BREAKING: Mosogar Kingdom Officially Announces Death Of Monarch, Declares Three Months Mourning

By Sunday Apah 

Mosogar Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State has officially announced the death of their Monarch, HRM Samson Okirhioboh Imoyin-Omene, Udurhie I, just as they declared three months of mourning over the passage of the traditional ruler. 

This was made known in a speech by Chief Ighoyota Amori, Otota of Mosogar, during a meeting of the kingdom on Saturday.

He said that the monarch died on November 21, 2021, adding that the first son of the late ruler, Prince Darwin Obukohwo Imoyin-Omene, accompanied by Chiefs/Elders of HRM’s family (Chief Felix Oboko Imoyin-Omene, Dr. Wilson Odafe Imoyin-Omene amongst others) came to formerly informed him that HRM, Samson Okirihioboh Imoyin-Omene Udurhie 1 had heeded and accepted the invitation of his ancestors by joining them where he hoped to continue his life outside this physical planet earth.

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He said that following the sad news, a period of three months mourning, beginning from December 18, 2021, had been declared which must be observed by all sons and daughters of Mosogar Kingcdom wherever and anywhere they were in the world.

According to him, “within this period of mourning, no burial ceremony is allowed to take place anywhere in the kingdom; no marriage ceremony/celebration is permitted within the kingdom; no festival of any sort is permitted within the kingdom.”

“The wearing of white dresses within the kingdom is forbidden and sanctionable; all traditional chiefs are forbidden from wearing single or tripled or multiple Aghighors (round beads); only two rounded beads (Aghighors) is allowed to be worn by chief’s on their neck; the kingdom flag is to be flown at half-mast in strategic places during the period of mourning in the kingdom,” he added.

“The wearing of the King’s brooch is recommended for all sons and daughters of the kingdom and their sympathisers; the Eghweyas and Inotus are to adorn their mourning dresses throughout the period; holding of markets on market days will continue, but one market day is set aside before the burial where market will not hold,” he explained further.

“No open celebration in any hotel/recreation/entertainment centres is allowed during this period of mourning; it is expected that all Mosogar sons and daughters (no matter his or her societal status) will conduct themselves peacefully by obeying and observing all the rules as already laid out in this statement, as doing otherwise will attract severe traditional punishments,” he added.

He pointed out that in line with the gazette establishing the kingdom, the affairs of the kingdom would be administered by the Ovie-in-Council with the Otota as the Acting Head in collaboration with the Oguedion Council of Elders and Chiefs until a new king was installed.

He stated further that during the interregnum, the Ovie-in-Council would perform such duties and the Otota of the Kingdom would be the Chief Spokesman of the Kingdom.

He averred that a burial committee, drawn from the entire segments of the kingdom, would be constituted soon to plan and execute the 21 days burial ceremony of the departed monarch.

He said that the creation of Mosogar Kingdom with an Ovie was not an easy one. It was a long walk to freedom. 

“Our struggle for independence/self-determination was based on our chequered history as people who migrated from Agbarha-Otor along with our neighbors from Idjerhe and Oghara Clans, at different times, while Idjerhe settled in Idjerhe, Mosogar settled in Mosogar and Oghara crossed over to settle in Oghara,” he narrated.

“By 2006, the request was approved by the House of Assembly/Executive and signed into law by His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the then Governor of Delta State, and also published in the state gazette with an Ovie as the Traditional Head and Otota (Prime Minister) as Next-in-Command in the newly created Mosogar Kingdom” he added.

“Following the creation of Mosogar Clan in 2006, and as gazetted, we now started the process of selecting and installing a king that will rule over us as provided for in the Customary Declaration Law regulating succession to the title of the Ovie of Mosogar Kingdom. After completing all the traditional processes, a new king in the person of HRM Samson Okirhioboh Imoyin-Omene was eventually installed and presented a staff of office in February, 2007 by Chief James Obori, ably represented by His Excellency, Chief B.S.E Elue, the then Deputy Governor of Delta State,” he explained further.

“Under the reign of our monarch, our kingdom witnessed lots of peace and development; the kingdom has enjoyed a lot of infrastructural developments, several new roads, schools, light, water, cottage hospitals/maternities, Customary/Magistrate Courts, appointments/promotions, oil/Gas exploration/exploitation activities etc have been witnessed in the Kingdom. He was the Vice Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council. He was a monarch of easy disposition with good listening ears,” the Otota said.

Olorogun Dr. Wilson Omene, who spoke on behalf of the family of the late monarch, expressed appreciation to the Otota of Mosogar Kingdom, Senator Amori, for organising the meeting to publicly announce the passage of the monarch, adding that they would always adhere to whatever would bring development, peace and unity to the Kingdom.

While urging the people of Mosogar Kingdom to stand and support Chief Amori in all his endeavours, Omene advised the people to always obey the law, as that was the only way justice and fair play could be at the centre stage.

Chief Jacob Ojarikre, Ugo of Mosogar Kingcdom ; Chief Abel Ogbakpah, Unuevworo of Mosogar Kingdom; Chief Sunny Okpurhe, Adjerese of Mosogar Kingcdom; Chief John Ogbereahwe, Otemu of Mosogar Kingdom; Col. O. C Okporoka, President General of Mosogar Kingdom; Engr. Christian Omene, Ambassador Scott Omene, Chief Mrs.Philomena Oyearone, Osueya of Mosogar Kingdom; Chief Solomon Oturu, Adjerese of Agbon Kingdom; Chief Solomon Obareki, Chairman, PDP, Ethiope West LGA.; Chief Christian Onogba, Commissioner for Environment, Delta State; the youths, led by their president, Comrade Oki Ebeigbe; the Eghweyas, led by Mrs. Margret Edesegba; Prince Darwin Omene, Prince Fabian Omene, Chief Abraham Bobor, Chief Freeborn Nana and many others were also present during the meeting.