Abonnema

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Abonnema, originally known as Nyemoni (which means "covet your own" in the Kalabari dialect of the Ijaw language), is a large town in the Kalabari Kingdom that was founded in 1882. Its territory was discovered by an expedition of eleven war canoe chieftaincy houses from the Kalabari city-state (Elem Kalabari).

Contents

History

Abonnemma was founded in 1882 by eleven Chiefs, namely:

While the Briggs Group of Houses sailed as a group and landed together, the other Chiefs sailed differently and berthed at different times; none accompanied the other. Chief Bobmanuel was chosen as the Chairman and Amadabo based on the age of the stool he arrived with, and over time, the title of the stool changed to Amanyanabo following the recognition of the stool as a first-class stool by the Rivers State Government. In the absence of Chief Bobmanuel, incumbent of the Owukori Stool, the next stool in the hierarchy functions and operates as the Amanyanabo based on the time-honoured recognition of primus inter pares.

Chief Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel, Owukori IX is the current Ananyanabo of Abonnema. <Abonnema Centenary brochure - 1982 >

Abonnema today

Abonnema grew to become a flourishing major Nigerian seaport during the colonial era. It was host to many European companies. One such company was the Royal Niger Company, which later metamorphosed into U.A.C.

Abonnema is the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State in Nigeria.

Notable people

Chief Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel, Owukori IX, Lawyer, Amayanabo of Abonnnema

Child Neurologist and Academic.

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References

  1. "Chief Olu Benson Lulu Briggs: Philanthropist with deep passion for development". Vanguard News. 2019-01-18. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  2. "Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel". guardian.ng. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  3. "What are the Origins of Nigeria". guardian.ng. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  4. "Dumo Lulu-Briggs". bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  5. "DLBAbout - Chief (Barr) Dumo Lulu-Briggs". dumolulu-Briggs.org. Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2021-01-04.

Further reading

4°43′23″N6°46′44″E / 4.7231169°N 6.7788461°E / 4.7231169; 6.7788461