DECEMBER 29, 2012 will, for a very long time, linger in the memory of  Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, the former Minister of State for Education. That day, he was recognized by the people of Ubulu Uku, Aniocha South Local Council of Delta State with a chieftaincy title, which is said to be “reserved strictly for trail-blazers in their different spheres of life and not for failures.”

In appreciation of his sterling performance in and out of government, Gbagi was conferred with  ‘’Ugo Eze’’ (Glory of the King) by His Royal Majesty, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue 111. Having washed his hands very clean, he could now wine and dine with Ubulu Uku royalty.

Gbagi, an Urhobo from Delta Central Senatorial District, might have bagged a couple of high profile titles in his native Ughelli as his sterling performance did not go unnoticed by his people but the one at Ubulu Uku in Delta North Senatorial District “is very dear to his heart.”

Obi Ofulue, who said that the conferment of the title was one of the activities lined up to celebrate his sixth coronation anniversary, added that it was in recognition of Gbagi’s contributions to the betterment of humanity and Ubulu Uku Community.

Dressed in the white akwuocha traditional dress of Anioma people with red read beads dangling from his neck, the look on the former Minister’s face spoke volumes as he went on his knees to receive the title from the monarch. A thousand words were not just enough to express the way he felt inside. It was a very good way of rounding off the year and stepping gracefully into the New Year.

The  people were not left out as they trooped out in their thousands to the traditional ruler’s palace to witness the epoch making event.

Describing Gbagi as a legal luminary, philanthropist, business mogul and an illustrious son of Delta State, the monarch remarked that with the conferment of the chieftaincy title, Gbagi was not only a friend of Ubulu Uku Kingdom but also a son of the community who had been fully grafted.

Gbagi thanked the monarch for finding him worthy of the honour, saying: ‘’I feel highly honored.  Ubulu Uku is an ancient kingdom, which dates back to history. For the people to appreciate my contributions to humanity, gives me so much joy. This honour will spur me to do more to uplift humanity.’’

With the presentation of a Staff of Office to Gbagi by the Royal Father, he has now been mandated to  labour harder for the glory of the kingdom.