- To partner state, fed govt, multinationals in growth, devt of area
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The newly elected king of Opobo kingdom in Rivers State, Alabo Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, has assured his regime will ensure sustained peace and security in the area.
King Jaja said his administration will strive to promote sustainable growth to harness their resources in a way that benefits the people and protect the environment for future generations.
The monarch made the promise at the weekend, while addressing the Opobo Council of Alapu on his presentation by King Jaja Group of Houses as the Amanyanabo Elect of Opobo.
King Jaja who assured that his administration will celebrate their cultural inheritance, preserve their traditions and pass them unpolluted to their children and grandchildren, said "We will embark on institutional reforms to make our administration transparent and accountable".
The monarch stated "The Chapter six of the Opobo History have begun and as I stand before you today, I am humbled by the weight of the crown yet be placed on my head, I am reminded of the great responsibility that comes with the noble office and I hereby pledge to uphold the trust that has been bestowed upon me.
"Our kingdom is blessed with a rich cultural heritage, a vibrant tapestry of traditions, and a resilient people. As we look to the future, we must ensure that our development is guided by a commitment to preserving our unique identity and way of life."
He stated that "A key pillar of our development will be investing in potential of our people, particularly our youths. We will prioritise education, skills development and empowerment programme that equip our young people with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
"To preserve our cultural heritage, we will continue to document and promote our traditions, establish cultural centers and vigorously incorporate Ibani language into our domestic usages and local systems and facilitate cultural exchange programme with our ancient kingdom Bonny to promote cross-cultural understandings."
He added: "We will work closely with our Local Government, Rivers State Government which fortunately Amaopusenibo Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, GSSRS, manilla Tree awardee of Opobo Kingdom is our governor and our noble son in whom we are well pleased, the federal government to ensure alignment and coordination of our development initiatives.
We will also engage with the multinational corporations to leverage their expertise, resources and global connections to drive growth and development of our kingdom", King Jaja assured.
Speaking with journalists, Dr Enyinna Seigha Jaja, immediate past chairman of King Jaja Royal War Canoe House, said the process of the emergence of king Jaja was transparent.
He said "The process was managed by the entire Jaja Group of Houses according to tradition and custom. We are happy that we have a king, because if you do not have a king, the entire community will be in disarray but now that we have a king, I know that the King will build on whatever the predecessor did and move this kingdom to another level".
On his part, Chief Princewill Dappa, Vice Chairman, Opobo Kingdom Council of Alapu, stressed, "It is an epoch-making event in Opobo Kingdom. It is something you can only witness, maybe once in your life time, so that is why all of us are happy to receive our new king-elect, because formally, there will be coronation to become His Royal Majesty, King Prince Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, that would be his new title after coronation.
"Now, he is the Amanyanabo-Elect of this great Kingdom. And we are happy, everybody is happy, and you can see the event is moving smoothly, there is no rancour, there is no bitterness, everybody is happy to see him on the throne, it is a welcome development", Chief Dappa stressed.
On his part, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Sylvanus Cookey (Emeritus) said "We are here as a Council of Alapu in Opobo Kingdom to receive our newly elected monarch, who we are delighted to see as a unique choice, the person who we all accept as a unique candidate, a unique person actually to pilot the affairs of this Kingdom.
The emeritus Professor of History added "We are expecting the continuation of our cultural traditions, strengthening of our institutions, the development, particularly economic development of this kingdom under his guidance".
King Jaja took over from the recently announced late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.