‘It has been well with me… on the throne since 1946’
World’s second-longest ruling monarch remembers, thanks God , 64 years on.
IN the comfort of his palace, Agbogidi Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi 11, Obi of Idumuje Unor, in Aniocha North Local Council of Delta State, last week told The Guardian: “It has been well with me.”
The truth of Obi Anyasi’s statement becomes glaring when it is realised that, today, at well over 86 years of age, he is the second-longest reigning monarch in the world after King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
While the Thai King who will be 79 on December 5, ascended the throne on June 9, 1946, aged 19, his Idumuje Unor counterpart was crowned on October 9, 1946, at the tender age of 22.
Nothing in the beginning indicated that Agbogidi James Anyasi’s future could be bright.His mother, Akwamuzo, the first of two wives was pregnant when his father, Obi Anyasi 1, died during a performance at the Ogbanigbe Festival in 1924.
His young mother, a daughter of the Obi of Ukwunzu and now a widow, had to leave the palace, and went back to her father who took care of her till she gave birth on March 6, 1924, to James Ikechukwu Anyasi
On hearing from Ukwunzu of the birth, the Regent at Idumuje Unor, Onwoche Ojeifo and the people performed rites of the first born for the little prince and successor to the Adonoje dynasty. At the age of 10, he was sent to the CMS School, Okwunzu between 1937 and 1938 before his mother took him away to Kafanchan.
“With no father to lean on, it was not easy,” he told The Guardian, a frown creasing his wizened face as he remembered.
From Kafanchan where he attended Holy Trinity School, he headed to Port Harcourt and back to Okwunzu.Unable to cope with life in the village, he left for Burutu and then Lagos.His mother had told him: “You are the rightful heir to the throne of Idumuje Unor,” and he felt that going by his noble birth, he was supposed to have a good life instead of having it lonely and tough.
Sometime in 1945, he wrote a letter to the community demanding to know if they were aware that he was the rightful claimant to the throne.“I wrote the letter through the District Officer, Mr. Atkinson, at Asaba following which he personally came to Idumuje Unor to inquire about me.
“He wrote back on May 18, 1945 telling me he had visited Idumuje Unor and that the people did not know me.
He said if I had any claim to the throne, I should state so to the Village Council.”
But it was not easy ascending the throne, as there were several pretenders to the throne until the District Officer, Mr. R. M. Haig confirmed the veracity of his claim as supported by the regent, Onwoche Ojeifo.
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