Jonathan, Obi Of Onitsha, Olu Of Warri Attend As MacPepple Jaja Emerges Sixth Opobo King
By Mercy Tula, OPOBO KINGDOM –Â Former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Obi of Onitsha and the Olu of Warri were among prominent Nigerians and traditional rulers who converged on Opobo Town, Rivers State, on Saturday as King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja was crowned the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom.
The coronation, held at the historic King Jaja Square, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, marked the formal installation of the monarch following his election to the throne in December 2025.
MacPepple Jaja’s emergence followed the death of the previous occupant of the Opobo throne, bringing to an end the process of selecting a new traditional ruler for the historic kingdom.
The ceremony attracted political leaders, royal fathers, government officials, community leaders, business personalities and indigenes of Opobo Kingdom, turning the ancient town into a gathering of influential figures from across Nigeria.
The new monarch was anointed and crowned by the Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, in a ceremony that combined Christian rites with the rich traditional heritage of the Opobo people.
Jonathan’s presence, alongside the Obi of Onitsha and the Olu of Warri, underscored the wider traditional and national significance attached to the installation of the new Opobo monarch.
Other traditional rulers and dignitaries also graced the occasion, paying homage to the new Amanyanabo and offering prayers and goodwill messages for his reign.
The coronation came at a time when traditional institutions in the Niger Delta continue to play significant roles in community leadership, cultural preservation, peace-building and engagement with government and other stakeholders.
For Opobo Kingdom, the installation of the sixth Amanyanabo represents both the continuation of a historic royal institution and the beginning of a new chapter under the leadership of MacPepple Jaja.
The ceremony was also marked by colourful cultural displays, traditional processions and celebrations by indigenes and visitors who gathered to witness the historic event.
Speaking through their presence and goodwill messages, dignitaries at the ceremony congratulated the new monarch and expressed expectations that his reign would promote peace, unity and development in Opobo Kingdom and the wider Niger Delta.
King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja now assumes the traditional leadership of the Opobo people as the sixth Amanyanabo of the kingdom.
