Asari Dokubo’s Biography, Lifestyle, Networth, Family and More
Asari Dokubo is a name that resonates with power, activism, and controversy. From his early days to his current status, Asari Dokubo’s biography is a compelling narrative of struggle, leadership, and influence.
Asari Dokubo Biography
Early Life
Born in 1964, Asari Dokubo grew up in a middle-class Christian family in Buguma, Nigeria. His father, a court judge, and his mother, a housewife, raised Dokubo alongside four siblings.
Known formerly as Melford Dokubo Goodhead Jnr, Asari is a Muslim with populist views and an anti-government stance that have made him a folk hero amongst certain members of the local population.
Education
Dokubo’s educational journey began in Port Harcourt, but his university years were marked by activism, leading to his departure from the University of Calabar and later from Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
Shift to Activism
Converting to Islam, Dokubo adopted the name Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and delved into regional politics. Despite unsuccessful runs for office, his leadership in the Ijaw Youth Council marked the beginning of his prominent role in the Niger Delta’s future.
Networth and Business Ventures
Dokubo’s net worth, while not publicly disclosed, is speculated to be in the millions, with revenues from various business ventures and the Yar’adua amnesty incentives.
Lifestyle
Dokubo’s lifestyle reflects his beliefs. As a Muslim with populist views, he has become a folk hero to some, advocating for the rights and self-determination of the Ijaw people.
Career
Political Involvement
Dokubo’s political career is intertwined with his activism. As the founder of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, he has been a significant figure in the region’s tumultuous political landscape.
Militancy and the Niger Delta
The creation of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force under Dokubo’s leadership was a turning point in the Niger Delta conflict, highlighting the region’s struggle for resource control.
As part of Yar’adua amnesty incentives to eliminate terrorist activities in the Niger Delta, the federal government awarded massive cash rewards to Asari and other terror leaders of the Niger Delta.
Asari received an annual cash payment of US$10 million a year from Abuja as part of the federal “pipeline security protection fee” to protect the Rivers State pipelines and creeks that the militants bombed, kidnapped and killed the workers and guards in the areas.
Asari Dokubo’s Arrest
In 2005, Asari Dokubo was arrested by the Obasanjo-led administration and charged for treason for failing to acknowledge the government as the legitimate government of Nigeria and due to the role of his militias in multiple threats to attack oil wells and pipelines by the NDPVF which caused companies operating in the area to withdraw most of their personnel from the Delta, resulting in a massive drop in oil production of 30,000 barrels per day and pushing up the price of petroleum worldwide significantly.
The then President Olusegun Obasanjo invited Asari Dokubo alongside other leaders of the Niger Delta forces for a dialogue which didn’t pull through.
He was however released in 2007, as part of the President Yar’adua’s amnesty initiative to broker peace in the region.
Where is Asari Dokubo from?
Dokubo hails from Buguma, a city that lies at the heart of the Niger Delta’s rich cultural and political tapestry.
Conclusion
Asari Dokubo’s biography is more than a personal account; it’s a reflection of the Niger Delta’s fight for autonomy and respect. His life’s work continues to inspire and provoke thought about the region’s future.
FAQs
Q: What motivated Asari Dokubo’s activism?
A: Asari Dokubo’s activism was fueled by a desire for resource control and self-determination for the Ijaw people.
Q: How has Asari Dokubo impacted the Niger Delta?
A: Dokubo has been a catalyst for change, bringing international attention to the Niger Delta’s plight and advocating for the rights of its people.