The day Otuabagi stood still for Prof. Teddy Charles Addias

By Tokpo Coronation

Prof. Teddy Charles Addias has become a household name in Bayelsa State, especially in academic quarters. He is adored by the old, admired by the young and positively envied by contemporaries.

It was therefore not surprising to see the men and women of no mean repute, men and women who are movers and shakers of society in Otuabagi Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State today being May 8, 2021 to honour one of their own, Prof. Charles, Teddy Addias to a grand reception.

The beautiful allure of nature, with beautiful trees, cascading an uncommon scenery of flora and fauna surrounded the venue in a community which heralded nature’s bounty of the black gold in Nigeria in 1956.

The glitz and glamour which greeted the arrival of very esteemed guests, the artistry of performers showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Ogbia people with scintillating displays of dance, songs and acrobatics characteristic of a people bound in the grace of culture rented the milieu of the event.

No less a personality than the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan arrived early enough to a rousing welcome.

Other notable dignitaries who graced the occasion were in no particular order: Chairman of the Occasion and Vice Chancellor, Bayelsa Medical University, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu;

The Chairman/CEO Azikiel Group, Hon. Chief Azibapu Eruani;

Member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the House of Reps, Hon. Fred Obuah;

Member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, House of Reps, Hon. Preye Influence Oseke,

The brand new President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba;

The Obanoban of Ogbia Kingdom, HRM King Charles Owaba and several Paramount Rulers of the Ogbia Kingdom, Chiefs, women and youths;

The Ebenanaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, Yenagoa LGA, HRM, King Bubraye Dakolo;

The Vice Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Prof. Edoumiekumo Samuel;

The immediate past Vice Chancellor, Federal University Otuoke, Prof. Seth Accra Jaja;

Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly; Hon. Meitama Obodo and Hon. Wisdom Fafi;

Former National Coordinator, Conditional Grants Scheme in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe;

Several Professors, Directors of directorates, Deans of Faculty, Heads of Department, Lecturers, none academic staff from the Federal University Otuoke and the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island all in Bayelsa State were in attendance.

Countless number of very special guests journeyed to Otuabagi to solidarize with the erudite Professor of Haematology, and expert in Blood transfusion, Prof. Teddy Charles Addias.

The popular aphorism that a Prophet is not without honour, but in his home town was temporarily suspended and in fact set aside today by the marvelous act of the grand reception the people of Otuabagi gave to our own Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Teddy Charles Addias.

The serenity of the arena, the Pius state of the youth, and most importantly, the clemency of the weather was a practical endorsement of the celestial and ecclesiastical approval of the event. It couldn’t have been any better.

Tokpo Coronation is a lecturer at the Federal University Otuoke.