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Late O.B Lulu-Briggs
More than two years after his demise, the late business mogul, philanthropist, and industrialist, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs will be finally laid to rest on March 13, 2021 according to an announcement by the Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State.
Until his death, the late Lulu-Briggs was also the Paramount Head of Oruwari House of Abonnema.
But for controversies and litigations that trailed his demise, including legal tussles in Nigerian and Ghanaian Courts over where the deceased truly died and taking possession of his mortal remains, the oil and gas industry player would have long been buried.
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent restrictions by the federal and state governments as regards funerals and large gathering further elongated the final burial rites.
Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs (middle) joined by the Acting Head of Oruwari Briggs House and members of the Oruwari Brigss Council of Chiefs at the press conference.
Addressing a press conference at Abonnema on behalf of the Oruwari Briggs House, Barrister Ibim Dokubo stated that when on December 23, 2019, a High Court in Ghana ruled that the body of the paramount head be released to the family led by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the matter was appealed up to the Supreme Court before the body was finally brought on March 16, 2020, in the midst of Covid-19.
He said: “It is our pleasure at this point to break the news that the late High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF, DSSRS, the Iniikeiroari V of Kalabari Kingdom and Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema will be committed to mother Earth on Saturday, March 13, 2021.
“The major reason we could not plan the burial ceremony was because for more than fifteen months we could not take custody of the mortal remains of High Chief O.B. Lulu- Briggs because of the series of Court cases that denied the family from taking custody of the body. The controversy surrounded the demise of our Paramount Head was widely reported in the media.
“Even when on December 23, 2019, a High Court in Ghana ruled that the body of the monarch be released to the family led by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the matter was appealed up to the Supreme Court before the body was finally brought on March 16, 2020 into the waiting arms of the prevailing Covid restrictions.
“The overwhelming view was we needed to wait for the relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions because High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs was a man of many parts, who had positively touched many lives.
“He was a public servant, a labour leader, a politician, a businessman, a philanthropist par excellence and a very High Chief. It would therefore be a gross disservice to his memory to deny his legion of friends and associates the opportunity to honour him at his funeral.”
According to him, a broad-based burial committee has been set up to actualize the “mandate of giving out patriarch the honour that he very well deserves.”
Barrister Ibim Dokubo reading the speech at the press conference.
Also speaking, son of the deceased, who is also the head of Young Briggs House and O.B Lulu-Briggs family, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs commended the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike for his untiring efforts at resolving contentious issues and for also approving a state burial for their father.
According to him, their late father represents so many diverse interests that it is only fitting that he be given a befitting burial of his status, especially as people are expected from different parts of the world.
United climbed to the summit of the premier league table, level on points with defending champions, Liverpool on New Year’s Day, Friday night, with a narrow 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Anthony Martial’s close-range header handed the hosts the lead just before half-time at Old Trafford.
Bertrand Traore’s third goal in four games levelled matters in the 58th minute but Bruno Fernandes’ penalty moments later, after Douglas Luiz was adjudged to have brought down Paul Pogba, proved the difference and settled an evenly-matched, thoroughly hectic, end to end encounter.
It was the hosts who started on the front foot, Emi Martinez denying Fernandes early on before producing a super save to push away Martial’s 10th-minute strike from the edge of the penalty area.
John McGinn tested David De Gea at the other end as Villa grew into the encounter and took the game to United, who remained dangerous in attack during an evenly-balanced and entertaining first half.
But the home side opened the scoring five minutes before the interval as Martial stooped to head home Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross from close range.
Villa started the second period positively and Matty Cash sent an effort narrowly over the crossbar before Ollie Watkins was denied by De Gea and Anwar El Ghazi fired off target.
Martinez saved well from Marcus Rashford following his run in the 56th minute and it proved crucial as the Villans levelled almost immediately.
McGinn took a quick free-kick and found Jack Grealish in space down the left channel and he surged into the box before crossing for Traore to fire home from six yards.
However, the level scores lasted just three minutes as Luiz brought down Pogba in the area and Fernandes converted the resulting spot-kick.
Martial and Pogba went close for the home side while El Ghazi and Watkins threatened for Villa as both sides continued to go close at either end, Martinez pushing Fernandes’ long-range strike on to the crossbar in the 77th minute.
Dean Smith’s side applied pressure for a late leveller, Cash’s effort from distance was saved by De Gea, while Bailly blocked a last second shot as United stood firm for all three points.
The United win, United’s 8th win in ten EPL games saw Villa’s five-match unbeaten run come to an end .
The defeat extends Villa’s winless record against United to 16 matches since 2009, with just one triumph in their last 44 league meetings.
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