Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The cold hand of death struck as rhe paramount ruler of Seimbiri kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta state, HRM King (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu (JP) OFR, passed away, age 75 years.
Untill his death, Ayemi-Botu was first elected national executive chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and life patron of the body, was born on January 18, 1948 at Okpokunou in the then Western Ijaw.
Confirming the death of the monarch, a member of the royal family told newsmen that:
“Papa reigned for 29 years having ascended the throne on April 4, 1995 when he was presented with the staff of office by the then military administrator of Delta state, Group Captain Ibrahim Kefas (rtd) after being crowned in April 2, 1994 in line with the customs and tradition of Seimbiri Kingdom.
Announcing the demise of the monarch officially, the spokesman of the Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs in Seimbiri Kingdom, Alexander Ebisine during a meeting of the chiefs, community leaders, clans heads, quarter representatives, youths and women group as well as the immediate and family members of the monarch, the entire kingdom has declared a three-month mourning during which there shall be no social activities such as marriages and burials throughout the mourning period.
According to the spokesman, HRM Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu popularly known as “Lion Of Niger”, joined his ancestors peacefully in October, 5, 2023.