Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly accepted an invitation to attend the coronation of the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI. The former president was said to have disclosed his acceptance when he received the Amanyanabo and members of the Opobo Council of Alapu at……
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly accepted an invitation to attend the coronation of the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI.
The former president was said to have disclosed his acceptance when he received the Amanyanabo and members of the Opobo Council of Alapu at his residence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during engagements ahead of the September 26 coronation.
According to a statement signed by Alabo Chris Finebon, Chairman of the Media, Publicity and Digital Archives Sub-Committee of the Opobo Kingdom Coronation Committee, Jonathan described Opobo Kingdom as a historic kingdom with significant contributions to Nigeria’s history.
“Opobo Kingdom is a place with history, and this visit is a big honour,” the former president said.
Jonathan added, “We will come to honour you back,” confirming that he would attend the coronation.
He also congratulated King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja and acknowledged the significance of the Opobo throne to the history of the Niger Delta.
The statement quoted the monarch as saying the visit was aimed at discussing issues of common interest in the region while formally inviting Jonathan, whom he described as a foremost Ijaw son and Nigerian leader.
“We cannot coronate an Opobo monarch without coming to see you,” King Charles told the former president.
The coronation is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, as the main event of a 10-day programme running from September 18 to 27.
The Opobo monarchy was established by King Jaja of Opobo, who emerged as a major political and commercial authority in the 19th-century Niger Delta.
Following the Bonny civil conflict in the late 1860s, Jaja and his compatriots established Opobo as an independent political and commercial centre, building a trading network and wielding considerable influence over the palm-oil trade between the Niger Delta hinterland and the Atlantic coast.
Britain entered into a commercial treaty with Jaja in 1873, formally recognising him as King of Opobo. He later came into conflict with British commercial and imperial interests and was arrested and exiled in 1887, an episode that remains significant in the history of colonial relations in the Niger Delta.
King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja became Amanyanabo-Elect following the death of King Dandeson Douglas Jaja and is scheduled to be formally crowned Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom on September 26.
Traditional rulers, political leaders, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders and Opobo indigenes from Nigeria and abroad are expected to attend the coronation.
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