Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Obi of Onitsha,His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe, are among dignitaries expected at the coronation of the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty, Charles Douglas MacPepple-Jaja next month.

This follows a visit by the Amanyanabo-elect and Opobo Council of Alapu to the ex-President Jonathan’s residence in  Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

King MacPepple-Jaja became Amanyanabo-elect following the death of King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.

The former president while describing Opobo as a historic kingdom, said its monarch had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s history.

“Opobo Kingdom is a place with history, and this visit is a big honour,” Jonathan said.

Confirming his attendance at the coronation,  Jonathan said “We will come to honour you back.”

The former President congratulated the Amanyanabo-elect and acknowledged the importance of the Opobo throne to the history of the Niger Delta.

On his part, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja said the visit was intended to rub minds on issues of common interest in the region and to formally invite the former President, a foremost ijaw son and Nigerian leader to the coronation.

“We cannot coronate an Opobo monarch without coming to see you,” King Charles told Jonathan.

The Opobo monarch and his delegation had earlier visited the Obi Of Onitsha at his palace in Onitsha, Anambra State during which they intimated the monarch of the forthcoming coronation.

The Obi of Onitsha who received the Opobo delegation recalled old ties between the two kingdoms, saying both were key trade allies in the 19th centuries.

Achebe assured King Jaja VI of his presence to witness the coronation next month.

The coronation was scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26.

The Tide reports that Opobo monarchy was established by King Jaja of Opobo, who became a major political and commercial authority in the 19th Niger Delta.

Following the Bonny civil conflict of the late 1860s, Jaja and his compatriots established Opobo as an independent political and commercial centre, developing a trading network and exercising significant influence over the palm-oil trade between the Niger Delta hinterland and the Atlantic coast.

Britain then entered into a commercial treaty with Jaja in 1873, formally recognising him as King of Opobo.

Jaja later clashed with British commercial and imperial interests and was arrested and exiled in 1887, an episode that remains part of the history of colonial relations in the Niger Delta.

Other dignitaries expected at the coronation include traditional rulers, political leaders, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders and Opobo indigenes from Nigeria and abroad.

 By: Kevin Nengia

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says the rehabilitation of the runway at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt reflects the strength of collaboration between the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Air Force in tackling national security challenges.

Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka  Nzeshi, disclosed this at the commissioning ceremony of the runway last Thursday, describing the project as a “statement of intent” that Rivers State stands firmly with the Armed Forces.

“It is a great pleasure and a distinct honour to be here today at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, for the commissioning of this rehabilitated runway. What we commission this day is more than concrete and asphalt. It is a statement of intent — a declaration that Rivers State stands firmly with those who stand guard over Nigeria,” he said.

The governor said the government and people of Rivers State are proud to be associated with the historic intervention, noting that the NAF remains one of the institutions upon which Nigeria’s unity rests.

“We recognise the Nigerian Air Force as one of the pillars upon which our nationhood rests — an institution whose men and women continue to make enormous sacrifices in defence of our territorial integrity, in the protection of our critical national assets, and in the pursuit of peace and stability across the length and breadth of this country,” Fubara stated.

He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for providing leadership that continues to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

He explained that national security is the foundation for every other area of development.

“As Commander-in-Chief, Mr. President has remained firm in his commitment to equipping and repositioning our security institutions, in the clear understanding that national security is not merely one item on the list of national priorities — it is the foundation upon which every other item rests. There can be no thriving economy without security,” he said.

Fubara stressed that because Rivers State is the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the security of the state is directly tied to the security of the nation.

“Rivers State occupies a strategic position in the economic life of this nation. As the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, our communities, our waterways, our industries and our infrastructure carry a burden of national significance. The security of Rivers State is therefore inseparable from the security of Nigeria itself,” he said.

Describing the runway rehabilitation as a product of that sense of duty, the governor said it is a duty for a responsible state government to support institutions mandated to safeguard national assets.

“That is the spirit in which this runway was rehabilitated. It is a demonstration of our administration’s conviction that meaningful progress is built on genuine collaboration between the Federal Government and the sub-national governments. Security is a collective responsibility,” he stated.

According to him, the facility will deliver immediate operational gains for the NAF in the South-South.

“The benefits of this facility are practical and immediate. It will enhance the operational capability of the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt. It will improve the efficiency and the safety of aerial operations. It will strengthen rapid-response capacity in those moments when time itself is the difference between order and disorder,” he said.

Fubara added that the rehabilitated runway would also support the Federal Government’s campaign against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

According to him, it will boost the ongoing campaign against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism, and the other criminal enterprises that continue to bleed the national economy.

He noted that the ceremony also reflects the excellent working relationship between the state and the Air Force, which extends beyond infrastructure to personnel welfare.

“Today’s ceremony is also a reflection of the excellent working relationship between the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Air Force. Beyond this runway, our administration has continued to provide support directed at improving operational effectiveness and at advancing the welfare of the gallant officers and personnel who serve here,” he stated.

The governor commended the Chief of Air Staff and personnel of the NAF for their sacrifice, and all those who worked on the project.

“As this rehabilitated runway is commissioned today, we renew our pledge of partnership, of patriotism, and of service to our dear nation. May this facility stand as an enduring symbol of cooperation, of strength, and of our shared commitment to the peace and prosperity of Rivers State and of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, who performed the ceremonial rituals of commissioning the facility, hailed the Rivers State Government on the successful completion and unveiling of the newly rehabilitated runway.

