King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja has been formally crowned as the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State, taking the traditional title of Jeki VI.
The colourful coronation ceremony was held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at King Jaja Square in Opobo Town, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, with former President Goodluck Jonathan, prominent traditional rulers, government officials and other dignitaries in attendance.
King Charles was anointed and crowned by the Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, formally marking the beginning of his reign as the sixth monarch of the kingdom since the legendary King Jaja established Opobo in 1870.
The new monarch succeeds the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, the previous Amanyanabo of Opobo, who died in 2025 and was buried on April 11, 2026. King Charles had been elected as the new monarch in December 2025 ahead of the coronation.
Speaking after his coronation, King Charles thanked the dignitaries and members of the Opobo community who attended the historic ceremony. He pledged to protect the freedom and rights of his people and uphold the dignity of the traditional institution.
“I will never bring dishonour to the throne that Chief Jaja and the founders of Opobo built with courage. The exodus of 1870 was a journey to freedom. Our journey in 2026 is a journey to development, unity and global relevance,” he declared.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated the new monarch and the people of Opobo Kingdom, recalling the historical significance of King Jaja and his association with the struggle for freedom. He urged the new king to use his reign to promote peace, unity and development in the kingdom.
The Rivers State Government was represented at the ceremony by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, who described the coronation as a celebration of the identity and cultural heritage of Rivers State. She also emphasised the role of traditional rulers in preserving the history and traditions of their communities.
The ceremony also brought together traditional rulers from different parts of Nigeria. Among those present were the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Obong of Calabar; the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple; Eze Eberechi Oji; Eze Aro; Eze Iweka III of Obosi; King Buribaye Dakolo of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State; and Eze Eberiuogo of Omuma.
The coronation marks a new chapter for Opobo Kingdom, whose history is closely associated with its founder, King Jaja of Opobo, and the kingdom’s long-standing role in the cultural and commercial history of the Niger Delta.
With his installation as Jeki VI, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja now assumes the traditional leadership of Opobo Kingdom and begins a new reign focused, in his own words, on development, unity and global relevance.
