The newly crowned Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State,King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, has pledged to work with academics and professionals to formulate policies on education, healthcare, youth empowerment and the marine economy to improve the society.

The king was on Saturday crowned the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo and the coronation which held at Jaja Square, Opobo Town, marked the climax of activities that began on September 17, 2026, to celebrate the emergence of the new monarch and the rich cultural heritage of the historic Opobo Kingdom.

The colourful ceremony was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, representatives of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; the Obi of Onitsha, Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; representatives of the Bayelsa State Government; the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom; representatives of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers; the Olu of Warri; the Dean of Agbor; the Obong of Calabar; members of the Ijaw National Congress and other dignitaries.

In his coronation address, King Charles pledged to uphold the sovereignty and dignity of the kingdom and to serve 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,” he said.

The monarch said his reign would be built around three broad areas: preservation of cultural heritage, development-focused traditional leadership and constructive relations with government.

He pledged to protect the Ibani language and cultural traditions, including Oruogbo, Fungu mini, Iria and the sea regatta festivals, while also preserving sacred sites and promoting the kingdom’s tourism potential.

King Charles while noting that he will work with professionals,stressed the importance of collaboration between traditional institutions and government.
“Traditional Institutions are not rivals to government. We are partners for peace, security and development,” the monarch said.

He also called on intervention agencies and relevant organisations to partner with Opobo Kingdom in addressing its development challenges.
Among the priorities he listed were sustainable roads and jetties, shoreline protection, quality healthcare, higher educational institutions, skills acquisition centres for youths and protection of the riverine environment.

The coronation comes more than 150 years after the establishment of Opobo Kingdom, one of the historic Ibani kingdoms of the Eastern Niger Delta.
The kingdom emerged from a political conflict in Grand Bonny in 1869, when Chief Jack Jaja Annie Pepple, known in Ibani tradition as Juwojuwo, and members of the Opubo Annie Pepple group departed Bonny and established a new settlement near the Imo River estuary.

December 25, 1870, is traditionally recognised as the date of the establishment of Opobo Kingdom, with Jaja becoming its first Amanyanabo.
Under King Jaja, Opobo developed into a major political and commercial power in the Oil Rivers region, particularly through the palm produce trade.

Speaking after the coronation, former President Jonathan congratulated King Charles and the people of Opobo, describing the history of King Jaja as one of the notable stories of the Niger Delta.

Jonathan said he had visited the place where King Jaja was exiled while serving the country and recalled that the former monarch remained respected there for his leadership qualities.

“I listened to your speech, and I’m quite pleased with your commitment. We believe that your reign will bring peace to Opobo, bring development to Opobo, bring unity to Opobo,” Jonathan said.

He assured the new monarch that government institutions would work with him to support the development of the kingdom.

“So, once again, my wife, my family, we congratulate you. And we thank God for today. We congratulate the people of Opobo. We congratulate the people of Rivers State, and indeed, we congratulate the Nigerian people,” he added.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Prof. Ngozi conveyed the governor’s goodwill message to the new monarch, describing the coronation as a celebration of the history, identity, culture and heritage of Opobo Kingdom.

According to Fubara, traditional institutions have an important role in preserving cultural values, promoting unity and maintaining peace in communities.
“Your coronation is not merely the installation of a traditional ruler; it is a celebration of our history, identity, culture, and enduring heritage,” the governor said in the address read by his representative.

Fubara urged the new monarch to continue serving as a custodian of Opobo’s heritage and a partner in the development of Rivers State.

He prayed that the reign of King Charles would be marked by “wisdom, peace, unity, and progress,” while wishing him “a peaceful, prosperous, and enduring reign.”

The Obi of Onitsha, Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, also congratulated King Charles, recalling the longstanding relationship between Opobo and Onitsha, which he said was built on trade and mutual respect.

Achebe, who recalled attending the installation of King Charles’ predecessor, described King Jaja as a man of dignity and said the new monarch had inherited a tradition of dignity and leadership.
“Your ancestor father, King Jaja, was an honest man, was a man of dignity. And he related with the British on the basis of dignity,” Achebe said.

He prayed for continued peace, growth and development in Opobo and expressed hope that the relationship between Opobo and Onitsha would continue to strengthen.

“My prayer is that Opobo will continue to grow and flourish under you,” he said.
King pledges new direction for Opobo.