.....Dabaye Amakiri Charges Members to
Showcase Best of Kalabari Culture
The Amanyanabo of the Source, Da
Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Dabaye Amakiri I, has
inaugurated a 16-unit Coronation Central Planning Committee to coordinate
preparations for his forthcoming Se Diye and Coronation ceremonies, slated for
December 19, 2026.
The Amanyanabo inaugurated the
committee on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at his Ipokuma residence in Degema
Consulate, where he charged members to work collectively towards delivering a
coronation that would reflect the rich cultural heritage, traditions and
dignity of the Kalabari people.
The event brought together prominent
Kalabari personalities, traditional stakeholders, professionals and other
members of the committee, who have been assigned responsibilities covering
various aspects of the coronation programme.
Da Amakiri Tubo disclosed that the
committee was constituted to ensure effective planning and coordination of the
various activities associated with the coronation.
Chief Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill
is the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, while Chief Dr. David T.
Briggs and Chief Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji serve as Co-Chairmen.
Dr. Emi Iyalla is the Secretary,
with Alabo Daerefa-a Christopher Braide serving as Assistant Secretary.
A statement signed and made
available to news platforms by Alabo Daerefa-a Christopher
Braide Spokesman
& Chief Press Secretary to the Amanyanabo of the Source (Elem Kalabari,
Torusaramapiri).noted that the committee will coordinate activities across the
three principal locations of Elem Kalabari, Buguma and Obuama, with specialized
units assigned specific responsibilities for the successful execution of the
programme.
The units include Media and
Publicity; Culture and Coronation; Transport and Logistics; External Relations;
Contact and Mobilization; Venue and Catering; Protocol and Access Control;
Security; Accommodation; Finance; Souvenirs; Secretariat and Documentation;
Boat Regatta; Kalabari Dancing; Environment and Works; and Medical Services.
A Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
has also been constituted to complement the work of the Central Planning
Committee.
The Media and Publicity Unit is
chaired by Chief Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill, with Ib Dakoru as Vice
Chairman. Members are Mustapha Wakama, Humphrey Onyanabo, Alabo Daerefa-a Braide,
Isokariari Otonye Bob-Manuel, Alabo Wabiye Idoniboye-obu and Melford.
The Culture and Coronation Unit is
chaired by Chief Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, with Chief Kingsley Kio Young-Jack as
Secretary. Se Alabo Prefaa Otaji and Se Alabo Prince Dateme are members.
Chief Dr. David T. Briggs chairs the
Transport and Logistics Unit, with Dennis Braide as Secretary and Emmanuel
Horsfall and Opunabo Princewill as members.
The External Relations Unit is
chaired by Pope Tarsoo Linus, with Alhaji Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sade (Sadauki
Bauchi), Gary and Nasiru Danu as members.
Alhaji Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sade
(Sadauki Bauchi) chairs the Contact and Mobilization Unit, with Pope Tarsoo
Linus as Vice Chairman. Other members are Humphrey Onyanabo, Flora, Alabo
Onimim Batubo, Hassan Mohammed Ndanusa, Yerima Shettima, Igo Aguma and Henry
Wordu.
The Venue and Catering Unit has Boma
assigned to Elem Kalabari and Buguma, Flora to Obuama and Degema, alongside
Alabo Lawrence Danagogo.
Dr. Dawari George chairs the
Protocol and Access Control Unit, with Barrister Joseph Charles Brown, Se Alabo
Omonaa Amachree, Se Alabo Amakiri Flag Amachree, Dennis Braide and Orusoso Don
Pedro as members.
The Security Unit is chaired by
Alabo CP. (Rtd.) Dr. Selem Vincent Amachree, Esq., with Obiobraa
George ( Holy
Mallam), HRH Otonye Williams (Ododo), Alabo Ibim Miame, Tomitamunoa Erekosima
(Obio Akpor), Banimibo-ofori Harry, and the 3 Kalabari LGA Chairmen as members.
Dr. Emi Iyalla chairs Accommodation,
with Hajiya Halima and Alhaji Orlu Onyekachi (Haram De Sweet) as members.
The Finance Unit is chaired by
Stanley West, with Dr. Emi Iyalla as member, while Boma chairs the Souvenirs
Unit, assisted by Crowther and Flora.
Prince Dateme chairs the Secretariat
and Documentation Unit, with Humphrey Onyanabo as Co-Chairman and Isokariari
Otonye Bob-Manuel as Secretary.
Chief Lucky Brown chairs the Boat
Regatta Unit. Members are Alabo Daogigo Amachree, Alabo Ikien Okorosa, Dr.
Adikibia Boyle, Opunabo Princewill, Sokeipriye Numbere, Endurance Henry and
Alabo Adikiba Zeinas.
Sokeipriye Numbere chairs the
Kalabari Dancing Unit, with Ibiso George as member.
The Environment and Works Unit is
chaired by Songo Festus LongJohn (Adekunle), with Adokiye Princewill, Obelema
Isokariari and Biokpomabo Princewill as members.
Dr. Opubo Idoniboye-obu chairs the
Medical Services Unit, with Alabo Dr. Ebi Robinson as member.
The Local Organizing Committee is
headed by Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich (Egberipapa) as Chairman, with Alabo JackLloyd
Thomas as Vice Chairman and Alabo Wabiye Idoniboye-obu as Secretary.
Giving the terms of reference for
the 16-Unit Committee, the Central Planning Committee has established clear
guidelines to ensure effective coordination, accountability and collaboration
among the various units.
Each unit, as constituted, comprises
a Chairman, Secretary and members, with the Chairman responsible for the
effective performance of the unit.
All units are to report directly to
the Central Planning Committee, which in turn reports to the Palace of the
Amanyanabo of the Source, Dabaye Amakiri I.
Each unit is expected to submit its
detailed work plan and budget within seven days of its appointment for review
and approval by the Central Planning Committee.
No unit is to incur expenditure or
make any financial commitment without prior written approval of the Central
Planning Committee.
The units are also required to
submit weekly progress reports to the Central Planning Committee.
The committee further directed that
all units should collaborate where their responsibilities overlap to ensure
harmony and avoid duplication, particularly in activities involving Elem
Kalabari, Buguma and Obuama.