By Emeka Amaefula
GOV. FUBÀRA PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE OPOBO MONARCH, WARNS FAMILY AGAINST INHERITANCE DISPUTES
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged members of the Opobo royal family to avoid any form of dispute over inheritance, warning that such conflicts could sow seeds of division and undermine the unity of the kingdom.
The governor gave the admonition while delivering a heartfelt tribute to the late Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, during a funeral service held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town.
Fubara advised the children and relatives of the late monarch to focus their energies on personal development and individual achievement rather than contesting material possessions. He stressed that inheritance does not define success, noting that true accomplishment must be earned through personal effort. According to the governor, any rift over assets would only devalue them and fracture family bonds, adding that the greatest honour the family can bestow on the late king is to uphold the peace and harmony he cherished throughout his life.
Describing the deceased monarch as a man of class, dignity, and peaceful leadership, Governor Fubara said King Jaja guided Opobo Kingdom with remarkable calm and wisdom, leading to significant progress and greater national recognition. He highlighted the late king’s contributions beyond the towering legacy of the legendary King Jaja of Opobo and the founding chiefs, particularly the emergence of prominent political leaders during his reign.
The governor noted that the monarch, who passed away at the age of 83, lived well beyond the biblical “threescore and ten,” attributing this to his humility, exemplary character, and commitment to peace. He described the occasion not as one of sorrow but of celebration for a life fully lived and honourably concluded.
King Dandeson Douglas Jaja ascended the throne in 2004 as the Treaty King, Amanyanabo, and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom. A highly respected traditional ruler even before his coronation, he represented the kingdom with distinction at various national and international platforms. Notably, he attended the reception hosted by the British High Commission for Queen Elizabeth II in Abuja in December 2003 — mirroring a similar historic engagement by his father in Port Harcourt in 1956.
His leadership profile was further enhanced when he was appointed Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers by former Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in June 2015. He also served as Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State, where his appointment letter praised his vast experience in managing people and resources.
Born on April 28, 1942, as the first son of His Majesty King (Dr.) Douglas Jaja, the fourth Amanyanabo of Opobo, the late monarch attended St. Paul’s Primary School in Opobo, National Grammar School Nike in Enugu, and later Hull College of Higher Education in the United Kingdom. Deeply rooted in Ibani culture and traditions, he played a key role in preserving and promoting the kingdom’s heritage, including facilitating Opobo’s participation in FESTAC ’77 through the Mina Ogbo Ikine cultural performance.
Governor Fubara also counselled the Amanyanabo-elect to lead with wisdom and pragmatism, encouraging him to carve out his own legacy rather than merely replicating that of his predecessor.
In a sermon at the service, Venerable Emmanuel Oko Jaja reflected on the brevity of life, urging the congregation to reject pride and the vain pursuit of material wealth. He reminded worshippers that all power belongs to God and encouraged them to live with an eternal perspective, anchored in faith.
The late monarch was laid to rest on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Opobo Kingdom, bringing a dignified close to a life marked by service, honour, and an enduring legacy of peace.
The funeral drew dignitaries, traditional rulers, and members of the Opobo Kingdom, who gathered to celebrate a revered leader remembered for his calm disposition and lasting contributions to his people and the Niger Delta.
———–Emeka Amaefula —–+2341(0)8111813069—-