Aneke said it was an eloquent testimony of the  robust collaboration between the Nigerian Air force and the Rivers State Government in the security sector.

The new facility, Aneke said, will enhance the operations of the Nigeria Air force particularly in the task of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure in Rivers State.

He  described the rehabilitated runway as timely and critical to ongoing air operations, training, and disaster response missions in the South-South region.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education in the State.

The governor, while inaugurating the newly reconstructed Bonny National Grammar School project last Friday, also awarded full scholarships to students of “Team Rivers” who recently won the National Inter-Schools Debate Championship.

Fubara, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, said government must not just fund education but sustain programmes that add value to the people, describing education as the most critical investment for the future of the State.

He described the commissioning of the newly reconstructed Bonny National Grammar School as historic, noting that it was the first time in over 20 years that a state government was visiting Bonny to deliver a project instead of making campaign promises.

“I need to say this, maybe I stand to be corrected but – this is the first time in over twenty years that government is coming to Bonny to commission a project. We’ve been coming here to campaign. We’ve come here to make promises. But now we have gone a step further to ensure that we break that jinx,” he said

The governor said the visit was to demonstrate the importance his administration attached to the Bonny National Grammar School and to reassure the people of Bonny that they remain an integral part of Rivers State.

“So, what we have come here to do today, is to demonstrate the significance of this wonderful institution and to tell the good people of Bonny that government still remembers you and that you’re part of Rivers State,” he said.

Tracing the history of the school, Fubara recalled that the institution began in 1965 as a community initiative and has produced many leaders of Bonny Kingdom.

“The story of this school, for those of you who are indigenes of Bonny dates back to many years ago.  It was a community initiative in 1965 that gave birth to the present Grammar School. When this school started, it was named Government Secondary School, Ogwugwumaka, Bonny. But later on, with improvements and developments and with the growth of the Bonny Kingdom, it was changed to Bonny Grammar School. I believe that the Who is Who in Bonny, a greater number of them, passed through this Grammar School,” he said.

The governor said the project was deliberately sited in Bonny to show that his administration prefers action to promises.

“So, the success we are sharing today, is to water the ground so that when we are coming here to campaign, we don’t need to make promises again because you have already seen action. When I’m coming with our party to campaign, you’ll be confident that your brother did something,” Fubara said.

He linked the importance of the intervention to the economic role of Bonny, noting that education remains the pathway for indigenes to benefit from opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

“Today, we have the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and other multinationals that are operating in Bonny. Some of our people are working with them and they are working with them because of education. We intend to better the lot of Bonny through education, knowing the importance of Bonny in the hydrocarbon and energy development of Nigeria,” the governor stated.

Fubara commended the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom for his leadership in attracting development to the kingdom.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Government to the growth of the State economy, especially the delivery of the Bonny-Bodo Road project which has made trips to Bonny Island seamless.

“Let me thank everyone, most especially the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, who has stood with the people of Bonny and who has continued to uplift the people of Bonny by attracting meaningful projects to Bonny. What the Amanyanabo has done today has placed Bonny on the map of Africa and the world,” he said.

In a major highlight, the governor announced full scholarships for all members of Team Rivers who emerged champions at the just concluded Presidential Inter-Schools Debate Championship.

“Today is not just about the hardware development because we just celebrated a software – our children who participated in the Presidential Debate and performed excellently even in the most difficult conditions. They came out first in the championship. For this particular outstanding performance, we are giving those students scholarships. The Commissioner for Education and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, take note and work out the modalities. For every one of them that participated, we must make sure that we take full responsibility for their education starting from this minute,” he declared.

Fubara thanked the people of Bonny for their support and pledged that his administration would continue to deliver more projects in the area.

“I’m really happy. I’m happy because it’s happening in our own time. I’m a happy person today because we have done something that looked impossible. I believe that going forward, it will be progress, development, improvement and commissioning of more projects for the Bonny people,” he said.

The Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward William Asimini Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, who was special guest of honour at the occasion, described the event as more than the commissioning of a school.

According to the paramount ruler, it is the restoration of a legacy and an investment in the future.

“Today, we are witnessing the renewal of an institution that has formed an important part of the educational history of our dear Kingdom. For generations, Bonny National Grammar School has served as a centre of learning, discipline, and character formation. It has led to the intellectual development of Bonny young men and women who have gone on to distinguish themselves in different professions and areas of public service,” he said.

The royal father noted that the story of the Bonny National Grammar School is inseparable from the story of educational advancement of Bonny Kingdom.

According to him, the event carries so much significance because it is not just about opening renovated classrooms, laboratories and libraries, but giving new life to a legacy.

He expressed profound appreciation to the governor and his administration for undertaking the rehabilitation project, describing the reconstruction works and furnishing of the school as a practical demonstration that the administration recognises the importance of education to the development of the Bonny Kingdom and Rivers State.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peter Nwagor, who made a presentation on the scope of work done on the school disclosed that apart from the renovation of the classrooms, the school now has fully equipped laboratories for Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, alongside a technical workshop building and a new ICT center.

The renovated facility also has modern hostel facilities, staff quarters, an assembly hall, a dedicated sick bay, a fully furnished library stocked with books, digital tools, and research materials.

Others are a new sports arena featuring volleyball, basketball courts for talent development, internal road networks with drainage systems, solar-powered street lighting, an upgraded low-voltage electrical power distribution network, a perimeter fencing with a security gatehouse, interlocking stone pavements, and a car park.