When Professor Sebastine Hon packed his law books alongside his wig and gown as he departed a quiet rural community on the Mambila Plateau, Taraba State for Rivers State in 2007, he could hardly have foreseen the path that lay ahead.

Two Niger Delta professionals, who insisted that a man of his intellect and legal brilliance deserved a broader stage, encouraged him to leave what they described as the “bush country.”

Nineteen years later, that leap of faith has evolved into a compelling story of professional distinction, cultural embrace, and honour earned far from home in a land he now describes as warm, welcoming and deeply accommodating.

Today, Hon is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a Professor of Law, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State, and a prospective governorship contender in his home state of Benue.

Last Saturday, his cap of honours received yet another feather. He was conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Nsa Nsebo I of Aleto, the largest host community of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Company Limited, the multibillion-dollar fertiliser and petrochemical giant in Eleme, Rivers State.

The colourful ceremony took place at the Elera Obari Palace grounds of the Oneh-Eh Eleme XI, His Royal Majesty Philip Osaro Obele. It drew members of the Eleme Traditional Council, a high-powered delegation from Benue State, dignitaries from across Rivers, and a large gathering of Eleme and Benue indigenes resident in the state.

Explaining the significance of the title, King Philip Obele said Nsa Nsebo symbolises “a shining light that gives direction to the people,” adding: “This shows that Hon, in his relationship with Aleto, has guided and shown us the right way. No wonder the people of Aleto and Prof. Hon are glued together like Siamese twins.”

Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony were King Appolus Chu, the Oneh-Eh Nchia and Egbere Emere Okori Eleme; the Paramount Ruler of Choba, Nyeweli Raymond Okocha; family members, family, friends and associates of the honouree from across the country.

Tracing the roots of the relationship, King Obele recalled that Aleto first engaged Hon as its legal adviser in 2008.

When Prof. Sebastine Hon packed his law books alongside his wig and gown and departed a quiet rural community on the Mambila Plateau for Rivers State in 2007, he could hardly have foreseen the path that lay ahead.

Two Niger Delta professionals, who insisted  that a man of his intellect and legal brilliance deserved a broader stage, encouraged him to leave what they described as the “bush country.”
Nineteen years later, that leap of faith has evolved into a compelling story of professional distinction, cultural embrace, and honour earned far from home  in a land he now describes as warm, welcoming and deeply accommodating.

Today, Hon is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a Professor of Law, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State, and a prospective governorship contender in his home state of Benue.

Last Saturday, his cap of honours received yet another feather. He was conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Nsa Nsebo I of Aleto, the largest host community of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Company Limited, the multibillion-dollar fertiliser and petrochemical giant in Eleme, Rivers State.

The colourful ceremony took place at the Elera Obari Palace grounds of the Oneh-Eh Eleme XI, His Royal Majesty Philip Osaro Obele. It drew members of the Eleme Traditional Council, a high-powered delegation from Benue State, dignitaries from across Rivers, and a large gathering of Eleme and Benue indigenes resident in the state.

Explaining the significance of the title, King Philip Obele said Nsa Nsebo symbolises “a shining light that gives direction to the people,” adding: “This shows that Hon, in his relationship with Aleto, has guided and shown us the right way. No wonder the people of Aleto and Prof. Hon are glued together like Siamese twins.”

Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony were King Appolus Chu, the Oneh-Eh Nchia and Egbere Emere Okori Eleme; the Paramount Ruler of Choba, Nyeweli Raymond Okocha; family members, family, friends and associates of the honouree from across the country.

Tracing the roots of the relationship, King Obele recalled that Aleto first engaged Hon as its legal adviser in 2008.
“Since that time, you have stood firmly with us, offering guidance, wise counsel and encouragement whenever the need arose. You have become a strong pillar in our community. Your loyalty and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on our people,” the king said.

He added that the relationship had grown beyond professional boundaries into one of deep friendship and mutual respect.
“We are proud to call you not only a friend of Aleto Clan, but a member of this community — one of us.”
The monarch noted that Hon had built bridges across ethnic divides, successfully connecting his Benue roots with his Eleme host community.

“Your humanitarian and philanthropic gestures to those in need have distinguished you and marked you out for this honour,” he added.

In his response, Hon described his migration to Rivers State as one of the greatest blessings of his life.
“Today marks a very special day for me. We are not from here; we are not from Eleme; we are not from Rivers State. But today, we have been given the privilege of becoming a chief in Aleto. God bless Aleto; God bless Eleme Kingdom. The respect here is deep; the respect here is permanently etched on my humble heart. I don’t know what to say.”

He recalled how Victor Abo from Ahoada and Jasper Kakache from Delta State — both then management staff of Sgen Limited, a construction company building a dam in Mambila, Taraba State — persuaded him to relocate.

“They told me, ‘O’boy, you are too brilliant to stay in this bush. We are taking you to Port Harcourt,’” he recounted.
Hon said followed them and squatted with one of them for a year in Port Harcourt as he began rebuilding his career.
“Today, my eyes are almost teary. I became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in Port Harcourt.”

In a symbolic gesture, he donated volumes of books he authored in Port Harcourt to Aleto community to form the foundation of a library.

“I became SAN on account of writing these books in Port Harcourt. Rivers State is my second home. Rivers people, hear me loud and clear — this is my second home,” he said.