The Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs in Seimbiri Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area ,has officially announced the death of HRM Pere Charles Ayemi- Botu (JP,) OFR, aka Lion of the Niger, Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom.
The Spokesman of the Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs ,Chief Alexander Ebisine made the announcement at Okpokunou, traditional headquarters of the kingdom during a meeting of the Chiefs,community leaders, clans heads, quarter representatives, youths and women group as well immediate and family members of the monarch.
To this end, the Seimbiri Traditional Council has declared a three month mourning period for the Kingdom beginning from January 5, 2024.
He said there will be no social activities such as marriages and burials throughout the mourning period.
According to the Spokesman, HRM Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu joined his ancestors peacefully on October 5,2023.
He said after the mourning period, an official date will be given for the burial ceremony of the monarch saying he was a great king who came, saw and conquered leaving behind a trail of unprecedented development in Seimbiri Kingdom during his twenty nine years reign on the throne.
“On behalf of the SEIMBIRI TRADITIONAL COUNCIL of Chiefs, I wish to officially announce the transition of our most revered Monarch, His Majesty, King (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu (JP) OFR, Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom to the great beyond to join his ancestors”.
“His Majesty, King (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu JP, OFR passed on peacefully on October 5, 2023”.
“Following the passage of our Monarch, a three month period of mourning has been declared in the Seimbiri Kingdom.”
“During this period, there will be no social activities such as marriages and burials etc, throughout the period of mourning”.
He noted that all sons and daughters of Seimbiri Kingdom at home and in the diaspora are in a mourning mood and will remain so until the final burial ceremony is completed.
Chief Ebisine said a condolence register has been opened at the palace and at his residence in Warri describing Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu as an outspoken, courageous and dogged fighter which earned him the title “Lion of the Niger”.
The Chairman of the Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs, Amb Chief T.M.O. Douglas sued for calm saying the kingdom had lost a king whose voice on issues of development of the Niger Delta could not be silenced .
He said the kingdom was in a mourning mood and advised all to maintain the sanctity of the of the passage of the Seimbiri monarch.
HRM King (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu (JP) OFR, Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom was born on January 18,1948 at Okpokunou in the then Western Ijaw.
He 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 after being crowned in April 2,1994 in line with the customs and tradition of Seimbiri Kingdom.
He was the first Executive Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and Life Patron of the body
HRM Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu was aged 75 years and is survived by wife, Queen Mary Botu, Children, Grand Children, Sister, Nephews , Nieces and many other relatives.
