The Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers,has cautioned members of the Opobo royal family against engaging in disputes over the inheritance of the late Amanyanabo of Opobo and former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The governor issued the warning on Saturday during a funeral service held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in honour of the late monarch, stressing that disagreements over property could create division and instability within the family.
Fubara warned that any conflict over inheritance risks triggering chaos and disunity, urging the family to prioritise peace and unity over material possessions.
“What you inherit are assets; you don’t inherit success. You have to work for your own success.
”If you understand that, there will be no crisis in the family,” he said.
He also advised the children of the late monarch to focus on preserving his legacy rather than allowing disputes over wealth to overshadow his memory.
According to him, inheritance does not define personal achievement, noting that success must be earned individually through effort and dedication.
The governor also described the late king as a man of dignity, composure, and stability whose reign brought progress to the Opobo Kingdom.
He noted that under the monarch’s leadership, the kingdom produced prominent political figures, including a deputy governor in 1999 and himself as governor, a development he said reflected the late king’s influential legacy.
Fubara added that the funeral should be seen as a celebration of a fulfilled life rather than a moment of mourning, stating that the monarch “lived peacefully, achieved greatly, and has completed his race.”
He further urged the Amanyanabo-elect, to lead the kingdom with wisdom and focus on progress rather than attempting to replicate the exact path of his predecessor.
In a sermon during the service, the Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, , reminded worshippers of the transient nature of life, urging them to live with eternity in mind and avoid excessive pursuit of wealth.
The cleric referenced Revelation 21:1–7, emphasising that ultimate authority belongs to God and that eternal life is promised to those who accept Jesus Christ.
