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AMANYANABO DOKUBO-ASARI TAKES ROYAL DIPLOMACY TO ILE-IFE, SEEKS CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC ALLIANCE WITH OONI
By Al Humphrey Onyanabo
From The Source of the Kalabari Kingdom to the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, the Elem Kalabari monarch extends a hand of friendship to the Ooni of Ife as preparations intensify for his SE DIYE coronation rites on December 19, 2026, following earlier visits to the Sultan of Sokoto and the Etsu Nupe.
In a significant move to strengthen relationships among Nigeria’s historic traditional institutions, Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Amanyanabo of the Chiefdom and Principalities of The Source, Elem Kalabari, and Torusarama Piri of the Kalabari Kingdom, has visited the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to explore opportunities for stronger cultural, historical and economic ties between Elem Kalabari and Ile-Ife.
The visit also provided an opportunity for Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari to extend a personal invitation to the Ooni and his council to attend SE DIYE, the final rites of his coronation, scheduled for December 19, 2026, in Buguma, Rivers State.
Beyond the formalities of a royal audience, the meeting represents an opportunity to deepen relations between two traditional institutions whose identities are rooted in ancestral heritage, historical continuity and the preservation of indigenous civilisation.
Explaining the purpose of his visit, Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari said:
“It is based on the cordial relationship that we have built that I am here today to invite His Imperial Majesty and his council to my SE DIYE, the final rites of coronation, on December 19, 2026, in Buguma.”
Welcoming the Kalabari monarch to his palace in Ile-Ife, the Ooni commended him for the visit and acknowledged their relationship. Describing Dokubo-Asari as fearless, he remarked that “the fear of Asari Dokubo is the beginning of wisdom.”
The Ooni also acknowledged the monarch’s relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the manner in which he had handled his responsibilities since becoming Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari. He further expressed appreciation for Dokubo-Asari’s visit, describing it as a return home to Ile-Ife.
As a mark of honour and friendship, the Ooni presented the Kalabari monarch with a bronze artwork, explaining that it symbolised the importance of the people as the foundation of leadership and strength.
The reception was marked by elaborate royal courtesies, with different groups of chiefs and priests from across Ile-Ife gathering to pay homage to the Ooni and offer prayers for his continued good health, longevity and peaceful reign. The scale and character of the reception reflected the significance attached to the visit.
A MEETING OF TWO HISTORIC TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The encounter brings together two royal institutions with distinctive histories and enduring cultural identities.
The Ooni occupies the throne of Ile-Ife, widely revered in Yoruba tradition as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation. Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari, meanwhile, bears the title associated with The Source, Elem Kalabari, Torusarama Piri, a traditional institution connected to the ancestral heritage and historical identity of the Kalabari people.
The convergence of these institutions presents an opportunity to build a contemporary relationship around cultural diplomacy, historical research, mutual recognition and economic cooperation.
Although their historical experiences and cultural traditions are distinct, both communities share an interest in preserving their heritage and ensuring that ancestral knowledge remains relevant to younger generations.
A stronger relationship could create opportunities for cultural festivals, academic exchanges, historical documentation, heritage tourism, creative industries and commercial partnerships linking the Niger Delta with southwestern Nigeria.
For Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari, the outreach also provides an opportunity to extend the significance of his forthcoming coronation beyond the boundaries of the Kalabari Kingdom and establish relationships that could endure beyond ceremonial occasions.
A ROYAL THRONE, A HISTORIC LEGACY AND A NEW CHAPTER
The emergence of Da Amakiri Tubo as Amanyanabo of The Source represents an important chapter in the continuing history of traditional leadership in Elem Kalabari.
His position places him within an institution shaped by the origins, customs, political evolution and collective identity of the Kalabari people. His forthcoming final coronation rites therefore carry significance beyond the formal recognition of a monarch.
Across Nigeria, traditional rulers continue to occupy important positions in cultural preservation, community leadership, conflict resolution and the promotion of social cohesion. Their institutions also provide platforms for dialogue between communities, particularly where shared interests in heritage, education and development exist.
Against this backdrop, Dokubo-Asari’s engagement with the Ooni of Ife can be viewed as an effort to connect the Kalabari traditional institution with other historic centres of authority and cultural influence.
The proposed relationship offers scope for practical collaboration in documenting indigenous histories, promoting cultural education, encouraging tourism and developing partnerships between businesses and creative enterprises in both regions.
The long-term value of such engagement will depend on the ability of both institutions to translate royal goodwill into sustained programmes and mutually beneficial initiatives.
FROM THE SOURCE TO THE CRADLE OF YORUBA CIVILISATION
Ile-Ife occupies a central place in Yoruba history, spirituality and cultural consciousness. Its status as the ancestral cradle of Yoruba civilisation makes it a major centre for the preservation and transmission of Yoruba heritage.
Elem Kalabari, on the other hand, possesses a rich maritime history shaped by commerce, diplomacy, traditional governance and the canoe-house system, which played a significant role in the development of Kalabari political and economic life.
