SOUTH CAROLINA/Nigeria: The Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina, United States, has honoured His Royal Majesty, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, with a prestigious Merit Award for Excellent Leadership in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the advancement and well-being of his people.
The award, formally conveyed in a letter dated May 30, 2025, by Sheriff Leon Lott, is a glowing tribute to the Dein’s influence, which Sheriff Lott noted extends well beyond the borders of Agbor Kingdom to touch lives globally. Sheriff Lott described the revered monarch as “a beacon of light in a world that often yearns for true leadership,” adding that such impact makes leaders like him essential to fostering unity and progress across communities worldwide.
“In recognition of our friendship and your unwavering commitment to your people, I am deeply honoured to present you with the Sheriff’s Award for Excellent Leadership,” Sheriff Lott wrote. “This prestigious award is not easily earned, and I can say without hesitation that Your Majesty is most deserving of this recognition.”
Sheriff Lott also extended an invitation to the monarch for a formal award presentation ceremony at his office in South Carolina, with arrangements to be facilitated by mutual associate and liaison, Mr. Tonna Okei.
This latest honour comes just two years after the State of South Carolina conferred on the Dein a Legislative Award in 2023, a recognition that followed his commendable engagement with state leaders during heightened racial tensions in the U.S. At that time, His Royal Majesty had addressed law enforcement officers and African leaders in the Carolinas, advocating peace and unity—an effort that drew widespread acclaim.
Reacting to the latest award, Knight Sir Tonna Okei Ikuku Oma, a Nigerian-American community leader and President of the South Carolina Organization of African Unity, expressed deep admiration for the Dein’s leadership qualities. A native of Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Sir Okei said the monarch’s dedication to royal duties continues to inspire African communities at home and abroad.
“I marvel at His Majesty’s selfless service. His wisdom, humility, and commitment to peace are not just rare—they are exemplary. These virtues have earned him accolades globally,” Okei remarked. “I vividly recall his historic Zoom meeting with us during his visit to Atlanta last year. He engaged our leaders with remarkable depth, cited several scholarly works, and called for peace during a turbulent period in America’s racial history.”
He added that the monarch’s interventions left a lasting impression on leaders across the Carolinas and further solidified his stature as a voice of unity and moral guidance.
The recognition by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is another milestone in the growing international acclaim of the Dein of Agbor, reaffirming his place among Africa’s most respected traditional rulers.
