen as an
avatar of some sort. The connection the Waridaalamo shares with Ogidiga is
clearly different from that of master-servant relationship, he was considered
an extension of the Deity.
The ceremony was typically a
traditional all-day fiesta where the soil's sons and daughters came together in
harmony to honor the valiant Waridaalamo and his new Palace. The air was filled
with eulogies of the Waridaalamo and Ogidiga. It felt like the spirits
themselves had descended and were dancing to the adulations and music
The House Opening Ceremony was filled
with so many activities, some of which was the unveiling of some new Patrons
for the Waridaalamo. Some of the major power pushers who attended the ceremony
were; Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Major Gen. Micheal Ogidi, Senator Heineken
Lopkobiri, Hon. Nelson Belief, who came
with gift items and these VIPs knelt down to present them to the Waridaalamo in
a show of swearing their allegiance to him. It was also an unforgettable
incident for the residents of Nembe. The ceremony attracted famous political
top guns to Nembe who came to pay their respects to Ogidiga and the
Waridaalamo.
There had not been a Waridaalamo for
years. Many will argue it was because there hadn’t been any worthy successor
all the while, but the truth was that while the title came with so much
influence, the traditional rites of the coronation demanded a lot. Many had
tried but failed or simply backed down because they were required to present
the heart of their loved one or some other ludicrous request. Nobody truly knew
what the current Waridaalamo had given Ogidiga to swear his allegiance to the
Deity. Rumors had it that since the Waridaalamo title is not always taken, the
Deity asked that he swear to make the title of Waridaalamo a family title. Now
his first firstborn was required to succeed him and so was the firstborn of his
firstborn. This arrangement was made, and it covered the descendants of the
Waridaalamo for generations to come. This title is a deific title meant for
those with profound knowledge and acceptance of divinity and the rites
enshrined in it.
The Master of Ceremonies ceremoniously
called the attention of the audience to the Waridaalamo and his entourage of
patrons and seemingly well wishes. He read a short biography of the Waridaalamo
and everyone was very silent paying rapt attention to what the MC was saying.
Indeed, it was a glorious moment when
Nembe remained still for the hours of the ceremony. Locals from all walks of
life made their presence felt. Dignitaries from different states were present
with their escorts. One would have wondered how one man could command so much
attention.
According to reports, the Waridaalamo
was well known before he even became coronated as the Chief Priest of Ogidiga.
He was an active member of the community and a patron of the Niger Delta
Avengers. However, since he became the Waridaalamo, his popularity and fame
shot beyond the borders of Nembe. His guests that came for the ceremony were
from different political and opposing affiliations. Even the group of thugs
belonged to different sects but they were all united for that day. Not a single
person dared incite a member of the opposing sect.
During the unveiling of the house, the
display of the architectural design stole the heart of the anxious audience.
The Building was a sight to beyond. The compound stretched for what seemed like
acres of land and it felt like an estate rather than just a house, many
considered it a palace.
Once it was time to donate money, each
of the VIP guests thought it was the best time to flex their financial muscles.
Some of them donated Millions of Naira, fleets of cars were brought into the
compound. Everything just seemed like a sort of auction. They were all trying
to outdo each other to get in the good books of the Waridaalamo.
At the end of the event, few people were
allowed to talk and only the top elites were picked. Their voices boomed
triumphantly as if they had won the bidding war. It was a very illustrious
ceremony like never seen before. And the people of Nembe still talk about it
till date.
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