Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged his support and partnership to the newly crowned Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, expressing confidence that his reign would usher in peace, unity and development in the kingdom.
Jonathan spoke in a goodwill message at the coronation ceremony of King Jaja on Saturday.
The royal ceremony, which attracted prominent Nigerians, traditional rulers, political leaders and other dignitaries, was held at King Jaja Square, Opobo.
King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja became the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo as he succeeded the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, who was buried on April 11, 2026.
The new monarch was given the traditional title of Jeki VI, in succession to the historic King Jaja, who founded the Opobo Kingdom following the historic exodus of 1870.
The king was anointed and crowned by the Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja.
Jonathan recalled the historic legacy of the Opobo throne and the contributions of its first occupant, King Jaja, to the history of the Niger Delta.
He urged the new monarch to build on the legacy of his forebears and work with government institutions to advance the development of Opobo Kingdom.
‘We believe that your reign will bring peace to Opobo, will bring development to Opobo, will bring unity to Opobo, and you will fly this community, this kingdom, and it will bring the respect that it deserves,’ Jonathan said.
He added: ‘All our government and institutions, as you requested, will work with you to develop our people.’
On his part, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, charged traditional rulers across Rivers State to preserve the customs and heritage of their communities and kingdoms.
Fubara, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, described the coronation as a historic celebration of tradition and culture.
The governor said traditional institutions remained critical to preserving cultural values, promoting unity and maintaining peace in communities.
‘As a government, we recognise the important role traditional institutions play in preserving our cultural values, promoting unity and maintaining peace within our communities,’ Fubara said.
He urged traditional rulers to remain custodians of the state’s heritage and partners in its development.
He said: ‘We dare to encourage our traditional rulers to continue to serve as custodians of our heritage and partners in the development of our state. We will celebrate our cultural heritage, preserve our traditions, and pass them to our children and grandchildren. This responsibility belongs to all of us’.
Fubara also urged King Jaja to provide purposeful leadership and contribute to the development and stability of Opobo Kingdom.
‘May you provide purposeful leadership to your people and continue to contribute to the development and stability of Rivers State. Like Solomon in the Bible, may God Almighty grant you divine wisdom and knowledge to rule over your people,’ he said.
Also speaking, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, recalled the historic ties between Opobo and Onitsha, describing the relationship as one built on trade and mutual respect.
Achebe also reflected on the experiences of King Jaja in his dealings with the British, saying the struggles of the founding monarch had become an important part of Opobo’s history.
‘First of all, it is the historic link between Opobo and Onitsha which is based on trade and mutual respect. And our predecessors have continued that relationship,’ he said.
He prayed for continued growth and prosperity for the Opobo Kingdom.
‘My prayer is that Opobo will continue to grow and flourish,’ Achebe said.
In his acceptance speech, the newly crowned monarch pledged to uphold the sovereignty and dignity of Opobo Kingdom, promising to lead with truth, justice and unity.
‘As I ascend the throne of King Jaja and am crowned Jeki VI today, I pledge before God and the ancestors: I will uphold the sovereignty and dignity of Opobo. I will serve with truth, justice and unity,’ King Jaja declared.
He said his reign would build on the courage and sacrifices of the founders of Opobo.
‘The exodus of 1870 was a journey to freedom. Our journey in 2026 is a journey to development, unity and global relevance,’ he said.
King Jaja expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government and other organisations for their support for the coronation.
Traditional rulers including the Obong of Calabar; the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; Eze Eberechi Oji, Eze Aro; Eze Iweka III of Obosi; King Buribaye Dakolo of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Bayelsa State; and Eze Eberiuogo of Omuma, among others, attended the coronation.