As the Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs War Canoe House of Abonnema, late Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, was laid to rest last week, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that the week-long ceremony included an evening of drama, tributes, art exhibition, and boat regatta, among others, for the nationalist, industrialist and renowned philanthropist
For Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs War Canoe House of Abonnema, in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, late Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs (OON), his onward journey to the great beyond was a week-long ceremony filled with an evening of drama, tributes, art exhibition, and boat regatta before he was laid to rest in his hometown.
The late politician, industrialist and oil mogul, who was known for his philanthropy and nationalism,
was also the Iniikeiroari V of Kalabari Kingdom and Opomulero of Ijero Ekiti in Ekiti State, thus his funeral witnessed all the glitz and glamour fit for a king.
Evening of Tributes, Art, Exhibition
The week-long ceremony began on Monday, March 8, 2021, with an evening of drama, tributes and art exhibition at the University of Port Harcourt.
Speaking during evening of drama, tributes and art exhibition, acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Professor Steve Okodudu, stated that the death of the university’s “benefactor, patron, father, and Alumnus is certainly a direct tragedy for the University of Port Harcourt. This is because of the boundless philanthropy and assistance, he rendered to the university”.
Okodudu noted that the university crossed paths with late High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs when efforts were in gear to improve on the infrastructural profile of the institution and that the lot fell on an equally illustrious son of Kalabari kingdom and then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nimi Briggs.
He said the response from High Chief Lulu-Briggs was the building and donation of a purpose-built structure to house the University Health Centre, adding that the deceased impacted on the university in many other ways including becoming one of the foremost “benefactors and rare friend of the university,” while also endowing a “Professorial Chair and never ceased to give unflinching support to the university when approached”.
In response to his acts of kindness and support to the university, Okodudu said the deceased was awarded a Doctorate Degree Honoris Causa.
Responding to the gesture, Head of Young Briggs House of Abonnema, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, said he was short of words to describe how the university organised such an elaborate programme in appreciation of what his father did for the institution, just as he also promised to reach out to the school.
Earlier, the University Orator, Professor Bridger Nwanze had led Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, UNIPORT VC, Professor Steve Okodudu, former vice-chancellors, management staff, and guests to an arts exhibition in honour of the deceased.
Service of Songs
The second event in the long line up of activities was a service of songs and tributes, which was held at the the EUI Centre, Plot F 11, Sani Abacha Road, GRA Phase 3, Port Harcourt.
At the event, former Senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, who extolled the virtues of the deceased said: “I don’t think that High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs woke up any morning to pray about what people will say when he dies. He woke up every day, he did the best he could, helped those he could help and did what was right for him that very day.
“He did not use his money to force people to say good things about him but because he did good things, people are saying good things. There are so many good things about Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs that we can learn from. I have always referred him as a pillar of the community.”
Urging those gathered not to weep over him because he was a good man, who lived a good life, Abe added that “for those of you that never knew High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs during his young days that now see Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, you will think that High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs is still alive. Because Dumo is a carbon copy of his father in his philanthropic nature and all that we are celebrating of the father today. High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs is still alive here with us”.
Speaking also, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze Okocha, said the late founder of Monipulo Limited, touched several lives in communities in the Niger Delta through his company and the O.B Lulu-Briggs Foundation.
Okocha said: “Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs was a proud Kalabari son, who touched many lives. Through Monipulo and O.B Lulu-Briggs Foundation, he touched several lives. If he was not touching lives of widows, he was touching lives of destitutes or communities through medical outreaches.”
Also speaking, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs said contrary to what people might insinuate, the family left behind by their late patriarch and nationalist, remains one and will not allow what transpired before now define them.
Rachael Lulu-Briggs, who gave the tribute on behalf of the family said they popularly called the late High Chief O.B Briggs “The Last Don,” as he was a loving father who touched the lives of everybody who came across him, adding that , “God greatly blessed our father and together with his wife, they elevated philanthropy to a foundation that reached out to people from all walks of life”.
Asides the tribute showered on the deceased, famous gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo took praise worship to a new height as she led the audience to worship God. Also minstrels like Oma Pitch, Lemuel Iyalla, Sodienye O’mailey, and Ibifuro Olungwe, gave solo performances in worship of God.
In his sermon taken from Psalm 39:4 “Lord, make me know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am,” the officiating minister and President, Christian Council of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr. Benebo Fubara-Manuel, harped on the need to good at all times and not allow challenges of life to harden our hearty to doing good.
Fubara-Manuel, who is also the Vice President, Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa, praised the deceased for his philanthropy and kind-heartedness, pointing out that he used his resources to affect humanity in so many positive ways.
