The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has accepted an invitation to attend the coronation of Mujahid Dokubo-Asari as the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari in Rivers State.
The decision follows a visit by Dokubo-Asari to the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, where the Kalabari leader formally requested the Yoruba monarch’s presence at the upcoming ceremony. The attendance of the Ooni, one of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers, is expected to draw a large number of dignitaries to the Niger Delta region for the event.
During the meeting, the Ooni hosted the Amanyanabo-elect to discuss the forthcoming rites and the importance of traditional institutions in maintaining social stability within the country.
The role of the Amanyanabo in Kalabari tradition
The appointment of Mujahid Dokubo-Asari to the stool of the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari represents a transition for the Niger Delta figure, who has been a prominent voice in regional politics and security matters. As the Amanyanabo, he will assume the position of the supreme traditional authority for the Elem Kalabari people.
The Elem Kalabari are a major subgroup of the Kalabari nation, which is part of the broader Ijaw ethnic group. The Amanyanabo serves as the custodian of the community’s cultural heritage, presiding over traditional councils and acting as a representative for the people in engagements with the government and other stakeholders.
The coronation process involves complex traditional rites that are specific to the Kalabari people, serving to formally install the ruler and validate his authority over the community. The ceremony is seen as a vital link between the ancestors of the Elem Kalabari and the current leadership.
The presence of the Ooni of Ife at the ceremony is viewed as a gesture of cultural diplomacy between the South-West and the South-South. Traditional rulers in Nigeria often act as mediators and symbols of unity, and the interaction between the Ife monarchy and the Kalabari traditional institution reflects this inter-ethnic engagement.
The Elem Kalabari traditional council is expected to announce the final date and venue for the coronation festivities in the coming weeks.
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