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King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja has been crowned the sixth Amanyanabo of the Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State.
The coronation ceremony was held on Saturday at King Jaja Square in Opobo Town, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
The event attracted prominent Nigerians, traditional rulers and government officials from across the country.
King Charles was elected monarch in December 2025 following the death of the previous occupant of the throne, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.
The Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja.
Following his coronation, the new monarch adopted the title Jeki VI, becoming the sixth Amanyanabo since the legendary King Jaja founded the Opobo Kingdom in 1870.
After the ceremony, King Charles thanked the people of Opobo and the guests who attended, pledging to protect their freedom and rights.
He also promised to uphold the throne’s dignity and preserve the kingdom’s heritage.
The previous monarch, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, who also served as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, died in 2025 and was buried on April 11, 2026.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated King Charles and the people of Opobo, while recalling the historical significance of King Jaja of Opobo.
Jonathan described the founder of the kingdom as a prominent figure whose struggle for freedom remains widely acknowledged.
He urged the new monarch to use his reign to promote peace, development and unity while preserving Opobo’s place and heritage.
The Rivers State Government was represented at the ceremony by Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, who described the coronation as a celebration of Rivers State’s identity and culture.
Odu also stressed the importance of traditional rulers in preserving the culture and heritage of their communities, while wishing the new monarch a reign marked by wisdom, peace and progress.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, also highlighted the historic relationship between Onitsha and Opobo.
Achebe described King Jaja as an honest leader who worked for his people’s freedom and prosperity, while praying for peace and progress in Opobo Kingdom.
Other traditional rulers who attended the ceremony included the Obong of Calabar, the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple, and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
Also present were 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 formally installed King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja as the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, continuing a royal tradition that dates back to King Jaja’s founding of the kingdom in 1870.
