The October 1 coronation of HRH Sunday Azavonya Otaru was an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Etuno people of Akoko-Edo Local Government, Edo State.
As chief custodian of the traditional roles and cultural elements of the Anonyete Clan of Igarra, the ceremony exhibited Igarra cultural performances and rites last seen 30 years ago during coronation of his predecessor.
In his speech after the rites of installation and conferment of title of office were performed by Igu, the oldest man in the clan, Otaru congratulated Anonyete, Eziobe Group of clans and Igarra people at home and in the diaspora.
He promised to leverage on the powers of his office to pursue genuine peace founded on social justice and equity among Igarra residents.
The monarch went down memory lane as he gave a chronological list of his predecessors beginning from the 1750s date of Etuno people’s arrival.
He said: “I am the 19th Oshemdase.
‘’The stool is rotated among the four Anonyete houses of Ava, Eshi, Odumoro and Akada in that primogeniture order. The Oshemdase Ooreyins we have had are:
“HRH Onyete Onize I, the Igu regent: 1751 – 59, HRH Omuya Ananyiyi (Ava): 1759 – 68, HRH Oshi Obani Irekura (Eshi): 1768 – 82, HRH Mallam Dauda Oshida (Akada): 1782 – 98, HRH Adavize Attah I (Odumoro) 1798 – 1807, HRH Ozavogu Adinoyi (Ava): 1807 – 20, HRH Ananywureyi Oshida (Eshi): 1820 – 32, HRH Onyete (Akada): 1832 – 42, HRH Enyianyina Oveve I (Odumoro): 1842 – 51, HRH Oveve Ananyiyi (Eziava): 1851 – 65.
‘’HRH Ozioshinoi Ooreyin (Eshi): 1865 – 80, HRH Onyete Izevisayi (Akada) 1880 – 1894, HRH Ozigu Onyete Atavio (Eshi):1894 – 1919, HRH Ogbodo Yamah (Eshi): 1919 – 41, HRH Daudu Aweh Afeziri Umandoko (Ava): 1941- 73.
‘’HRH Johnson Obende Akande JP (Eshi) 1973 – 80, HRH Jacob Sanu Ajayi JP (Odumoro): 1980 – 91, HRH Gabriel Olorunfemi Ojo Ashipa JP (Akada) from 1991 – 2022 and myself of Ava House.
Giving an autobiography, the monarch said: “I was born a little over 60 years ago to Chief Egure Okasime Otaru. who, like his father (Chief Egure Oshemdase Otaru), was a prominent Anonyete son. My mother, Mrs Florence Otaru, has also died.
“I attended St. John’s Primary School, Uffa, Igarra; and Federal Government College, Jos; got a BSc in Industrial Chemistry from University of Benin. I hold two Masters – MBA and MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from University of Ibadan.
‘’While my BSc afforded me careers in cognate industries by which I made impact, especially in edible oils production and distribution, my Masters qualified me as member of Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).
‘’I am married and blessed with children and grandchildren.”