In a bid to consolidate on its unity and ancient history, the Dappa-ye-Amakiriama has and unveiled a portrait of their great grandfather, late King Dappa-ye-Amakiri, and commissioned its Opuwari, Community Hall, in Kalaibiama Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Chairman of the family, Wariopusenibo Tamuno-Opubo Amakiriama said the ceremony, which took place between Saturday and Sunday, December 30 and 31, 2023, was to mark the fulfillment of a covenant between Tolofari, the Kalaibiama deity, and the then Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, now demised King Dappa-ye-Amakiri.

Speaking through the Secretary of the family, Warisenibo Praise Amakiri-Ama, the Chairman said the said covenant was entered into after a fierce spiritual encounter, which was akin to a battle of supremacy, between the duo.

A special Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Kalaibiama in Bonny LGA, with several members of the family in attendance with their families.

Amakiriama explained that the edifice will now become public venue for immortalizing the memory of their great grandfather, King Dappa-ye-Amakiri in Kalaibiama Community, adding that aside exuding the cultural influence of the community, it would also attract people from neighboring communities.

“The occasion today will not be complete without acknowledging the fatherly role of the custodians of our tradition and culture. Without His Majesty, the King, the Se-Alapu, including the historians of his great kingdom, we wouldn’t have seen the face our progenitor, King Dappa-ye-Amakiri, the ninth King of Bonny Kingdom.

“We say thank you to you all including those who made sacrifices to put all historical facts and artifacts together in order for this generation to have a glimpse of historical items.”

“We extend our gratitude to the entire people of Kalaibiama and even beyond who sincerely acknowledge our ancestry despite all odds. May the good Lord bless you all abundantly.”

“Our great grandfather, King Dappa-ye-Amakiri was a great achiever as history has revealed, and his descendants are proud of him, as well as Bonny Kingdom.”

“We are grateful that you are here today to see for yourself that the great King has descendants through his first daughter, Princess Amakiriama, which some authorities refer to as “Ibani” who he used as an established house leader to reinforce his kingly authority over the length and breadth of the western axis of Bonny Kingdom which was challenged by the ancient scramblers of settling sites.”

Also speaking, Assistant Secretary of the family, Warisenibo Solomon Anari stated that the commissioning and unveiling is a good one for Kalaibiama Community as a good starting point to assert its royal lineage in Bonny Kingdom.

“Just few hours ago, the Dappa-ye-Amakiriama in Kalaibiama Community had a very special ceremony that is crystal; the opening or commissioning of our opuwari as you can see.”

“As well as the unveiling of the portrait of our progenitor, our great grandfather. the King Opu-Dappa-Ye-Amakiri, the ninth King of Bonny Kingdom.”

“As history has it, his first daughter, who was the first leader of this house, Princess Dappa-Ye-Amakiriama. Some may be asking why do we still carry on such programmes or activities? There is a saying that goes “if you do not talk about yourself, say things about yourself, no one can say it better for you.”

“We are saying that we are a fully recognized house in Bonny Kingdom before 1869. We are not dragging any chieftaincy with anybody but we are a house in Kalaibiama in Bonny Kingdom.”

He stated that the commissioning and unveiling of the Opuwari is aimed at uniting the past tradition with the present and availing the public a new and inclusive vision of the status of the family, which distinctiveness, according to him, symbolizes the vitality and a shared sense of community.

He added that the uniqueness of the family transforms into a spiraling staircase, linking the community and past tradition, noting that the unveiling serves as a valuable venue for various events, and development in the community.