Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, the Amanyanabo of The Source, Elem Kalabari, has visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the Kalabari Kingdom and Ile-Ife.
The visit comes ahead of SE DIYE, the final coronation rites of the Kalabari monarch, scheduled for December 19, 2026, in Buguma, Rivers State. During the meeting, Dokubo-Asari personally invited the Ooni and his council to attend the ceremony.
The engagement forms part of a wider effort by the monarch to build relationships with traditional institutions across Nigeria. His recent royal visits have also included the Sultan of Sokoto and the Etsu Nupe.
Ooni of Ife Welcomes Kalabari Monarch
Dokubo-Asari said the cordial relationship between both traditional institutions informed his decision to visit Ile-Ife and extend the invitation.
“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,” he said.
The Ooni welcomed the Kalabari monarch to his palace in Ile-Ife, describing him as fearless. He also praised Dokubo-Asari’s leadership since he became Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari.
Oba Ogunwusi expressed appreciation for the monarch’s goodwill and his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also welcomed Dokubo-Asari to Ile-Ife, which he described as his home.
During the visit, the Ooni presented the Kalabari monarch with a bronze painting. He explained that the artwork symbolised the strength of the people.
Kalabari Monarch Seeks Stronger Cultural and Economic Ties
The visit brings together two traditional institutions with distinct histories and strong connections to ancestral identity.
Ile-Ife holds a central place in Yoruba history and is widely regarded as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation. Elem Kalabari, meanwhile, has a rich heritage shaped by maritime trade, traditional governance, diplomacy and the development of the canoe-house system.
Through the engagement, Dokubo-Asari seeks to build a relationship that extends beyond royal ceremonies and creates opportunities for practical cooperation.
Potential areas of collaboration include cultural festivals, historical research, educational exchanges, heritage tourism, creative industries and commercial partnerships between the Niger Delta and southwestern Nigeria.
The initiative also highlights the role traditional institutions can play in preserving indigenous heritage while encouraging cooperation among communities.
Sultan of Sokoto, Etsu Nupe Also Receive Royal Visits
The visit to the Ooni followed earlier engagements with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Etsu Nupe.
During his visit to Sokoto, Dokubo-Asari invited the Sultan to attend the December 19 coronation ceremony in Buguma. Their meeting also reflected their personal relationship, including their shared experiences performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
His visit to the Etsu Nupe further extended the outreach to another historic traditional institution.
The engagements form part of Dokubo-Asari’s effort to strengthen relationships across Nigeria’s cultural and religious communities as SE DIYE approaches.
By inviting monarchs from different parts of the country, he is seeking to give the forthcoming ceremony a broader national dimension while maintaining the distinct identity of the Kalabari Kingdom.
SE DIYE: Buguma Prepares for December Coronation
SE DIYE, the final coronation and ascension ceremony of the Amanyanabo of The Source, is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 2026, at King Amachree Memorial Hall in Buguma, Rivers State.
The event is expected to attract traditional rulers, political leaders, public officials, cultural figures and other distinguished guests.
For Elem Kalabari, the ceremony will provide an opportunity to celebrate its royal heritage and draw attention to its historical contributions to the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
The expected participation of traditional rulers from other regions could also strengthen ties between their respective institutions and communities.
Royal Outreach Targets Lasting Partnerships
Beyond the ceremony, the success of the royal outreach will depend on whether the goodwill translates into sustained cooperation.
Elem Kalabari and Ile-Ife could explore joint cultural programmes, historical documentation, academic exchanges, tourism initiatives and business opportunities. Such efforts could also help younger generations understand and appreciate their communities’ histories.
Dokubo-Asari’s visit to the Ooni, following his engagements with the Sultan of Sokoto and the Etsu Nupe, places SE DIYE within a wider effort to foster inter-kingdom relationships.
The royal delegation accompanying the Kalabari monarch included 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; Alhaji Humphrey Onyanabo, known as The Storyteller; Prince Melford Princewill; Engineer Bashir Lawal; and Alhaji Sanni Kazeem Adebayo.
As preparations continue, the invitation to the Ooni represents another step in Dokubo-Asari’s effort to connect Elem Kalabari with Nigeria’s wider network of traditional institutions.
SE DIYE will hold on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at King Amachree Memorial Hall, Buguma, Rivers State.