Delta teenage king returns to UK varsity

Nigeria’s youngest mon­arch, Obi Chukwu­ka Noah Ofulue, Obi Akaeze I of Ubulu Uku in Delta State is returning to the United Kingdom (UK) to continue his university education.

The 17-year-old tradition­al ruler disclosed this on Mon­day when monarchs in Aniocha South Local Government, led by Obi Afamefuna Kikachuk­wu, the Obi of Ubulu Uno, held a meeting with him to welcome him into the Traditional Rulers’ Council.

In his absence, the tradi­tional rulers agreed to appoint his uncle as the Regent to hold fort until Obi Ofolue completes his education and ascends the throne of his father, who was killed by kidnappers.

The meeting, which was held at the local government secretar­iat, had in attendance 10 tradi­tional rulers and other junior chiefs and well-wishers from the council.

Kikachukwu said: “First of all, you all are aware of the sad thing that happened to us, but after the unfortunate incident that took pace and after we have installed a new Obi, it is my duty to introduce him to the existing traditional institution which we have done. He has met his col­leagues and they have blessed him. There are other procedures we must take in order to gazette the position. But you cannot do those things without doing the ones we have done now. We are doing it step by step. We will summon another meeting to complete the process.

“As the chairman, I will be monitoring it to see that it goes smoothly. He (the new mon­arch) may not be available since he is going back to school. Someone, a Regent will be avail­able until he is back. But what I know is that he is the Obi of Ub­ulu Uku,” he said.

Obi Kikachukwu hinted that the chiefs will meet with Gover­nor Ifeanyi Okowa today on the development.

In his response, Obi Akaeze pledged that he would allow the monarchs to guide him, adding that: “This is a difficult period for us, but we are looking unto God to be with us.”

He said that he will be re­turning to the university in the United Kingdom to complete his education before he will return home to take full charge of the throne.

Obi Akaeze I, who has been adjudged the youngest King in Nigeria said: “I am honoured to be in your midst and need your assistance. I wish to thank you, on behalf of my family.”

Responding on behalf of the Ubulu Uku Tradition­al Council, Chief Nwabuoku said: “Our Obi is young, and we are pleading that you the older kings should guide him and teach him the ways of the Obis. We thank the council, and the Umu ada. We were not prepared enough when this in­vitation was given, but we de­cided to come out the way we are. We will be meeting and we will keep praying that he will rule well.”

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