Opobo Community Gets Chief After 127 Years

Chief Prince Saturday Jaja House, in the King Jaja Group of Houses, Opobo Town, Rivers State witnessed a mammoth crowd of guests from all walks of life recently, when one of its distinguished and illustrious sons was traditionally installed as successor to the stool that was vacant for the past years after the death of Late Chief Prince Saturday Jack Jaja.
The occasion which began with the hoisting of flags and decorations, shooting of canon with ekerefari; the dedication of the stool, gigs display that heralded the installation of Alabo Dr. Reuben Mietamuno Saturday Jaja as Prince Soide Jaja II in the presence of the who is who in the society at the King Jaja’s courtyard.
According to the Secretary of the Chief Prince Saturday Jaja Seniapu Council, Warisenibo Samuel Adabibi Jaja, it started many years ago, when it became obvious for the house to produce a successor to the stool, which had been vacant for all these years. “The search began and Ama-Opu-Senibo (Dr) Reuben Mietamuno Saturday Jaja from Ada Mietamuno Jaja family unit was selected and presented to the entire house that endorsed their approval,” he stressed.
Jaja maintained that the selection of the Alabo Prince Saturday Jack Jaja War Canoe House is done by election, where all the Seniapu Council members are given opportunity to vote in support of respective candidate upon the result of the polls, such candidate is presented to the house for affirmation, after which the house would inform the King Jaja Executive Authority through the head. Upon presentation and confirmation, the candidate becomes the Alabo designate of the house.
Jaja noted that on November 5, 2020, Alabo Reuben Mietamuno Saturday Jaja, Prince Soide Jaja II was presented to the house that endorsed their approval with blessings showered according to customs and traditions on him.
The House Secretary also disclosed to journalists that after the approval, a high-powered installation committee was constituted by the house; while preparation was ongoing, the stage was set for the event. Our reporter gathered that sequel to the death of Chief Prince Saturday Jack Jaja in 1872; the house was taken care of by an avalanche of Chairmen without the expected results that metamorphosed into the presentation of the Alabo to the Amanyanabo-in-Council on February 5, 2021 for recognition. “We are here today celebrating the installation and induction of Dr. Reuben Mietamuno Saturday Jaja into the Opobo Council of Alapu”.
It was equally discovered that on the day in retrospect, the newly installed Alabo was presented to the monarch and his Council of Alapu for formal induction.

By: Bethel Toby