In a grand ceremony held over the weekend, Sienye Lulu-Briggs, chairman of the Board of Directors of O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, has been honoured with the esteemed chieftaincy title of Ununwe Gwoduma Emene of Ekpeye Land by Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty Sir Kelvin Anugwo.
This title, which translates to ‘The Woman that Heals Ekpeye People’, was bestowed upon Seinye Lulu-Briggs in recognition of her substantial contributions to the development and well-being of the Ekpeye Kingdom.
The ceremony took place at the King’s palace in Ula-Upata, Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State, and was attended by local dignitaries, community members, and well-wishers.
Eze Ekpeye Logbo III praised Dr. Lulu-Briggs for her philanthropic efforts, particularly the numerous medical outreach programs and life-saving surgeries facilitated by the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation in the Ekpeye community.
“I am elevating your stool from a titled Chief in Ekpeye to High Chief,” declared the King. “We assure you of our support. We have adopted you as our daughter. After your installation today as our High Chief, you will have a voice in Ekpeye Nation, and you will have rights. See an Ekpeye man and woman as your brother and as your sister, just as we see you.”
As part of the chieftaincy conferment, Eze Ekpeye Logbo presented Dr. Lulu-Briggs with a deed of conveyance for three plots of land, a gesture aimed at further integrating her into the Ekpeye community.
In her response, Dr. Lulu-Briggs expressed deep gratitude for the honour and unveiled plans to utilise the land for a recreational center for senior citizens and a safe shelter for battered women.
Her words, “The plan and the model of the building that you see here is a reaction to your action,” Dr. Lulu-Briggs said, addressing the King. “You shocked and surprised me with the gift of land. The spirit of God put in my heart to open a recreational center for the senior citizens of Ekpeye Kingdom. The center will also serve as a shelter for women in distress, providing them a safe place to stay for the night.”
Dr. Lulu-Briggs also presented gifts to the King as a token of her appreciation. The ceremony included traditional rites where the King adorned her with beads, a crown-like head cover, and a horse tail staff of office, symbolizing her new status and responsibilities as a High Chief in Ekpeye Kingdom.
The chieftaincy title acknowledges Dr. Lulu-Briggs’ past contributions and also signifies her ongoing commitment to the development of Ekpeye Kingdom. Her elevation to High Chief and the land gift marked a new chapter in her relationship with the community, promising further development and support for the people of Ekpeye.
The event, which drew attendance from across Nigeria, spoke to the impact of Dr. Lulu-Briggs’ philanthropic work and her dedication to improving the lives across Nigeria through the initiatives of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation.