Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State —
The leadership style of King Edward, the Amanayanbo of the Grand Bonny Kingdom, is drawing widespread admiration as the ancient kingdom witnesses a renewed wave of cultural pride, youth engagement, and economic revitalisation.
This renewed confidence was on full display today during the grand opening of a luxury five-star hotel in Bonny, an event marked by a colourful royal procession led by the King himself. Videos from the event show the Amanayanbo joyfully dancing as he made his entry — a moment many observers described as symbolic of a youthful, approachable, and people-centred monarch.
Speaking on the significance of the moment, Christopher Allison a member of Bonny Atlas , described King Edward as “a breath of fresh air”, noting that the monarch has consistently championed initiatives that place Bonny at the centre of tourism and youth development in Rivers State.
“Bonny has always been a tourism hub, but this year we decided to take it up a notch,” Allison B. said, referencing a renewed tourism drive aligned with the Blue Economy initiative spearheaded by the Local Government Chairman, alongside projects initiated by the Amanayanbo himself.
Among the notable developments unveiled in recent months are the opening of the Bonny Consulate Cinema, the commencement of Bonny FM radio station managed by Grafton, and the successful hosting of the Amanayanbo Cup — a football tournament that was aired on SuperSport and attracted international football scouts over a two-week period.
According to Christopher Allison, the tournament has already yielded tangible results, with about ten young Bonny athletes expected to travel to Greece next year to begin professional football careers.
“It’s immense,” he said. “A lot of young people are being captured by these initiatives. Real opportunities are opening up for the youths of Bonny.”
The momentum is expected to continue with the Bonny Kingdom Boat Regatta scheduled for the 26th, an event described as the crowning highlight of the Blue Economy tourism rollout. Organisers say the regatta will become an annual fixture, further strengthening Bonny’s visibility on national and international platforms.
Observers note that these developments reflect a broader shift in leadership philosophy — one that blends tradition with modern creativity, cultural heritage with economic ambition.
“For years, Bonny was in the shadows,” Christopher Allison added. “Now we are taking our destiny into our own hands, projecting our talents beyond our shores and making our own fortunes.”
As Bonny Kingdom continues to attract investments, media attention, and global exposure, many residents see the Amanayanbo’s hands-on, youth-focused approach as a defining factor in the kingdom’s ongoing transformation — one that positions Bonny not only as a custodian of history, but as a rising centre of culture, tourism, and opportunity.