Among those at the service of songs include former Governor of Rivers State, Sir (Dr) Peter Odili; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe; former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN; Senator Magnus Abe, former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Onueze Okocha; Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo; Dr. Etim Okon, Chairman of Cross River State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Leslie Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo kingdom; Damian Dodo, SAN; King Joshua Igbaguru, the pioneer chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council; clergy, amongst others.
Boat Regatta
On Friday, March 12, his mortal remains arrived Port Harcourt. The Head of Young Briggs House and Chief Mourner, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, joined by other family members, were on hand to receive the body at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
The convoy later moved to Buguma, headquarters of Asari Toru LGA for a brief stopover before transporting the mortal remains via the sea to Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku Toru LGA amidst boat regatta from different houses and groups. The atmosphere in Abonnema became charged when all sighted the boat conveying the corpse from Buguma.
Christian Wake
At the Christian Wake, a magnificent stage hosted the mass choir for the which featured a full church service, the 200-man choir and other harmonious groups from the community. Tearful Tributes were given by the Staff of Monipolo and from the children to round off the Christian wake.
Then the live bands took over with the good old time MC Sagastus, and several entertainers of yore who reigned in famous hangouts and nightclubs. They included Sir Perry of the Ozigizaga fame; Rastaman Bob Kelly, the reggae master who rolled out Bob Marley tunes including the famous ‘One Love”; Baba Tony Grey who sent the audience down memory lane as he thrilled with his konga and rendered some famous Rex Lawson tunes; Chief Elenwa of the Garden City Band; Positive Man and Captain Hart, who belted out several old Ghana classics made popular by JB Danquah and Henshaw, amongst others.
Funeral Ceremony
On Saturday, March 13, the funeral ceremony held and torrents of tributes poured in from former
President Goodluck Jonathan; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; and First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari; among others, who described the deceased as a blessing to humanity as the service was conducted by eminent men of God across various denominations.
Early enough, the procession from the Oruwari Briggs House to the venue for funeral service was a show love and admiration for one of its own.
In his homily at the funeral service, the Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Supervising Pastor for Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Pastor Belemina Obunge spoke of the need to set priorities in life and for such purpose to be fulfilled.
Quoting scriptures from John 4:13-14 and Ephesians 2:10, Obunge, who is also RCCG’s International Youth Pastor, spoke of the need to create positive impact while alive, adding that such legacies have to be something unforgettable, just as he tasked those present to leave behind positive legacies like the late O.B Lulu-Briggs, stressing that “we must inspire others and have a purpose to be like Christ”.
In her tribute to the deceased, wife of Nigeria’s President, Hajia Aisha Buhari praised the philanthropic gestures of late O.B Lulu-Briggs, who she said was quite close to the first family.
Hajia Buhari, represented wife of Minister of State (Petroleum), Mrs Alayingi Timpre-Sylva, tasked the family to take solace in the fact that they were capable of keeping the flag flying and prayed God to bless and give the family peace.
Nigeria’s former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan went down memory lane, recalling how he came in contact with the late Lulu-Briggs, pointing out that it was sad losing him.
He stressed that the deceased, who was a father to all, touched lives in so many ways, just as he prayed for Dumo Lulu-Briggs and his siblings to be able to fit into the legacies their father left behind.
Humbled by the outpour of show of love from dignitaries across all divides, the chief mourner, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs expressed deep gratitude and promised to do all within their powers to sustain their father’s legacies.
Dignitaries that attended the occasion include Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo; former Cross Rivers State Governor, Donald Duke; former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi (represented by Dr Dawari George), Ministers of State (Petroleum), Timipre Slyva and his Mines and Steel counterpart, Dr Uche Ogah; Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo and former Managing Directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaible, Joi Nunieh and Bassey Henshaw.
Others include Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, HRM, King Dandeson Jaja; Chairman of Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, Dr Dr. Edet Okon Etim; Managing Directors of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo and his Access Bank counterpart, Herbert Wiggwe; Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bobmanuel; Ambassador of Nigeria to Jamaica, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno; wife of former Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs Margret Alamieyeseigha; immediate past Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, among others.
Defender of the Christian Faith
Born in 1930, late Lulu-Briggs elevated philanthropy to the status of an admirable act even before he founded the O.B Lulu-Briggs Foundation in 2001. He devoted a part of his resources to the service of the church, where he provided financial assistance to churches and assisted in building of church projects all over Nigeria.
In his later life, Opuda, as he was fondly called, committed himself to evangelism using the platform of the O.B Lulu-Briggs Campaign For Christ to spread the word of God to chiefs and royal fathers in Rivers State. For his commitment to the work of God, the Communion of Pentecostal Bishops (CPB) bestowed on him with the honour of Defender of the Christian Faith.
