By Chris Agabi
Saturday, 21st February 2026 will indelible Eleme Kingdom, Rivers State.
It was the day, a top-class legal icon in Nigeria, Prof. Sebastine T. Hon, SAN, accompanied by his gorgeous wife, Chief. Mrs. Felicia Hon, siblings, friends, associates, well-wishers and the Benue community in River State, received the most prestigious chieftaincy title of the Aleto Elemo Community, in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State.
Aleto, a key clan within the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, holds immense strategic and economic importance to Nigerian economy, primarily acting as a central hub for the nation’s oil and gas industry and a critical logistical bottleneck for economic activity in the Niger Delta.
Almost everyone in Aleto Elemo community emptied into the venue where Chief Sebastine Hon was being honoured with the title of Emere Nsan Nsin Ebo I of Aleto by the Aleto Elemo Council of Chiefs, under the distinguished leadership of His Royal Majesty, Emere (Dr.) Philip Osaro Obele, JP, DSSRS, Oneh Eh Eleme XI, King of Eleme Kingdom, Rivers State. With this title, Chief Hon has a seat amongst the first-class title holders in that community.
With Sema Wan U Tiv bestowed on him by the Tor Tiv recently, another first-class title in the Tiv Nation, it is a clear testimony Chief Sebastine Hon, has impacted and still impacting individuals and communities not just in Benue State but across the country.
I is tsignificant to note that the honour in faraway Rivers State also mean that the learned silk’s contributions to social justice and law are recognised outside of his immediate home state. It is also a validation of his principles, character, credentials and philanthropies. 
As a legal luminary, his service quality delivery has carved a niche for him in Nigeria and abroad. It is this top-notch service quality he has also pledged on his integrity to deliver as the next Benue state governor.
Affectionate heartfelt tributes poured freely at the event. The chairman of the occasion, HRM Amb. Dr. Apollos Chu Onfa, Eh Nchia Emere Okori Eleme, described the honour as a reward for Prof. Hon’s enduring contributions to justice and peace, noting that such recognition followed years of careful observation of his service o humanity.
“Aleto people have recognised the justice and peace you have helped to sustain. You are an icon of peace, not only in Aleto but across Eleme Kingdom,” he affirmed.
Offering a tribute, King Obele described Prof. Hon as a star whose relationship with Eleme dates back to 2008, when he began serving as counsel to the land.
According to the monarch, the legal luminary has remained steadfast in his support for the Aleto Clan, offering guidance and encouragement where needed.
“Indeed, the Prof. is a jewel of inestimable value to the people of Aleto Clan,” the monarch affirmed, adding that he had built enduring bridges of love across communities.
The visibly excited Chief Prof. Hon expressed profound gratitude to the Eleme traditional institution, stating that his respect for the kingdom had been deeply etched in his heart for 18 years.
He recounted how two Rivers indigenes recognised his potential early in his legal career and persuaded him to relocate from Gembu in Taraba State to Port Harcourt, where his career flourished.
“Today, I am honoured with about the highest title in this land. What honour could be more than this? To travel hundreds of miles to be honoured, I cannot forget this,” he said. “God bless Rivers State a million times. God bless Aleto Kingdom. I am going home greatly honoured. The heavens have recorded this” he said.
In a symbolic gesture, he donated five of his authored books to the monarch, noting that they were written on Eleme soil and contributed to his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The highpoint of the ceremony was the formal presentation of the insignia by the king, assisted by chiefs and elders. The conferment included traditional regalia, notably a chieftaincy wrapper symbolising the responsibilities and dignity of the new title. Prayers were offered for his success, and he was formally briefed on the customs and expectations attached to his new status.