The title of Amanyanabo of The Source carries particular significance within the Kalabari traditional institution, reflecting the historical identity and ancestral heritage associated with Elem Kalabari.
The meeting between the two monarchs therefore creates a compelling platform for cultural diplomacy: Ile-Ife, revered in Yoruba tradition as the source of Yoruba civilisation, and The Source, Elem Kalabari, with its own traditions of origin, royal heritage and historical identity.
A closer relationship could encourage exchanges between cultural institutions, support historical research and create opportunities for younger people to learn about the traditions that have shaped both communities.
It could also provide a foundation for joint cultural programmes, heritage tourism initiatives and the promotion of indigenous knowledge as an important component of Nigeria’s cultural and economic development.
ROYAL DIPLOMACY GATHERS MOMENTUM: SULTAN OF SOKOTO AND ETSU NUPE
The visit to the Ooni of Ife follows a series of royal engagements by Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari, including visits to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Etsu Nupe.
These engagements form part of an outreach effort aimed at strengthening relationships between Elem Kalabari and traditional institutions across Nigeria’s diverse cultural regions as preparations continue for SE DIYE.
During his visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Dokubo-Asari extended a personal invitation to the revered monarch to attend the December 19 ceremony in Buguma.
The meeting also highlighted their personal relationship, including their shared experience of performing the Hajj pilgrimage, and the importance of friendship and mutual understanding among traditional rulers.
His engagement with the Etsu Nupe further extended the outreach to another historic traditional institution.
Taken together, the visits to the Sultan of Sokoto, the Etsu Nupe and the Ooni of Ife place the forthcoming coronation within a broader framework of inter-kingdom relations.
Rather than limiting SE DIYE to a celebration centred exclusively on Elem Kalabari, the monarch’s outreach seeks to use the occasion as a platform for dialogue, cultural exchange and stronger relationships across Nigeria.
The initiative also highlights the potential of traditional institutions to encourage cooperation across geographical, cultural and religious boundaries while preserving the distinct identities of their respective peoples.
SE DIYE: BUGUMA PREPARES FOR A LANDMARK ROYAL CEREMONY
The invitation extended to the Ooni of Ife forms part of preparations for SE DIYE, the final coronation rites marking the ascension of Da Amakiri Tubo as Amanyanabo of The Source, Torusarama Piri, Elem Kalabari.
The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 2026, at King Amachree Memorial Hall in Buguma, Rivers State.
The occasion is expected to bring together traditional rulers, political leaders, public officials, cultural figures and other distinguished guests from across Nigeria and beyond.
For the people of Elem Kalabari, SE DIYE represents an opportunity to celebrate their royal heritage, reaffirm their cultural identity and draw renewed attention to their historical contributions to the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
The participation of traditional rulers from other parts of the country would also give the ceremony a wider national dimension, highlighting the importance of relationships among traditional institutions in Nigeria’s diverse federation.
By reaching out to the Ooni of Ife, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Etsu Nupe, Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari is seeking to make the coronation an occasion not only to mark his royal ascension but also to strengthen ties with other historic kingdoms.
BEYOND CEREMONY: TURNING ROYAL GOODWILL INTO LASTING PARTNERSHIPS
The ultimate significance of the royal outreach will lie in its potential to produce lasting relationships and practical outcomes.
For Elem Kalabari and Ile-Ife, possible areas of cooperation include cultural and educational exchanges, heritage tourism, historical research, creative enterprise and commercial partnerships between their communities.
Joint initiatives could help preserve indigenous knowledge, promote the cultural assets of both regions and create opportunities for collaboration among researchers, artists, entrepreneurs and tourism stakeholders.
Such partnerships would also reinforce the role of traditional institutions as custodians of cultural heritage and participants in contemporary conversations about national development.
As the final coronation rites approach, Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari is extending the reach of The Source beyond the waterways of the Niger Delta, engaging other historic institutions in pursuit of friendship, cultural recognition and economic cooperation.
From Ile-Ife, revered in Yoruba tradition as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, to The Source, Elem Kalabari, the message of the outreach is that Nigeria’s traditional institutions can preserve their distinct identities while building relationships that contribute to a common national future.
The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on how effectively the goodwill generated by these royal encounters is translated into sustained cultural engagement, economic partnerships and mutually beneficial programmes.
ROYAL DELEGATION
Accompanying Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari on the visit were Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill, Paramount Head of the Queen Elebabene Da Ogo group of houses and satellite communities of the Kalabari Kingdom; Hajia Ramat Dokubo-Asari; Hajia Halima Dokubo-Asari; Mallam Mustapha Wakama; Flora Ezeoko; Al Humphrey Onyanabo, The Storyteller; Prince Melford Princewill; Engr. Bashir Lawal; and Alhaji Sanni Kazeem Adebayo.
SE DIYE, the final coronation rites of Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari, will hold on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at King Amachree Memorial Hall, Buguma, Rivers State.
