Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has presented Certificates of Recognition and Staff of Office to former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, and three others as newly recognised traditional rulers in the state.
The historic ceremony held on Dec 31st, 2024, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Da-Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, ( Dabaye Amakiri 1) formally received the staff of office as the Amanyanabo of the Source (Elem Kalabari) from Governor Siminlayi Fubara.
Elem Kalabari, renowned as the cradle of Kalabari development, holds a revered place in the annals of Kalabari history and socio-political development. As the first settlement of the founding fathers of the Kalabari Kingdom, it served as the genesis of the kingdom’s growth, preceding the dispersion of its people into present-day settlements.
Dokubo-Asari was presented with a certificate and staff of office as the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri in Degema local government area of the state.
Others are HRM, Winston Odize Alamina Oputibeya XII, as the Amanyanabo of Koniju in Okrika local government area; HRM Eze Noble Friday Uwo as the Eze Igbu-Ehuda (Ahoada) IV in Ahoada-East local hovernment area and HRH Prince Ike Ehie as the Eze Igbu Orilukwoe in Ahoada-East local government area of the state.
Presenting the certificates and staff of office to the four new traditional rulers at Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Governor Fubara urged them not to see their new positions as tool for personal aggrandizement, rather they should see it as a call for service and responsibility to help government protect lives and property in their respective domains.
The governor said: “Let me first of all, on behalf of the government, congratulate the four of you. It has not been an easy journey to get to this point. I know a lot of you have been working very hard to ensure the success of this day. Your appointment in terms of this recognition is not for personal aggrandizement, but a call for service, a responsibility to help us protect lives and property in your domains.”
He stated that though government has the power to withdraw the recognition from any traditional ruler found wanting, Fubara quickly added that it was not his intention to exercise such authority, and warned them not to use the privileged positions to create problems in their domains, but join forces with government to ensure the success of the administration in it’s avowed commitment to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Fubara said, “I don’t want you to see this elevation as another platform to create problems in your locality. We have the power to still withdraw the recognition, but I don’t intend to do that. So, I want you to be partners with the government to ensure that we continue to succeed.
“I know that you are all men of integrity. Support the course of governance so that we can all succeed together. It is really a privileged position, and I am very sure that you are going to use it to the best of the interest of your people.”
In his opening remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Engr. Charles Amadi, said the newly recognised traditional rulers include two royal majesties and two royal highnesses, and commended Fubara for adding into the number of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
During the ceremony, Da-Amakiri Tubo, Dokubo-Asari, expressed his profound gratitude to Governor Fubara for the esteemed honor bestowed upon him. He pledged to utilize his position to foster and promote the social, cultural, and economic growth of the Kalabari Kingdom, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of his people.
He said,
I am lost for words. This honour is of great joy to me and I thank our dynamic Governor, Sir Siminlayi Fubara for the honour and privilege to serve the Kalabari kingdom in this capacity.”
Peoplesmind
