Excitement, challenges on ancestral throne for 22 yrs -His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kelvin Danesi, The Aidonojie of South-Ibie

By Gabriel Omonhinmin

On Saturday, May, 22, 2021, the entire South-Ibie town, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State went agog as His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliu Kelvin Danesi, Oba Idanesi II and the Aidonoje of South-Ibie marked his twenty second anniversary on the throne.

Twenty-two years ago. a quiet, unassuming, urban and dashing banker, Prince Danesi was called from his lucrative job in one of the new generation banks then, to take up the throne of his forefathers in a rustic semi-urban town of South-Ibie, as the Aidonojie of South Ibe.

As to be expected, very close friends to the Prince objected to him taking the appointment. The young Prince briefly worked with a law firm in Lagos known as I.B.M Haruna & Associates immediately after leaving the law school, before moving to the banking industry.

Other associates and some relatives, were obviously apprehensive, not because the prince then was not qualified or competent to ascend the throne, but for the fear, that he was too quiet, urban and refined, and might not have the temperament to navigate or withstand the intense intrigues associated with the throne.

Other people, especially his co-workers then, felt it was crazy for a man, who was already doing very well in the banking industry as manager in one of the major branches in a big city in Nigeria, to abandon everything he has archived for the throne.

It has been twenty-two years down the line when this very difficult decision was taken by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliu Kelvin Danesi. He has since proven everyone, who opposed his taking up the throne wrong.

As he has since stabilized his then troubled community and brought a lot of developments to the once rural community he now rule as its traditional ruler. Within these periods, he has brought the people of South-Ibie town together, leading to the massive development of the entire area.

Amidst fierce opposition by other contending Princes from other ruling houses in South-Ibie for the throne twenty-two years ago, a calm and highly focused Oba Idanesi II, who literally lives up to his title “Idanesi” – I surrender or submit to my destiny” still had the gut to reassure whosoever cares to listen then, when he said,

“This is my forefather’s throne. It’s everyman with his people. I will not abdicate my responsibility to my people, I will stand with them. I shall weather this storm, no matter how big or difficult. As I do not intend to run away now, since I have been called upon to ascend this throne of my forbearers.”

Yes! It’s been twenty-two eventful years, Oba Idanesi has not only stayed with the people of South-Ibie, but has indeed weathered every ranging storms and challenges on his way and path with grace.

What a guts! His years on the throne of South-Ibe in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo state, has not only been emotional, it is full of historical attestations.

The 67 years old Aidonojie of South Ibie, in one of his numerous chats with Palace Watch when we were much younger, once said, in those trying periods and other special interviews, “Those that are wretched, in the full sense of the word, are those that are bereft of the treasures of faith.

These types of people are always in a state of misery, anger and humiliation. Oba Idanesi’s unwavering faith in his personal ability and God has certainly led him into achieving great things for himself and his people.

He also once told Palace Watch, “The only means of purifying the heart, of removing anxieties and worries from it, is to have an implicit belief in Allah, Lord of all that exist. In fact, there can be no true meaning to life when one has no faith.

Oba Idanesi II, who always waxed philosophical whenever he engaged other people in discussions, will always say, “In all situations, always endeavor to extract the honey but do not break the hive. Everything that has gentleness within it is beautified, and whatever lacks it is spoiled.

When you meet someone, giving them a bright smile and a kind word, you are displaying the characteristic of the truly successful man. These qualities and characteristic most successful people in the world exhibit.

When a bee lands on a flower doing so for a practical purpose, it does not destroy it, because Allah rewards meekness and gentility. These are qualities people with harsh disposition towards others don’t have.

He will always stress, “There are people whose personalities are like magnets, attracting everyone, who is nearby, simply because, they are loved for their gentle talk, their good manners, and their noble deeds.

“Winning the friendship of other is an art that is mastered by those that are noble and pious; a circle of people constantly surround them. Their mere presence in a gathering is a blessing and when they are absent, they are missed and asked about.

“This type of people, he added, suck out malice from others with their sincerity, forgiveness, and gentleness. They forget evil that was enacted upon them and preserve the memory of kindness received.

Biting harsh words may be aimed at them, but such words pass by their ears without entering and continue on their path without ever returning.

They are always in a state of calmness. People in general, and Muslims in particular, are safe from suffering any harm at their hands. If you must know, this is how, I have survived my nineteen years sojourn on the throne so far.

His Royal Highness Aliu Kelvin Danesi, the Aidonojie of South-Ibie, concludes, “We should always accept life as it is. The pleasures of life are short-lived, and more often than not, they are followed by sorrow.

Life means responsibility, a journey wherein change is constant and difficulties are many. You will never find a king, a commoner, a father, a wife, or a friend, who is free from problems.

As Allah has willed for this world to be filled with two opposites; good and evil, righteousness and corruption, and misery. Thus good, uprightness, and happiness are for the Paradise; evil, corruption, and misery are for the Fire.

“So live according to your reality without always envisioning the ideal life, one that is free of worry and toil. Accept life as it is and adapt accordingly to all circumstances.

You will not find in this world such things as the flawless companion or the perfect situation, because flawlessness and perfection are qualities that are foreign to this life.” He concluded.

Any surprise that Oba Idanesi II has done so well for himself and the people of South-Ibie, during his twenty-two years reign on the throne of South-Ibie? Congratulation Zaiki and more graceful years ahead of you on the throne.