By Mark Lenu
The chiefs of the South-South geopolitical zone of the country have rolled out this week to celebrate the one year anniversary of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari on his throne as the Edi-Abali of Kalabari Kingdom.
A statement jointly signed by the Anniversary Organising Committee Chairman, Dr Ebbi Robinson and Secretary, Sepiribo Braide, the celebration started November 1st to 2nd at the Da Edi Polo, in the Buguma headquarters of Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State.
Speaking with our correspondent, the National Chairman of the South-south, Elders, and Opinion Leaders of Nigeria, High Chief (Dr) Omubo Atuboinoma Harry (JP) described Alhaji Asari as a fearless freedom fighter who came to rescue the Niger Deltans from marginalization and oppression.
High Chief Harry who is also the Head Chief of the Atuboinoma Group of Houses in the Obuama Community of Kalabari Kingdom said Alhaji Asari is a blessing to the Kalabari Kingdom and the Niger Delta at large.
His words: “Alhaji Dokubo Asari who is the current Edi-Abali of Kalabari Kingdom was born in the royal family of King Amachree and his biological father was a jurist. He was a law student in the university before he left it to answer the freedom-fighting call for the Niger Delta region.
“Every person has a destiny and Alhaji Asari came into the limelight as a no-nonsense man. Right from youth, he doesn’t take nonsense. That is who he is.
“He came in to deliver the Niger Deltans from oppression and marginalization. He is a freedom fighter. So, we the people of the Niger Delta owe Alhaji Asari a lot who came out single-handedly to fight against marginalization and oppression.
“One of the most disheartening is when the crude oil is coming from the Niger Delta region and the environment is nothing to write home about. So, Alhaji Asari took that challenge as a course and did his best to fight against marginalization by the oppressors. And that is why I also named him, a freedom fighter.
“His policy is that what you know should not be done against you; you shouldn’t do it against others. Alhaji Asari is a fearless human being.
“Alhaji Asari was given the Edi-Abali traditional title to head the stool of one of the founders of Kalabari Kingdom. The Edi-Abali was one of the strong men who co-founded the Kalabari Kingdom.
“So, his stool anniversary is a celebration of the entire Umubo Group of Houses, a celebration of the whole Buguma Council of Chiefs, and also a celebration of the entire Kalabari Kingdom because of the Edi-Abali stool he is occupying.
“Alhaji Dokubo Asari is a blessing to the Kalabari Kingdom just as the biblical Moses was to the Israelites when they were suffering in Egypt. Moses led the Israelites out of bondage and that is what Alhaji Asari has done to the Niger Deltans.
“If not for the likes of Alhaji Asari, I don’t think the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority would have been created. These were our basic rights that were denied of the Niger Deltans by the oppressors. So, Alhaji Asari is the Moses who fought Pharaoh and led the Israelites out of bondage.
So, that is how I see Alhaji Dokubo Asari, the Edi Abali of Kalabari Kingdom. We all rejoice with him on his one year anniversary. We also pray that God Almighty should give him long life to pilot the affairs of the ancient stool he is occupying.”
Alhaji Asari now holds the traditional title of His Highness Opuda Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari.
Inabiobuari II, Alabo Edi Abali of Kalabari Kingdom, and the Paramount Head of Da-Edi Group of Houses and its Satellite Communities.
