It was tales of peace at the funeral obsequies of late Chief (Dr) Reginald Anigboribimikenge David Olunwa as he was laid to rest over the weekend at his Amadi-Ama home in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaker after speaker extolled the peaceful and humble nature of the Paramount Ruler of Amadi-Ama who peacefully guided the community through the turbulent years of militancy in the community, state and region.
Many who spoke to newsmen at the Amadi-Ama Community School venue of the reception attested to the fact that the late Monarch used his riches to help many in the community and state. Even as he was more accessible to both the poor and rich, as well as non indigene residents of the community.
In an interview with Journalists, shortly after the reception, his son and Chief Mourner, Reginald Inimgba Akromake Olunwa promised that he and his siblings will continue to maintain their late father’s legacies.
“The thing he would finally be remembered forever is that through out his life time, he was preaching peace. You see, when we say he’s a peaceful man, from his acts you’ll know . . . I promised him that your legacies, we’ll continue to maintain them. I’ll try my best,” he stated.
Chief (Hon. Dr) Reginald David Olunwa was born on December 30, 1931 into the Royal family of KOKO House. He was the son of the Paramount Ruler of Ogolama and Amadi-Ama – the late Chief David Olunwa.
In 1998, he became the first Chief of a fledgling Royal family and he created and built the Olunwa Welfare House. He also took advantage of the prospects available in the new Rivers state to establish the Standard Supermarket, the first indigenous Supermarket in Port Harcourt next to the likes of Leventis, Kingsway and PABOD Supermarkets of blessed memories. He built it to be the popular RADO Standard Stores along Ikwerre road then.
The popularity and integrity of his store led to its selection as one of the three prominent stores chosen by the Buhari/Idiagbon government to represent Rivers State in the distribution of essential commodities. He was also appointed by the Rivers state government owned Metaloplastic company as a Director and board member.
Prominent men and women from within and outside the state attended the burial ceremony, including former Governor of the state and immediate past Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers state Education Commissioner Dr Alice Nemi-Adoki and others.
Chief (Dr) R. D. Olunwa died at the ripe age of 95 years and he’s survived by many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
