BIRTHDAY WISHES TO HIS ROYAL MAJESTY DR. BENJAMIN IKENCHUKU, KEAGBOREKUZI 1

BIRTHDAY WISHES TO MY KING, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY DR. BENJAMIN IKENCHUKU, KEAGBOREKUZI 1, THE DEIN OF AGBOR KINGDOMBy Ewere Okonta

www.ewereokonta.com

I truly love my people from the depth of my heart. But I do not like lies. I do not like it when people say bad things about their own brothers or sisters. If you see your brother or sister doing something wrong stop him or her. If you see your brother or sister in trouble, do something to help him or her. As long as all these are done, Agbor will continue to grow from strength to strength. There is no need for the people to work against each other”

Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku, Dein of Agbor Kingdom.
On the occasion of His Royal Majesty Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku, Keagborekuzi 1, Dein of Agbor Kingdom, birthday; we, at Ewere Okonta Blogs (EOB) extend our heartfelt wishes for the best of health and happiness to His Majesty.
With gratitude, we pray for the protection and prosperity of our beloved Kingdom and our people under your wise and sincere leadership.
His Royal Majesty Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku (keagborekuzi 1) is the traditional ruler of Agbor. He is the 18th King of the kingdom.
Agbor is a city in the oil rich Delta State, Nigeria.
It has a population of about 67,000.
Agbor is located at 6.25375 (latitude in decimal degrees), 6.1942 (longitude in decimal degrees) at an average elevation of 130 meters.
His Royal Majesty goes by the name, Dein of Agbor Kingdom.
Born on the 29th June, 1977, suddenly his father; the King of Agbor Kingdom died in 1979 and the young Benjamin who was only 28 months old, became the King.
The Guinness Book of World Records (1980) featured him as the youngest king in the world.
Immediately after his coronation, the young King was taken to England. A regent was installed to look after the traditions and culture of the people of Agbor.
The young King as a baptized Catholic, he attended a Catholic school in Kent. Later went to College in Surrey and studied at Birbeck College in London.
He returned to Nigeria after his graduation in 2000 to take over the throne of his forefathers.

THE KING’S PASSION FOR EDUCATION:
In 2006, President Obasanjo appointed him the Chancellor of University of Ilorin, thus making him, at 29, the youngest Chancellor of any University – public or private –in all of Africa.
He has this to say about Education: “There is no child that does not want to learn. But let’s also have teachers that are interested in their jobs. I am an apostle of discipline and Education.”

To underscore his love for Education, he founded the Agbor Youth Learning, Development and Empowerment Center.

THE KING AND HIS LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE
As a traditional ruler, though with no constitutional powers, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku (Keagborekuzi 1) takes his role as a custodian of culture very seriously and the people of Agbor Kingdom admire his passion, commitment and his burning desire to have a positive influence on his kingdom.

The Delta State Government once named him Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council, thus becoming, at his age, the youngest traditional ruler to hold such a position.

Hear him in his own words “I truly love my people from the depth of my heart. I do not like lies. I do not like it when people say bad things about their own brothers and sisters. If you see your brother or sister doing something wrong stop him or her. If you see your brother or your sister in trouble, do something to help him or her. As long as all these are done, Agbor will continue to grow from strength to strength. There is no need for people to work against each other.”

THE DEIN AS A MODERN KING
As a modernist he has introduced myriad reforms to drive Agbor kingdom safe and sound, into the next level. He has enhanced the visibility of the Kingdom at the national and international fora. He has also increase its strategic relevance in the increasingly relevant traditional institution in our ever increasingly dynamic environment.

He is one of Nigeria’s most exposed Kings, in terms of transcultural interactions.
He has been a guest of honour/guest speaker, Belgium King’s Day celebrations; guest of honour at Spanish Day celebrations and Guest of the German Embassy, during the visit of the German Chancellor to Nigeria. He was also one of the monarchs invited by the Federal Government to receive the Queen of England during her visit to Nigeria.
He is an Officer in The Order of Belgium.

In the meantime, what else can one tell our beloved Royal Majesty, in your birthday, we convey to Your Majesty our pledge of allegiance as you go forward on the path of right, with the help of God and the will of your loyal people.

Our heads will be held high, God willing, to tell the world around us that we are proud of you being our King and Leader.