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By Paul Williams
It was a celebration of life well-spent last Saturday December 6, 2025 in the ancient city of Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State as First Lady, Lady Valerie Fubara, and who-is-who in the state and the Kalabari ethnic nation trooped out to bid farewell to renown lawyer, estate surveyor and Kalabari chief, Alabo Dr. Donald Blessing Diboye-Suku.
He was aged 85 years.
Late Alabo Diboye-Suku was member of both the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and the Rating and Valuation Association (ARVA) of Great Britain; Acting Chief Lands Officer, Rivers State Ministry of Lands; second Chairman of the Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and member, Kalabari Council of Chiefs among other positions.
In his autobiography, titled ‘My Life and Times,’ published in 2025, he proclaimed, “I feel very fulfilled and joyful that I have filled the place in the world that only me can fill and made the contribution that only me can make to the glory of God.”
According to his biography presented during the funeral service, Late Alabo Dr. Donald Diboye-Suku began his top-flight working career at the Rivers State Ministry of Lands in 1974, rising to Acting Chief Lands Officer. He also became an Associate Member of both the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and the Rating and Valuation Association (ARVA) of Great Britain in 1977.
“He was later elected a Fellow of NIESV and ARVA in 1987. He was the second Chairman of the Rivers State Branch of NIESV (1981-1991) during which he implemented reforms that strengthened the branch’s standing. In addition, he effectively represented the state branch at all council meetings at his own expense and ensured seminars, workshops, and lectures were consistently conducted to educate members of the profession.
“He made significant contributions to the advancement of the estate management profession locally and internationally by delivering numerous professional papers and talks at seminars, workshops, and meetings of the profession.
“In August l984, he founded Don Diboye-Suku & Co, a firm of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, serving as Principal Consultant. Furthermore, he mentored several Estate Surveyors who turned out to be highflyers in the profession – some rising to become Permanent Secretaries and Directors at the Rivers State Ministry of Lands.
“Beyond consultancy, he ventured into property development, owning multiple real estate assets across the country, including Oderi Hotels and Suites at Usokun-Degema, commissioned in December 1988 and Paradise Resort at Eli-Israel,” his biography read.
Late Diboye-Suku loved and respected the culture of the Kalabari people. In 1987, he created his own chieftaincy stool and was installed as a Kalabari Chief by the late Amanyanabo of Kalabari, His Majesty, King Obaye Abbiye-Suku Amachree X CON.
He served in many committees in Buguma Council of Chiefs and Se-Kobiri levels to bring peace and development to the Kalabari Land. Remarkably, he was the legal adviser to the Kalabari and Buguma Council of Chiefs from 1990 till his demise. Through this platform, he played significant roles in mediating the 1992-1993 Kalabari-Nernbe conflict as well as the 2O19 Horsfall Chieftaincy dispute.
He was also the chairman and caretaker chief of Chief Ombu Beals Compound, Buguma for many years. His leadership in the compound brought peace and progress both within the compound and in its relations with neighboring communities. In recognition of his philanthropic and traditional service, he was patron to numerous social clubs. He was a member and served as ex-officio, Legal Adviser, and later President (2013-2024) of Kalabari’s apex socio-cultural club – Bainbo Taria Awo (BTA) Society, Buguma.
He also served for over thirty years as founding President of the Usokun League of Gentlemen, Usokun-Degema. As a passionate sportsman, Late Alabo Dr. Diboye-Suku was a lawn tennis player and member of the Port Harcourt Club from 1974, serving on its Management Committee in 1981. He was appointed Chairman of the Rivers State Cycling Association in 1976 by the Rivers State Government.
His daughter, Justice Ibietela I.M. Obu, described him as her alter ego and counselor, “a man of extraordinary intellect, character, grace and an embodiment of wisdom.”
In her tribute, Justice Obu further described her late father as “a pillar of strength and support to me: a true friend indeed that cared so much about my growth and wellbeing.”
She said said her father instilled in her the virtues of honesty. hard-work, service responsibility, fairness and kindness.
“You taught me that it was better to speak the truth at all cost. You lived out all the values you stood for. In you, I saw selflessness, modesty, hardwork. discipine, determination and excellence. You were a man of extraordinary intellect, character, grace and an embodiment of wisdom,” she said.
