KING DOKUBO-ASARI GIVES OUT DAUGHTER IN MARRIAGE AT A COLOURFUL CEREMONY IN DEGEMA
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo
The ancient town of Degema came alive on Sunday, August 17, 2025, as the Amanyanabo of the Source, Elem Kalabari, Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Dabaye Amakiri I, gave out his daughter, Miss Rukayat Becky Omoro, in marriage to Abdurrazaq Tamunodiepriye Cline.
The ceremony, which blended faith, tradition, and cultural grandeur, drew dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, and well-wishers from across the Niger Delta and beyond.
In an atmosphere steeped in ancestral authority yet warmed by a father’s tenderness, King Dokubo-Asari offered heartfelt counsel to his daughter. Speaking with the commanding voice of a monarch and the care of a father, he charged her to embrace humility, respect, and patience as the cornerstones of her new life.
“My daughter, today you begin a new life. Hear me well: you have nothing to prove in marriage. Be totally submissive to him. Your titles, your degrees, your qualifications—all these mean nothing here. What matters is that you carry respect, patience, and humility into your new home. These are the jewels that will sustain your union,” he said.
He reminded her that marriage, as the first institution ordained by God, is the foundation of society. He urged her to honor her husband as head of the home, to become a bridge between both families, and to be a pillar of peace within her household.
“Respect his family. Encourage his people to draw near and benefit from him. Do not close the door against them. Be his joy, his comfort, and his strength. When trials arise—and they surely will—face them together as one body, without calling a stranger to settle your disputes,” he counseled.
Turning to faith, the monarch emphasized the place of spirituality in sustaining the union. He urged his daughter to anchor her virtues in the teachings of the Qur’an.
“If you will succeed, you must hold fast to the Qur’an. Let its guidance be your compass, its wisdom your shield. In faith, you will find peace; in faith, your marriage will endure,” he declared.
Concluding with a solemn pledge, King Dokubo-Asari assured his daughter of his support and blessing:
“As your father, I stand behind you. As your king, I cover you. As a servant of God, I pray for you. May your home never lack joy, and may the generations after you rise to call you blessed.”
The two-day ceremony was a rich tapestry of tradition and religion. It began with the vibrant Kalabari Igwa traditional rites, where drumming, dancing, and regal displays of culture filled the air. It was followed by the solemnity of the Islamic Nikkah, underscoring the couple’s faith and devotion.
Guests described the event as a celebration of love, heritage, and divine grace. Beyond the union of two individuals, the marriage was seen as a symbolic weaving together of culture, family, and faith—an enduring testament to the values of the Kalabari kingdom.
Degema, with its royal villa radiating color and festivity, will long remember the day when King Dokubo-Asari’s daughter was ushered into matrimony under the blessings of family, tradition, and God.
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo ( The Storyteller)
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Email: nigeria360online@gmail.com
