Monarch, Others Extol King Jaja’s Legacies … As Festival Lights Up Opobo Town

The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, has extolled the qualities of the Late King Jaja.
The Opobo Kings during the annual Jeki Alali festival, 2024 held in Opobo Town recently, said the founder of Opobo paid the supreme sacrifice which many Opobo people are enjoying today.
He stressed the need for all sons and daughters to maintain that legacy by ensuring the growth and betterment of the community.
On his part, Amaopusenibo Randolph Omubo -Pepple thanked God for those who attended the event which is of common heritage.
He said, “It is an event to remember the exploits of our father, the Jaja of Opobo, to celebrate unity, and the ability to surmount challenges of the previous year”.
For this year’s event, he assured the people that they would build on the standards set already as a competition of various houses as he wished them the best.
Recalling that 2023 had been challenging, he thanked King Jaja V for his untiring effort to ensure the event is sustained, while calling for concepts and novel ideas to drive the celebrations.
He used the opportunity to invite those in places of authority to support the growth of the Jaja House and Opobo Kingdom.
In his speech, Prof Jones Michael Jaja, a Professor of African History at the Rivers State University said “Jeki” is a title and a replication of who Jaja was to show his personality.
In his words, “It tries to show the empathy of King Jaja and the ultimate sacrifice of King Jaja. And besides that, it is time the current King uses to recognise and honour those who have contributed to the house.”
Prof. Jaja, while urging members of Jaja House to maintain their support to the celebration, called for the setting up of a foundation to sustain the legacies of Jaja. which should be supported by a board of trustees. “I urge you to keep this spirit alive and this will help sustain the ultimate sacrifice of King Jaja.”
On his part, former Chairman of Rivers State Traffic Management Authority, Amaopusenibo Nelson Jaja, commended King Jaja V for the peace and development his reign has brought to Opobo Kingdom.
On the Jeki Alali festival, he noted that King Jaja left one of the greatest legacies in Africa, as he stressed that the celebration should be a time of giving and sharing with others. “When you give, it does not mean that you have but giving is of the heart.”