Opobo Bids Its Iconic Son, Peterside Farewell

Amid an atmosphere of conviviality, pomp and pageantry, the ancient Opobo kingdom, yesterday, bid a final farewell to its iconic son, Alabo Michael Atowari Peterside. The burial of Peterside, who many reverence as the modern day king Jaja of Opobo, ends a weeklong celebration of life of the first specialist ophthalmologist of Rivers State extraction.

Before his coffin was carried in procession through streets of Opobo, a day vigil was first held at the Peterside expansive ancestral family compound with his son, chairman of Stanic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside, in attendance.

Shortly after the St. Paul Anglican Church bells tolled to signal the start of the procession, the Amanyanabo of Opobo kingdom, king Danidsion Jaja, who led the procession, accompanied by his chiefs dressed in traditional clothes, walked into the church premises with a man hoisting a large Sunju Peterside war canoe house red, yellow and blue flag, while the pall bearers trailed behind with the coffin of the late Peterside.

Though the event was not a state funeral, the Amanyanabo of Opobo, who led the procession members of all Opobo royalties, added regality to the ceremony, which has not been experienced in Opobo in recent times. As the procession arrived at St Paul’s Church, there was warm applause from crowds, and his son, Atedo Peterside, walked ahead of the coffin as it entered the church where guests had gathered to bid their final farewell.