The former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, Ateke Tom has received his Staff of Office as the king of Okochiri Kingdom in Rivers State.
The former militia group leader who received amnesty on October 1, 2009, from late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was crowned as the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom.
He got the crown that elevated him to the position on November 25, 2017, but did not get his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office from the Rivers state government until March 27, 2024.
While he was crowned during the tenure of Nyesom Wike as the Governor of Rivers State, the Amanyanabo received his Staff of Office 6 years later from incumbent Governor Siminlayi Fubara.
In making known the development, Governor Fubara stated “in performing one of my statutory responsibilities, I today presented the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to King Ateke Michael Tom, officially recognizing him as the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom.
The recognition is in fulfillment of our promise to elevate the stool of the ancient Okochiri Kingdom from second class to first class status as a result of King Ateke’s peaceful disposition and community development efforts.”
The made the revelations concerning the Amanayanabo on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, along with the featured pictures.
