The Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Maduabebe Daukoru, has commended the decades-long agitation and advocacy of the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, for the Niger Delta.
Daukoru gave the commendation on Tuesday when Dokubo-Asari visited his palace in Port Harcourt to invite him to SE DIYE, the final rites of his coronation, scheduled for December 19, 2026, at the King Amachree Memorial Hall in Buguma.
The Nembe monarch recalled the personal risks Dokubo-Asari faced during his years of activism, including threats to his life, property, businesses and associates.
He urged the new traditional ruler to use his position to strengthen unity among Ijaw kingdoms and advocate greater economic justice for the Niger Delta.
Daukoru also called on Dokubo-Asari to become an active voice in the South-South Monarchs Forum, saying traditional rulers in the region must work together to address the marginalisation of their people.
“We must ensure that those exploiting our resources adequately compensate our people,” he said.
Welcoming Dokubo-Asari into the fellowship of Amanyanabos, Daukoru described his emergence as a traditional ruler as a significant milestone.
In his response, Dokubo-Asari recalled the support and kindness the Nembe monarch showed him during the Niger Delta struggle, including when he was a prisoner and Daukoru was serving as a minister.
He described the Nembe palace as a home and pledged to sustain their relationship while continuing to seek the monarch’s counsel.
Dokubo-Asari also expressed condolences to Daukoru over the death of one of his sons.
Daukoru, a geologist and former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries before ascending the throne of Nembe Kingdom in 2008.
The monarch pledged to attend the December 19 coronation ceremony with a delegation of chiefs.
