The crème-de-la-crème of the Grand Lodge of Nigeria (GLN) converged in Bonny, Rivers State between Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17, 2026 respectively to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Erection and Consecration of Lodge Bonny Island and also honour two prominent members who were instrumental to the founding of the Lodge.
The array of dignitaries comprised the Grand Master, who was represented by the Deputy Grand Master, Chief Eberechi Adele, SAN, DSSRS and the immediate past Grand Master as well as officers of the Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge of Nigeria, Southern.
Highlights of the two-day event included a Charity Visit to the Bonny General Hospital, Courtesy calls on some traditional rulers in Bonny Kingdom, Unveiling of Tombstones in honour of the founding fathers, a Memorial Lecture and Anniversary luncheon.
At the Bonny General Hospital, the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nigeria, Eberechi Adele, SAN, DSSRS, who was accompanied by the Immediate past Grand Master, Ambassador Designate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Onueze Chukwujinka Joe Okocha, SAN, DSSRS, Life Bencher, and other Senior Officers and Brethren of Nigeria Freemasonry, were received by the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Patience Longjohn, and her management team.
He expressed the sympathy of the Lodge to the patients, noting that it is consistent with the ethos of the Organization for members to empathize with the suffering and seek ways of providing succour, adding that the visit was in demonstration of that conviction.
The Medical Director, Patience Longjohn thanked her guests for the visit and the kind gesture extended towards the patients, using the opportunity to appeal for support to address teething issues affecting the day-to-day running of the facility.
The delegation proceeded to visit the son of its late founding member and Charter Master, Se-Alabo Opuada Willie-Pepple, Inyeoku IX, who is also the Chief and Head of Willie-Pepple Chieftaincy House, at his Opuwari, where the Deputy Grand Master, Eberechi Adele, SAN, DSSRS, and the Director of Ceremony of Lodge Bonny Island, Israel Tuotamuno Williams, took turns to eulogize the late sage, late Se-Alabo Lawrence Sodienye Willie-Pepple.
They informed the traditional ruler that the Grand Lodge of Nigeria (GLN) will be unveiling a tombstone in honour of his demised father the next day at the Lodge Bonny Island Temple premises, further informing him that a Memorial Lecture will also be held in his honour as well as one of the founding members of Lodge Bonny Island, late Se-Alabo Dr. Adonye Anye Ibiama.
Responding, Se-Alabo Willie-Pepple expressed the appreciation of the Willie-Pepple House for the honour done to its patriarch, noting that though the late Country Chief of Bonny Kingdom discharged himself creditably well in diverse endeavours, it is gratifying that Lodge Bonny Island deemed it necessary to immortalize him.
The entourage also stopped by the country home of a senior member of Lodge Bonny Island, Se-Alabo Reginald Fiene Peter Hart, MON, JP, who is also the Chief and Head of Captain Hart Chieftaincy House of Grand Bonny Kingdom.
Unveiling the tombstones, Deputy Grand Master, Eberechi Adele, extolled the unique virtues of late Se-Alabo Lawrence Sodienye Willie-Pepple, who he said was instrumental to the establishment of the Lodge Bonny Island which is listed as number 23 on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Nigeria; just as he eulogized late Se-Alabo Adonye Anye. Ibiama for his unique contributions to the growth of Lodge Bonny Island.
Delivering the 50th Anniversary Lecture titled “Masonic Lecture on the Life and Times of Late RWB Se-Alabo Lawrence Sodienye Willie-Pepple, MBE, JP, Charter Master of Lodge Bonny Island”, Se-Alabo R. F. P. Hart described the late sage as “a masonic colossus”, noting that “Brother Chief Lawrence Willie-Pepple was simply elegant, good-mannered and was loved by all”
Eulogising departed members of Lodge Bonny Island, who he referred to as “the Great Masons”, for holding the noble principles of Freemasonry, the traditional ruler commended Se-Alabo Willie-Pepple for his commitment to have imparted those principles through tutelage to the ensuing generation of which he was a part of.
The Anniversary Lecturer also took out time to elucidate on the origin, significance and symbolism of the Mosaic Pavement, saying it is “a Powerful Emblem of duality, balance and moral reflection”, pointing out that it symbolizes the contrasting experiences of human life.
The Anniversary celebration petered out with a luncheon wherein members of the Grand Lodge, special guests, friends, family and well-wishers were treated to sumptuous meals, exotic wines, assorted drinks and conviviality.