Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has presented certificate of recognition to former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, as a traditional ruler in the state.
The governor presented the certificate to Dokubo as the Amayanabo of Torusarama-Piri Elem Kalabari at the traditional rulers’ quarterly general meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The governor also presented certificates of recognition to three other monarchs.
The monarchs are Winston Odiye Alamina (Oputibeya XII, Amayanabo of the Koniju Kingdom), Eze Noble Friday Uwoh (Eze Igbu-Ehuda IV), and Ike Ehie (Eze Igbu Orlukwor).
While congratulating the monarchs for the recognition, Governor Fubara urged them not to see their new positions as a tool for personal aggrandizement, but rather, they should see it as a call for service and responsibility to help the government protect lives and property in their respective domains.
He said, “Let me first of all, on behalf of the government, congratulate the four of you. It has not been an easy journey to get to this point. I know a lot of you have been working very hard to ensure the success of this day. Your appointment in terms of this recognition is not for personal aggrandizement, but a call for service, a responsibility to help us protect lives and property in your domains.”
The Governor stated that though government has the power to withdraw the recognition from any traditional ruler found wanting, he quickly added that it is not his intention to exercise such authority and warned them not to use the privileged positions to create problems in their domains but to join forces with government to ensure the success of the administration’s avowed commitment to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
He said, “I don’t want you to see this elevation as another platform to create problems in your locality. We have the power to still withdraw the recognition, but I don’t intend to do that. So, I want you to be partners with the government to ensure that we continue to succeed,” he pointed out.
He added, “I know that you are all men of integrity. Support the course of governance so that we can all succeed together. It is really a privileged position, and I am very sure that you are going to use it to the best of the interest of your people.”
In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Engr Charles Amadi, said the newly recognized traditional rulers include two Royal Majesties and two Royal Highnesses, and commended Governor Fubara for adding into the number of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in the State.
