The Magnificent Display That Was King Gininwa's Farewell

 

By John Ollor Obe.

The King of Tai, His Royal Majesty King Godwin Ndonake Kenneth Gininwa, the Gbenemene Tai Kingdom VI, the supreme ruler of the Korokoro Community, has been buried. In addition, he served as the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers until his death and as the former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers. The event, which drew participants from a variety of backgrounds, including well-known politicians, clergy, church organizations, and traditional chiefs, started on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and culminated in the burial on Saturday, March 29, in Korokoro-Tai, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State.

On Saturday, March 29, in addition to the primary location at the Tua-Tua Community Secondary School field, the town was crowded with satellite funeral venues that provided a range of entertainment, including lively masquerades, live musical bands, and ethnic dances.

A colorful procession with decorated horses, uniformed riders, and a lively ceremonial marching band made its way from the king's palace to the main funeral location. At its center was a stunning cart carrying King Giniwa's casket, surrounded by a colorful retinue of family members and groups.

The Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, the Babbe Council of Chiefs and Elders, the Tai Local Government Area Council of Traditional Rulers, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and other dignitaries came to pay their respects.

Notable attendees included Hon. Dr. Dakuku Peterside, KAGOTE President Emmanuel Deeyah, Senator Magnus Abbe, Chairman of the National Agency for Great Green Wall, Professor Peter Mede, former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, and Professor Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, representing the State's Sole Administrator, Retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas.

The event also welcomed His Royal Highness Mene Kadilo Kabari, ruler of the ancient kingdom of Barako; Rivers South-East Senatorial District Senator Barinada Mpigi; and Chief Hon. Matthew Nunebari Dike, the former Chairman of Tai Local Government Area.
Archbishop A. S. Vurasi, Bishop Lee Nnam, Reverend Monsieur Dr. Pius Kii, Bishop Lazarus Azia, Bishop Sunday Ngbanwi, Archbishop Richard Nkeekpo, Prelate N. S. Goa, Venerable Vincent Indiigbo, Canon Justice Mpia, and Reverend S. T. N. Lenee were among the many clergymen who served as officiants.

The anchorman with assistance from seasoned journalist Mr. Parry Saroh Benson, the show was directed by renowned broadcaster Mr. Segun Owolabi. In addition to Bishop Lazarus Azia's orders, they collectively offered perceptive criticism on all facets of the proceedings.

The first bible reading was given by Chief Dr. Prince Godwin Nwimene Gininwa, son of the late King and Chief Mourner.

The biography of King Gininwa, who was born on September 19, 1939, into Chief Samuel Aminikpo Gininwa's royal family, was recited by Master Gbenene Gininwa. A visionary leader committed to community development was King Gininwa. He started out as a Shell contractor and philanthropically funded people to get doctoral degrees. He took the kingship in 1976 and went on to become the Executive Chairman of Metalloplastica Nigeria Ltd. In 2004, he was promoted to the position of first-class traditional ruler.

President Obasanjo named him to the UNEP-Federal Government and Ogoni Presidential Implementation Committee, and he held important advisory positions in the Rivers State government. In 2012, he was appointed Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and President Jonathan honored him with the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) title. His achievements were further acknowledged by Governor Wike, who awarded him the Rivers State Distinguished Service Star (DSSRS).
On October 6, 2022, King Gininwa passed away at the age of 83, ending his reign and leaving a long history of service and leadership.

In his moving sermon on the universal inevitability of death, Archbishop A. S. Vurasi drew on the wisdom of Psalm 90:3—which reminds mourners of the transient significance of earthly possessions in the face of man’s mortality—and Ecclesiastes 8—which emphasizes man’s lack of control over death. In a heartfelt conclusion, he invoked the teachings of Thessalonians 4:13, reminding those in attendance that “we enter and depart this world in the same vulnerable state — naked.” His words powerfully captured the fleeting nature of human existence and the ephemeral quality of material things, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

Prominent people were given the opportunity to provide their eulogies of the deceased king, considering the special moments and significant accomplishments that characterized his rule.

Senator Barinada Mpigi provided a vivid picture of King Gininwa in his eulogy, referring to him as “a tourist centre” in a figurative sense, highlighting the monarch’s charismatic personality and power that attracted people to him. King Gininwa personally handed the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report to President Buhari, a momentous gesture that has led to the Ogoni region's current access to clean drinking water. He emphasized the king's crucial role in environmental activism. He emphasized the support and strength that the grieving family may find in one another and urged them to "stay together" as a single entity.

Professor Ibibia Worika highlighted King Gininwa's theory of intercommunal interdependence. He emphasized the King's conviction that collaboration with others should be encouraged in addition to his own community. "King Gininwa believes that his community is interdependent with other communities, in addition to focusing on his own," he said. In order to foster peace and development in Tai and the larger Rivers State area, Worika asked people to love their neighbors.

King Gininwa's extraordinary generosity, which went beyond the Tai, Ogoni, and Rivers State territories, was commended by former Senator George Thompson Sekibo.

In addition to recalling a pivotal moment in 1987 when King Gininwa effectively arbitrated a complicated dispute over political representation between the Ogu people and their relatives from the larger Wakirike group, he described the monarch as having Solomonic wisdom. Sekibo highlighted the king's two tenets: "Live and let live" and "Be your brother's keeper."

Speaking to the departed King, Senator Magnus Abbe said, "We're proud of you!" and characterized the day as fantastic. "Stay united and continue to honor your father's memory," he advised the grieving family.

Speaking of the king's special qualities, Dr. John Bazia, the chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the burial, disclosed, "He was the chairman of my father's burial committee; today, I am the chairman of his own burial committee," with a feeling of satisfaction.

The Karikpo masquerades made an appearance in their usual splendor, enthralling spectators with their amazing somersaults, to further heighten the joyful mood. Once more, the Koo Socio-Cultural Group of the Ogoni Kingdom enthralled the audience with their presentations. These stunning maidens, dressed in short waists and coral beads, performed a captivating routine that left the audience in awe.

Archbishop Richard Nkeekpo offered a sincere prayer to end the event.  The deceased king was then laid to rest after the last rites were carried out in a mournful procession that led the grieving to the gravesite.

John Ollor Obe