By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The adage that says “a prophet is not recognized in his hometown”, was jettisoned penultimate December 27th, 2024, in Biajua community in Boki local government area of Cross River state.
The ceremony was the coronation of two illustrious son and daughter of Biajua with the highest chieftaincy titles of “King and Queen” by Biajua in Diaspora Association for their numerous contributions in cash and kind which had elevated the status of Biajua community over the years.
The two personalities are Sunday Obi Enu and Mama Patricia Bedebe as “Otu Oshie Bowang 11 Biajua and Ofeleh Onyiyi Biajua Mbeh Keji” respectively.
The colourful event saw the two personalities been decorated in their traditional outfits as both the chiefs and well wishers applauded in admiration.
Prophet Sunday Obi Enu, is now the Monarch in Biajua community while Chief Patricia Bedebe is the Queen.
Obi Enu, the General Overseer of God’s Arena Of Liberty (GOAL), is the founder of Biajua in Diaspora Association which had brought a number of developments in Biajua today,
In a brief history of Biajua in Diaspora Association, Pst. Mrs. Enyang Alice Omole, one time welfare chair person Biajua in Diaspora, and now a Matron narrated the journey thus far.
“On the 27 day of December 2024 Prophet Sunday Enu Obi the President and Founder of God’s Arena Of Liberty Calabar, who happened to be a crowned Chief in his community Biajua in Boki local government in Cross River state before he answered the call of God and left Biajua community for greener pastures and finally answered the call to work in God’s vineyard”.
She continued, “while working in God’s vineyard, he had an inspiration to open a platform called Great Biajua in Diaspora thereby bringing together almost 200 young men and women including the advanced people who were also in Diaspora both abroad and in Nigeria to plan and bring development to the community.”
“He became the Diaspora chairman from 2021 to 2023 December and his tenure elapsed according to the constitution and the Diaspora community decided that he should hold another term for 3 years before they can bring in another chairman but he refused and said he wants to face his Ministry without distraction”.
The association accepted and made him the Patron
During his first year tenure, he and all Diaspora member’s agreed to form what they called annual meeting with the community on every 28th of December to review what and what achievement we have recorded during the period under review.
The first time, they took a bold step to make sure that peace returned to the community between our son Francis Ojong Agbor and the community.
This followed with the introductions of solar street lights round the entire community as we speak.
He had given job opportunities to our young men who needed job with the help of God, paid hospital bills to many who were hospitalized, paid school fees and took care of many that were stranded and needed help to mention but a few.
Mrs. Omole recalled “when we had some challenges with our sister community which resulted to war, he stood tall to defend the community until peace returned”.
“As a result of all his achievements while in office and when he handed over to the next person, he did not withdraw his good doings so the Diaspora now came up with this understanding that they want to honour him by giving him another chieftancy title Otu Otuap2 of Biajua both in Diaspora and the community”.
She recalled his role when Biajua communities were shifted to Cameron but he fought, with God on his side and returned Biajua back to Nigeria.
“Otuap2 means the Chief who is supportive to everyone with challenges in all ramification. They had one before so, he is the second that came up again to show great passion for his community”.
Mama Patricia Owan Bedebe lives in Italy but has also shown great concern whenever a matter comes up. She has been up and doing also putting effort in contributing big to move the organization forward.
She now becomes Ofele Onyinyi Otuap2 of Biajua.
Earlier, Hon. Francis Ojong Agbor, a one time aspirant in the just concluded local government chairmanship election performed the crowning exercise as they Chiefs concur in unionism. He is also crowned with a tittle “Otuap 1 of Boki”.
In his welcome remarks, Rev. Phillip Akobor, described the occasion as “a significant milestone in the history of our community, as we gather to celebrate the ascension of our new Chiefs to their rightful positions”.
“This momentous occasion is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and tradition of our people, he added”.
According to him, “this occasion is particularly historic, as it marks the first coronation ceremony in the history of our association. Furthermore, the correlated chains of event leading up to this moment are also a first in our association’s history “.
He congratulated the newly crowned Chiefs and prayed that their reign be marked by wisdom, peace, and prosperity for the entire community.
In an interview, Prophet Sunday Obi Enu, General Overseer of God’s Arena Of Liberty, thanked God for choosing him amongst many in the community.
The significance of the occasion like you heard, is that Biajua in Diaspora Association decided to honour their members who have helped to develop this community and have assisted the community in many ways.
“The two of us have really put a lot of our resources and intellect towards the development of this community over the years. We have spent in millions to fix street lights all over the community, we have given scholarships, we have built the Town hall for the community etc, he said”.
“What you see today is in appreciation for what we have been able to do for the community over the years for both the community in Diaspora clora and those at home. These are the reasons why we have been coronated new Chieftaincy titles, he noted”
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“As a Minister of God, how do you reconcile this coronation. He said most people are confused. If you go to the Bible, King David is a minister of God, and he was a King. Isaiah, Saul and Hezekiah were Kings. Recently I saw a Paramount who happened to be a Catholic Priest who came for a program in Calabar. He came and put his cap aside and the spirit of God was moving”.
“It is even good, like the Word of God says, when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice that all I know about being a minister of God and a King in my community”.
Prophet Sunday Obi Enu advised the people to emulate him by bringing development to the community wherever they may find themselves.
“It is clarion call to the people to emulate my footsteps instead of continuing in bribery and corruption that had eaten deep into the fabrics of our society”.
He advised the youth in his community to seek the face God, fear God and to be straight forward in all their dealings.
Also speaking, Chief Patricia Owan Bedebe says the coronation meant a lot to her and the family. It is a thing of joy to be honored and recognized by my people.
I was honoured as Ofeleh Onyiyi Biajua Mbeh Keji” of Biajua in Diaspora, meaning a woman with capacity. It is a memorable occasion.
“I have done a lot in this community. I have supported in bringing a lot of projects in this community under Biajua in Diaspora. It runs in millions of Naira, she added”.
It was a successful ceremony to the glory of God.
