His Royal Highness Christian Otobotekere
Capt Kingsley Mpi(Rtd).Tribute
My dear father-in-law.
Despite the pain that lingers in the core of my being over the painful death of your daughter, my late wife, whom I would have loved to be with me, I’ve got to try and let go.
You loved nature and, with your poetic prowess, transformed what others saw as limitations created by nature into beautiful poems. You were very receptive and accommodating to everyone that came close to you. Your sense of humour is unparalleled; hence there was never a dull moment in your company.
I remembered the day my late wife and I visited you, and you insisted on preparing food for us yourself, which you did even at your age then.
You were a great community leader loved by your people, a poet, a peace lover, and an advocate for transforming the Ijaw ethnic nationality and the Niger Delta region.
You were a great no, gender-biased father that ensured that all your children were given equal opportunities to education irrespective of their gender.
I feel incredibly honoured to have come across a great man such as you in my lifetime.
You were not just a father-in-law to me but a father and a mentor who made me appreciate the importance of harmonious family coexistence within the short period I knew you.
Adieu, Your Royal Highness
King Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere, JP.
Okun XIX
Amananaowei of Tombia.
Capt. Kingsley Mpi (rtd)
Son in-law
The Family of Capt. Kingsley & Mrs. Vivien Ikiemo Mpi.
From left standing: Miracle, Emmanuelle, Esther, and Deborah. Sitting: Capt. Kingsley Mpi, and late wife Vivien (child no. 5), and son Israel.