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VENO tv: DA-AMAKIRI TUBO: THE JOURNEY OF AMANYANABO MUJAHID ABUBAKR DOKUBO-ASARI From the Niger Delta struggle to the throne of Elem Kalabari: A life shaped by conviction, sacrifice and service
Date: 20-10-26

By Al Humphrey Onyanabo

Some men are remembered for the battles they fought. Others are celebrated for the positions they occupied. Yet a few have travelled through so many chapters of public life that no single title, controversy or newspaper headline can adequately tell their story.
Da-Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Amanyanabo of the Source, Elem Kalabari, Torusarama Piri, belongs to this category.
His journey spans royal ancestry, religious transformation, political activism, imprisonment, entrepreneurship, community security and traditional leadership.
From his involvement in the Niger Delta struggle to his emergence as a traditional ruler, Dokubo-Asari has remained a prominent and sometimes polarising figure in Nigeria's public affairs.
From Kala Amakiri to Mujahid Dokubo-Asari
Born Melford Dokubo Goodhead Jr. into the royal Amakiri lineage of Kalabari, he was raised under the influence of his paternal grandmother, Princess Nene Okukuba Wilkinson Goodhead, following the early loss of his mother.
His grandmother called him Kala Amakiri, meaning Little Amakiri, a name connecting him to the historical legacy of King Amakiri I.
Educated in Buguma, Port Harcourt and at tertiary institutions in Cross River and Rivers states, he developed an interest in questions of identity, religion and social justice.
His eventual conversion to Islam and adoption of the name Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari became a defining chapter in his personal journey.

The Niger Delta struggle
Dokubo-Asari rose to national prominence during the agitation for resource control, environmental justice and greater economic opportunities for oil-producing communities.
His involvement in the Ijaw Youth Council and subsequent leadership of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force placed him at the centre of one of Nigeria's most contentious regional struggles.

Supporters regarded him as a defender of marginalised communities. Critics questioned his methods, particularly the role of armed militancy in pursuing political demands.
His arrest, treason proceedings and detention further intensified his national profile. He was released in 2007.
From agitation to the traditional throne
Years after his confrontation with the Nigerian state, Dokubo-Asari embarked on a different journey: the assumption of traditional responsibilities within Kalabari society.

According to the biographical account supplied for this feature, his progression through the Kalabari chieftaincy institution culminated in his selection as Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari in May 2024.
The account states that the Rivers State Government recognised his position in October 2024 and that Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented him with a staff of office on December 31, 2024.
His emergence represented a transition from political agitation to traditional stewardship, with responsibilities for cultural preservation, community unity and development.

Oil wealth and neglected communities
The Elem Kalabari area occupies an important position within the Niger Delta's oil and gas economy.
Yet the broader region continues to confront environmental concerns, infrastructure deficiencies and limited economic opportunities.
For communities hosting valuable petroleum resources, the central question remains whether the wealth extracted from their environment translates into improved living conditions.

This challenge places traditional rulers such as Dokubo-Asari at the intersection of community expectations, environmental responsibility and national economic interests.
Entrepreneurship and community security
Beyond politics and traditional leadership, Dokubo-Asari has developed business interests reportedly covering education, construction, oil and gas, logistics and security.

The original account describes the involvement of Royal Fouche Services Limited in security activities across parts of Nigeria, particularly along the Kalabari–Emohua road and surrounding waterways.
It also attributes several rescue and security operations to the company.
These claims, including the reported expenditure of approximately ?250 million monthly, require independent documentary confirmation before being presented as established facts.
Nevertheless, the wider issue is clear: security remains essential to commerce, education, transportation and sustainable development in riverine communities.

Pipeline surveillance and public accountability

Recent public exchanges concerning pipeline surveillance contracts have again brought Dokubo-Asari into controversy.
His reported position is that companies and individuals involved in pipeline protection should face consistent scrutiny rather than selective criticism.
Questions surrounding Tantita Security Services, other contractors, contract values and the distribution of opportunities in the Niger Delta deserve transparent examination.
Public accountability must apply equally to all contractors, regardless of ethnicity, political connections or public standing.
The appropriate measure is documentary evidence: contract awards, payment records, service obligations and performance.

Beyond the headlines
Dokubo-Asari's story cannot be reduced to a viral video, political disagreement or single controversial episode.
His life encompasses different identities: activist, religious convert, former detainee, entrepreneur, security-sector participant and traditional ruler.
Each chapter deserves examination, including both his contributions and the controversies associated with his public activities.
Ultimately, the success of his traditional leadership will be judged by the institutions he strengthens, the heritage he preserves and the improvements experienced by the people under his stewardship.
Beyond the controversy lies a complex public life. Beyond the crown lies the responsibility of service. And beyond yesterday's struggles lies the question of what can be achieved for tomorrow's generation.

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