- Bestows Pan African Honorary Chieftaincy Title On Mayor of Columbia
…As Chief Ehikwe Gifts Americans, Mayor and Sheriff Ika Version of The Lord’s Prayer
BY Jerome-Mario Utomi
The Pan African People, a sociocultural pressure group comprising Africans residing in Columbia, Carolina, United States of America (USA), has bestowed a chieftaincy title – Adolor of the Pan African People – on Daniel J. Rickenmann, Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, for his sterling public leadership style famously characterized as development-oriented and sustainable cultural integration and peace promotion.
The title which was conferred on him on Saturday, January 17, 2026, formed part of activities lined up to mark this year’s birthday celebration of Grand Knight, Sir Tonna Okei, President, Organization of Africa Unity, South Carolina (SC), a Pan African Inter-Nation, an umbrella socio-cultural organisation of all Africans resident in South Carolina,
Okei, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Knights of Columbus, a notary public, a team leader, community leader, cultural enthusiast and Team Leader, Quality Assurance Bureau of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, was born on January 16, 1975, in Surulere, Lagos State.
He was born a few days after the Udoji commission pay increase took effect and his mother collected her first payment and thus named him Tonna (Praise God).
Speaking with journalists shortly after the Chieftaincy title was bestowed on the Mayor of Columbia, Sir Okei described the development as deserving, saying that Daniel J. Rickenmann is a lover of Africans, a just public office holder with impeccable character, peace and development engineer. He noted that Rickenmann has over time demonstrated exemplary leadership traits worthy of emulation by those presently in different positions of authority and those aspiring to be in one form of leadership position or the other in the nearest future.
Urging the mayor to sustain the tempo of his people-oriented leadership devoid of marginalization, vindictiveness or victimization, Okei called on members of the group and Africans resident in the United States at large, to remain resolute in their obedience to laws of the land, contributing to the development of the United States, Nigeria and Africa.
Others who spoke at the event poured endless encomium on Sir Tonna Okei, in recognition of his unflinching advocacy for human capital and community development, relentless calls for good governance and youth development expertise.
According to them, Okei, popularly called Ikuku Oma, was eulogized as a dogged fighter for fair, just, equitable and peaceful world, that has in like manner, at various times and places been recognized by various associations, organizations, movements and corporate entities for his undying push for a development driven world.
‘’What we are doing today is not different from previous experiences. The celebration is not in any way different. We are only replicating what other groups have done in the past for a man who has become famous for wiping tears and passing smiles in his efforts for human and community developmental strides. Okei, in our view, has become a leading light that any youth in Nigeria and abroad desirous of making progress in life must emulate’’.
“We are acknowledging the silent, salient and outstanding public leadership exploits at the global stage of a yet to be celebrated Agbor born, Grand Knight Emeritus, president of the Organisation of African Unity South Carolina, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Knights of Columbus, a notary public, a member of the South Carolina cultural and linguistic committee, a team leader, community leader, cultural enthusiast, Quality Assurance Bureau of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services who has through hard work, planning and self improvement, established self as a global citizen.
“As a charismatic leader, Okei, a year ago published a masterpiece titled ‘’I Am Still Standing’’. A book which was the first from Knight Sir Tonna’s stable amply qualifies as an Ika blockbuster celebrated by the world with forewords from world notable personalities, and perhaps the most famous platform ever seen to celebrate Agbor/Ika/Anioma language and customs. The book gave a graphic description of how the cultural Ambassador was medically diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and primary schologantis and through God’s divine intervention, survived’’.
For her part, wife of the celebrant, Dr Oluwatoyin Okei (Yeye Asoju Oba), observed with pride that when it comes to assisting humanity and taking people from where they are to where they should be, Grand Knight Tonna has no rival as neither sickness nor insufficiency of funds could deter him from achieving such objectives.
“My husband is loving. He is a caring father of our children. He stands as a shining light when it comes to advocacy for human capital and community development, relentless calls for good governance and cultural promotion among other areas of human endeavours.
“Also worthy of mention is the fact that in keeping with his development oriented and detribalised culture, Tonna married me from the South Western Nigeria and we are today blessed with six children and a grand-daughter,’’,
Tonna, the eldest son of Lady Felicia Okei and Barrister George Okei, a former commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair in the old Bendel State, was celebrated with a lavishly planned party in recognition of his unrelenting advocacy for good governance, peace building and community organizing and development.
Present at the event were; Mayor of Columbia, Honorable Daniel Rickenmann, Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County, United States of America, Sir Tony Zammarrelli, Pan African leader. Chief Ibe Ogburu (Eselu). Director of protocol for the day, Barrister Mrs. Ngozi Ezeihuaku (Oso di eme) and Dr Arthur Kennedy, a Former Ghanaian Presidential candidate who spoke for the pan African people.
The high point of the celebration was the presentation to Americans of the Ika version of our Lord’s Prayer, a gift made available by Chief John Ehikwe, Ukpe Chukwu Munye of Ejeme Unor. Cutting of the birthday cake, refreshment and dance.
Giving insight for the donation of Ika version of our Lord’s Prayer, Chief John Ehikwe said “Tonna is my son and as a born and bred Catholic, I believe in prayer. In our family, we have the culture of handing over everything we do to God through prayer. The donation is a way of encouraging people to be committed to Prayer. Prayer is the best gift one can give to humanity”.
