Life and Times of King Righteous Inegbagha, Ayakoro Paramount Ruler

By Inegbagha Majesty 

Some people are born with greatness, while some through a dint of hard work, doggedness, resilience, focus and consistency become not only great and successful, but also make a mark in their existence on earth through societal development, mentoring, humanitarian service to mankind with total devotion to God Almighty.

HRH King Righteous Inegbagha, Paramount Ruler, Ayakoro Community 

In general no human on earth can ultimately spare their own death even not willing to die.

Death is considered a universal and inevitable part of human condition. All people, regardless of wealth, status or strength, will eventually face physical death.

His Royal Highness King Righteous Inegbagha, was not willing to die but yet he died inline with God's established principles.

He is dead, but his rare exemplary leadership, exceptional proven track records, indelible achievements, and his effective governance of his community will be remembered to move the community forward as  Israelmore Ayivor had said:

  " Live an exemplary life as a leader. When you are gone, you will still lead from the grave because your influence, impacts and inspirations will become an information for the living."

THE MAN King RIGHTEOUS INEGBAGHAp

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS KING RIGHTEOUS INEGBAGHA, the Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro is a pace-setter. He is development-oriented, and a man of impeccable character that has lived a rare exemplary life worthy of emulation.

He is a man of intrepid capabilities whose character is laced with significant measure of honesty, wisdom, warmth and compassion.

He is a transparently humble and pleasant personality; personification of modesty and courage, even under extremely challenging situations.

The Late Monarch is a trailblazer and is an absolute charmer, in looks and character, especially with his towering features, amiable royal posture and gentle character.

He saw the monarch position he occupied 20 years ago as a service to all.

So, he always humble himself with both the  matured and younger ones. He is straightforward in all his dealings with his subjects and the public.

The late Royal Father is an embodiment of peace, unity and love, and is accessible, social, welcoming and very forgiving.

As a rare model traditional ruler, he gave public interest priority above his own. He is generous, visionary and dynamic devoid of nepotism in handling community matters.

BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND PEDIGREE:

His Royal Highness King Righteous Inegbagha was born on December 25, 1950 at Ayakoro in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State into the family of late Chief (Prince) Genesis Ogidi Inegbagha (Father), and Mrs Julinah Nwainyoka Inegbagha (Mother).

His father, Genesis Ogidi Inegbagha, was the second son of Inegbagha Onugakimi who until his death was the first Paramount Ruler of Onuebum Town. Chief (Prince) Genesis Ogidi Inegbagha, late Paramount Ruler's father was a renowned trader, who trade with palm oil and kernel, and cargo during and after the colonial era. While, Late Righteous Inegbagha's Mother, Mrs Julinah Nwainyoka Inegbagha (Nee Chief Itekesi), a subsistence farmer, was the second daughter of a famous leader- Chief Itekesi, son of Senior Obein of Ayakoro. Mrs Julinah a devoted Christian, dedicated her life to support her husband in his life time achievements.

EDUCATION:

Late King Righteous Inegbagha attended his Elementary Schools at Ayakoro, Otuokpoti and Municipal Council School, Ikoti- Ekpene street,  Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he got his First School Leaving Certificate in 1968.

After acquiring his First School Leaving Certificate, he proceeded   to Nembe National Grammar School in 1969 for his secondary education, where His Royal Majesty King Paul I. Nathan was the then Principal of the school. Following the transfer of the Principal, King P. I Nathan in December 1969; His Royal Highness King Righteous Inegbagha also followed to Mater Dei High School, Imiringi, where he stayed for only two academic years and left for Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema in Rivers State. In 1972 and 1973 he got is West African School Certificate (WASC).

For quest for job, he also attended St. John College, Diobu, Port Harcourt from October 1975 to July 1976 where he wrote the Teacher's Grade II Certificate Examination and passed his papers.

Having gotten the Teacher's Grade II Certificate, he was employed as a teacher and posted to State School Ayakoro, his home town, and later as Headmaster at State School Otuegwe I, his father’s Mother village.

While in school, the demised developed inordinate interest in sports and games.

In the year 1981/1982 Academic session, he gained admission into Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt to study Economics and Political Science in Education. In June 1984, he wrote his final Examination that leads to the award of Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and passed with good grades.

In that same year, he proceeded to the one-year National Service. On completion of the service in 1985, he was posted to Government Secondary School, Ogbia Town his own local government area and after 6 years of service at G. S. S Ogbia Town, he was later transferred to C.S. S. Kolo.

In 1988, in his quest to further his education, the late Monarch enrolled for a Degree Programme in University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He ran the programme while he was in active service. In 1991, he got his Bachelor Degree of Education in Curriculum Studies/Economics.

He was then appointed as a Principal in 1998 and posted to Community Secondary School Odioma in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

He served at Odioma and was later transfer to Sangana in 2003.

From Sangana, he was transferred to Community Secondary School Ayakoro in 2006 where he anchors the baton in 2011, the year in which he retired.

So, his contributions to the educational advancement of the state cannot be over-emphasized.

CHRISTIAN LIFE:

His Royal Highness King Righteous Inegbagha is a devoted Christian. He is an active member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bayelsa Province 1, All Is Well Area, Living Word Zone, Ayakoro Town. While alive, the Royal Father devoted his life in the service of God in line with God's doctrines. He had shown exceptional commitment to God's service. As a Christian, he loved and treated both indigenes and non-indigenes residence in the community equal devoid of preferential treatment in any matter.

