Alabo (Dr.) Reuben Mietamuno Jaja Is New Head Of Saturday Jaja War Canoe House

…As Historic Installation Holds In Opobo, Friday

Certain distinguished personalities eminently deserve to be inducted into the exalted and exclusive hall of fame for outstanding achievers. This is because, judging by their works, contributions and commitment to nation building, they have etched their name in gold. 

One of such personalities is Alabo (Dr.) Reuben Mietamuno Saturday Jaja, the Chairman/CEO of BFIG Group Corporation, the legal owners of the Aluminum Smelting Company of Nigeria (ASCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

A self-made man who has been a blessing to his generation, Dr. Jaja has used his privileged status to empower several families.  Being a product of a humble family background, he has been quick to extend a helping hand to the less privilege members of the society.

Aside contributing generously to many projects initiated by the King Jaja Executive Authority and the King Jaja Dynasty, it is also on record that no less than fifty-one intellectually-gifted students of Ijaw extraction were granted scholarship to study at the Federal University, Otueke, Bayelsa State courtesy of Alabo (Dr.) Reuben Jaja way back in 2012 when he was Chairman of the Ijaw Foundation in the United States.

“The reason why I did that was because I knew that the quality of education in the federal universities is far more than that of the state universities because of the resources needed to maintain universities.

“With that university being cited in the heartland of Ijaw nation, far remote area, we felt that when a university starts, even though it is in our location, you may find that all the new students may come from other parts and our children may be cheated out of it because of money to go to school and all that. 

“So, we felt that anyone of them who qualifies to that university, money should not be his or her problem.  So, I made available, 51 scholarship programmes for anyone who got admission into that university”, he disclosed.

This explains the excitement in Opobo Town where all roads will lead to, come Friday, February 5, 2021, for the historic installation of the 66-year-old industrialist who will be installed as the Alabo (Head) of Chief (Prince) Saturday Jaja War Canoe House of Opobo.

Although, headship of War Canoe House in the ancient Opobo custom and tradition, is noncompetitive as it is premised either by lineage, hereditary or election, Dr. Jaja in a brief chat with National Network on Monday, revealed that the quantum and depth of one’s contribution to advancement of the House would, indeed, be an added advantage. 

Giving a brief insight into the history, the Alabo said: “In Opobo, emergence as Alabo of War Canoe House is either by hereditary, lineage or by election. Even when it is done by election, it is done within the context of the lineage.  It is not like something that is wide open that anybody can come from anywhere and compete.  It is limited to the lineage rights that you must possess being a member of the family.

“In our own case, it is a lineage in the sense that Chief (Prince) Saturday Jaja, the first son of King Jaja of Opobo and the House, (Chief Prince Saturday Jaja War Canoe House) was established by King Jaja himself for his first son in association with five principal elders who are close to him. 

“My own great-grand father, Adamie Tamuno was a member of that group and the oldest. He also happened to be the Deputy Alabo to the son.  Others were elders, like Ada Bibi, Adafaribo, Adabiebo and Ada Onyenemeribeya who was a slave of King Jaja of Opobo.

“These five close elders to King Jaja were the ones that were basically used for the formation of the House, which is the Chief Prince Saturday War Canoe House.  So, I am from the lineage Ada Mietamuno who succeeded Chief Prince Saturday War Canoe House when he died”.

Dr. Jaja possessed the capacity to lead the Chief (Prince) Saturday Jaja War Canoe House, as, according to him, the House believed he had met all the requirements as their Chief because of his education, life experience and association with many groups.

By way of education, he holds a PhD and a Post-Doctoral from University of California, Los Angeles in the United States.  He is also a graduate of Harvard University. 

In terms of employment, he worked briefly with the Rivers State Government before jetting off to the United States.

He was the Executive Officer of the Rivers State Schools Management Board under the Ministry of Education.  When he arrived the United States, he worked with the US Federal Reserve Bank as well as the State of California Banking Commission where he spent over fifteen years until his retirement and subsequent opening of his own company.

Alabo (Dr.) Reuben Jaja is happily married with five children, two grand-kids and one more grand-kid on the way. 

“It’s a great family that God has blessed me with and I’m looking forward to them growing up and doing great for humanity”., he enthused.