A group of Concerned Kalabari Youths has paid a thank-you visit to the Amanyanabo of Elem-Kalabari, Torusarama-Piri, HRH Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari (Dabaye Amakiri I), commending his alleged contributions to the protection and development of the Kalabari people.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the group’s leader, Mr Charles Cotterell, expressed appreciation to the traditional ruler for what he described as his efforts to protect Kalabari land and waterways, as well as the Emohua and East-West Road corridors.
Cotterell also praised Dokubo-Asari for providing employment for more than 1,000 Kalabari indigenes and empowering hundreds of others, describing the initiatives as evidence of his commitment to the welfare of the people.
He assured the traditional ruler of the youths’ continued support and solidarity, saying they recognised the personal sacrifices he had made for the Kalabari people and neighbouring communities.
Cotterell urged the King to remain committed to his initiatives despite criticism from some members of the Kalabari community, whom he accused of distancing themselves from their history and speaking negatively against the traditional ruler.
Also speaking, Mr Kelvine Obinichi from Emohua thanked Dokubo-Asari for deploying security personnel along the Emohua-Igbakiri Road. He said the presence of the personnel had helped protect farmers and residents in the area over the past five years.
Responding, Dokubo-Asari thanked the youths for the visit and said his interventions were motivated by his desire to promote development and protect lives and property.
The traditional ruler disclosed that the security personnel deployed along the highway and East-West Road were maintained with his personal resources, stressing that he had not received financial support or contracts from the Rivers State Government for the operation.
He said he had no interest in government contracts, explaining that the decision to deploy security personnel was particularly influenced by the kidnapping and rape of one of his staff members along the road.
Dokubo-Asari also took issue with claims that improved security along the Emohua-Kalabari corridor was solely the result of road construction under the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him, such claims failed to recognise the security efforts that contributed to making the route safer for residents, farmers and businesses, including Julius Berger PLC.
The traditional ruler further expressed concern over what he described as persistent attacks against him on social media, saying some of those criticising him lacked an understanding of their history.
He maintained that his interventions were motivated by conviction and a sense of responsibility rather than personal interests.
The visit ended with the youths reaffirming their solidarity with Dokubo-Asari and their commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at protecting the dignity, security and development of the Kalabari people.