JOURNEY TO THE THRONE:

Little did His Royal Highness King Righteous Inegbagha knew that he would be collectively elected Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Town on January 8, 2005. He never dreamed of it or lobby to become Ayakoro Paramount Ruler.  As a patriotic and humble citizen of the community right from tender age, he joined elders and leadership of the community to discharge his civic responsibilities as part of his contributions for the development of the community. He always attended the Ayakoro Annual general meetings. So, that fateful day of 8th January, 2005 of the community annual general meeting, that morning he returned home from Sangana, his station to attend the meeting as an active good citizen of the community where he was collectively elected the Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro.

The late Monarch's 20 years’ reign on the throne   obviously has brought unprecedented development and prosperity to the people and the community, considering his outstanding leadership, kindness, fairness,  dedication to service and the peace he has enthrone for the betterment of all, and enhance development. 

The Royal Father as a man of unimpeachable integrity, and a leader who has consistently placed the people yearnings and aspirations above his own, operated an open door policies and ran all-inclusive administration that enhance societal development.

He has demonstrated his wealth of experience as a visionary public servant whose life embodies selflessness, transformative leadership, and enduring commitment to humanity, while administering the affairs of the community.

He always disagrees and disallowed any obstacle that would undermine development in the community under his administration. In fact, the late Monarch is one of the homebased Paramount Rulers, who keep a close watch over his subjects. He is focused, flexible, decisive and very scrupulous in handling sensitive issues. The late traditional ruler takes every member of the community as his own son or daughter, and operates on the principle of fair hearing.

He administered the affairs of the community in line with God's doctrine. The community under his leadership, quarterly and annually organized crusades, prayers and fasting to seek God's favour for her sons and daughters, peace, unity and love among the people as well as development in the community.

Under his administration, the community abolished some traditional practices such as consultation of oracle when person die. 

PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURE:

The late Paramount Ruler's administration preserved and promoted the Cultural heritage of Ayakoro Community and Bayelsa state, especially the Ayakoro Annual Festival (Eyal Obeyin) which was borne out of the need to honour as well as immortalizing the founding fathers of blessed memory as well as promote the cultural heritage of the state.

This, he noted that the founding fathers were the leaders of the time who by their visionary leadership style embarked and accomplished such a great feat of historic resettlement of the entire people of Ayakoro Community on the 12th day of February, 1958, from the Old Settlement to the present day Ayakoro owing to the significant threat by coastal erosion bearing in mind the untold suffering the future generation might face.

PROMOTION OF PEACE AND UNITY:

There is relative peace in the community, and unity among the people in his 20 years’ reign. Under the late Monarch regime, there was no conflict if any that was not amicably settled. 

As a peace builder and lover of unity, the late Royal Father reiterated his advice and charged for the people of Ayakoro to sustain the existing peace, love and unity among them during the 2025 Ayakoro Annual Festival (Eyal Obeyin).

His words:" Let me remind all sons and daughters of Ayakoro Community that we owe a duty to our founding fathers. They have laid the foundation upon which we have to grow. It is now our duty to continue the journey from where they have stopped. Consequently, I urge all of us to see ourselves as a generation of progressively minded people and behave accordingly. I task all progressive to get involve in creative thinking, forward - thinking ideas and a focus on achieving a significant change or improvement going beyond the existing status quo. Note, our destiny like a fragile vessel is in our hands today. It is fate hinges on our decisions, priorities and actions today. Undoubtedly, our salvation lies in our preparedness to live in harmony, collaboration and reciprocal veneration and tolerance. Let us remember that united we stand and divided we fall," he stated.

HIS ROLE IN OBHAN ANYAMA COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS:

His Royal Highness King Righteous Inegbagha, the late Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro, who served as Secretary, Obhan Anyama Council of Traditional Rulers has played a greater role in societal development.

Apart from the exceptional administration he has exhibited, he joined His Royal Majesty King Omie Theophilus, the Obanobhan of the Clan and other traditional rulers, and Ogbia Brotherhood in the successful resolution of conflicts, maintaining law and order, preserving the rich cultural heritage of the people, mobilizing the people for development initiatives as well as promotion of peace and unity amongst others.

FAMILY LIFE:

His Royal Highness Righteous Inegbagha is married to MRS TINA INEGBAGHA.

It would be recalled that in his earlier marriage, it was very unfortunate that he lost his first wife, MRS JULIET INEGBAGHA.  Their marriage is blessed with 13 children.

RECIPROCATION OF KIND GESTURE

The late Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro, HRH King RIGHTEOUS INEGBAGHA, is a man that all who came across him, acknowledge him as an embodiment of simplicity and appreciation of kind gesture.

This, he demonstrated at his point of death. When he realized that death was about to snatch his life, he called his younger brother, COMRADE MAJESTY INEGBAGHA and told him that his life has gone far, and thanked all those who have tried in different ways to save his life from death. He thanked his brothers, nephew, his first daughter, and most especially, the Deputy Paramount of Ruler of Ayakoro/ Managing Director/ CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the greater role he had played to save his life from death.

Shortly, death snatched his life and he died on Friday  September 5, 2025.

Though, he is dead, but his indelible legacy of kindness, fairness and dedication to service will resonate within the hearts of Ayakoro Community for generation to come, ensuring that his indomitable spirit continues to inspire future leaders.

His wise counsel and service to humanity will remain evergreen to mankind.

MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

Adieu.