The traditional ruler of Elem Kalabari Community in Degema local government area of Rivers State, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo has pledged to rebuild the community, which was abandoned in 1885.
Recall that the Rivers State government had on December 31, 2024 presented a staff of office to Dokubo and recognised him as the traditional ruler of the community, where all communities in Kalabari Kingdom migrated from.
Speaking during an event to mark his 61st birthday at the community, Dokubo, said the once abandoned community will now witness people-oriented development.
“What we are going to do, nobody has imagined it. Even if I say it now, you won’t believe it. We have started; now you can work freely here after 140 years of abandonment, the kingdom has come alive.
“Elem Kalabari has come alive. Elem Kalabari is an integral part of Kalabari nation. There cannot be a king in Elem Kalabari, I am the head of Elem Kalabari under the King of Kalabari.
“Elem Kalabari was at a global stage. It was know all over the world, from 1444 to 1885 when this place was formally evacuated. For me, our movement was ordained by God and something wonderful. We are going to put Elem Kalabari back to the global map,” Dokubo said.
Also speaking during the event, chairman of the organising committee for the project, Hon. Sobomabo Jackrich, said they were using the occasion to also celebrate five months of their return to the community.
Jackrich said, “Five months ago, we arrived on this land. We are not only celebrating our king’s birthday today, we also recognising the fact that five months ago, this place was a forest, there were no people. Maybe, if you find people, there were bunkerers.
“But, today, the place has been transformed. This is not a mere say, this is reality. God has been faithful. For the past five months, we have had no hitches, no challenges, projects had been going on.”
