On Saturday, 30th August, 2025, the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa was lit with regal splendor and intellectual energy as eminent Nigerians gathered to celebrate a towering figure in Ijaw land – His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom.
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The event marked a triad of milestones for the revered monarch: his 60th birthday, 25 years of marriage, and the public unveiling of his latest literary works — “Pirates of the Gulf” and “The Kingfisher: An Intimate Portrait of Environmental Injustices in the Niger Delta.”
In attendance were notable personalities including the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri; Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D; and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, among other dignitaries, royal fathers, academics, and youth leaders.
A Tribute to a Royal Intellectual
Governor Douye Diri, in his Facebook update, lauded King Dakolo’s life of purpose, patriotism, and principled leadership. Describing him as “a forthright Ijaw patriot, a soldier, environmental rights activist and a prolific writer,” the Governor praised the monarch’s unrelenting commitment to peace, cultural preservation, and environmental justice in the Niger Delta.
“We honour your contributions to the promotion of peace and the preservation of our rich culture. I wish to note your dedication to the development and progress of Bayelsa State,” he said.
Intellectual Militancy for Environmental Justice
Highlighting the power of King Dakolo’s pen, the Governor referred to his writings as a form of “intellectual militancy” aimed at exposing the dire environmental and developmental challenges of the oil-rich but ecologically ravaged Niger Delta.
In a poignant call to action, the Governor urged Niger Delta youths to abandon destructive practices such as illegal oil bunkering, which further endanger the environment and livelihoods.
Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Under Scrutiny
Governor Diri also used the platform to renew calls for a more equitable distribution of oil wealth. He advocated for an urgent amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), seeking to raise the allocation to Host Communities Development Trusts from the current 3% to 10%.
“The local and state governments must also be included in the administration of the PIA to ensure transparency and real impact,” he emphasized.
A Call for Peace, Unity, and Shared Progress
Amid the celebratory mood, the Governor urged Bayelsans to foster love and unity across communities, stressing that peace remains the bedrock for sustainable development.
“Once again, I say hearty congratulations to our digital king, HRM Bubaraye Dakolo!”
Royal Reflections
King Dakolo’s newly launched books delve deeply into the social and environmental dynamics of the Niger Delta — one of Nigeria’s most resource-endowed yet paradoxically impoverished regions. The monarch, a former military officer and one of the leading voices on environmental advocacy in the South-South, uses his platform to educate, agitate, and inspire.
As Bayelsa marked this royal milestone, it also reignited critical conversations about justice, resource control, and the power of intellectual leadership in shaping a sustainable future for the Niger Delta.
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