In 37 Months, God Has Helped Us Make Progress – Jack-Manilla Pepple Chief Says as Construction of New Opuwari Kicks Off

The Jack-Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House of Olom Abalama (Oguede) Community in Bonny Kingdom has attributed the significant progress it has made in the last three years and one month to God Almighty; just as it kicked off the construction of a new Opuwari (community hall).

Chief and Head of the House, Se-Alabo Iganima Jack-Manilla Pepple, Ncheke IV made this attribution on Friday, September 5, 2025 during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Opuwari at Olom Abalama Community in Bonny LGA, Rivers State.

“We had a Chief that was made on that fateful day of 13th of July 2022. So, cumulatively, as Wari-Alabo and Se-Alabo of this great house, we are now three years and one month. One year, eight months as Wari-Alabo, and one year, five months as Se-Alabo.” 

Outlining the progress recorded under his stewardship, Se-Alabo Jack-Manilla Pepple listed forgiveness and reconciliation, strengthening spiritual life of the House, and promoting Bonny traditions and culture.

Other achievements by the House under his leadership, he said include creating employment opportunities, fencing the cemetery, constructing a waiting hall, completing a 12 self-contained rooms property, and renovating the existing Opuwari.

He stressed that the new edifice will not be a mere physical structure, but “a legacy for generations to come, a place that will stand as a symbol of unity, progress, and the preservation of cultural heritage.”

The groundbreaking rite was performed by the Vicar of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Abalamabie; Rev. Canon Rogers Jumbo, who also prayed for more progress to be experienced by the House.

Guests at the ceremony took turns to express their goodwill messages underscoring the significance of the project to the Jack-Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House and the wider Grand Bonny Kingdom.

These include the Chief of Protocol, Bonny Chiefs Council; Se-Alabo Golden Christy-Wilcox, President, Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly; Amaopusenibo Furosigha Wilcox, his Vice; Amaopusenibo Fred Pepple, Senior Pastor, Revelation Ministry, Bonny, Pastor Carol Benstowe, and a former member of the Bonny Legislative Assembly, Warisenibo Solomon Pollyn, amongst others.

The event, which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, family members, residents, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the advancement of the House, also featured traditional rites, cultural displays by the Morning Star Social Club of Oguede.