Abonnema

Last updated

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: - Bobmanuel - Head Chief of the Manuel Group of Houses, Young Briggs - Head Chief of Briggs Group of Houses, Akpana Georgewill - Head Chief of Otaji Group of Houses, Kala-Dokubo - Head Chief of Jack Group of Houses, Granville Don Pedro, Douglas Manuel, Black Duke, Bestman Briggs, Young Jack, Young Don Pedro, Member Briggs. 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.

Judge,Supreme Court of Nigeria(1984-2002)

Judge of the United Nations (International Criminal Court- International Criminal Tribunal for The Former Yugoslavia- 1993-1998

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo State</span> State of Nigeria

Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2006 national population census, the state was ranked as the 22nd most populous state (3,233,366) in Nigeria. The estimated state population is around 4,777,000 in 2022. Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria. The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry. Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation. Edo State borders Kogi State to the north for 133 km and across the Niger River for 81 km to the northeast, Anambra State to the east for about four km across the Niger River, Delta State to the southeast and south for 350 km, and Ondo State to the west.

Bonny Island is situated at the southern edge of Rivers State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria near Port Harcourt. Ferries are the main form of transport, though recently an airstrip has been built and it’s fully functional - with flights from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively to and from the island. The local dialect spoken in Bonny Island are Igbo language and Ibani language.

The Berom is one of the largest autochthonous ethnic group in Plateau State, central Nigeria. Covering about four local government areas, which include Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi (Gwol) and Riyom. Berom people are also found in some southern Kaduna State local government areas like Fadan Karshe with Berom settlers tracing their origins to Za'ang (Zawan) a Berom district on the Jos Plateau. They emigrated during the British Colonial Government of Nigeria. A large number of this tribe, if not all, are Christians. Statistics also have it that a large number of the population of Plateau State is made up of Berom people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent National Electoral Commission</span> Nigerian national electoral body

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the electoral body which oversees elections in Nigeria. It was established in 1998 shortly before Nigeria's transition from military to civilian rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalabari tribe</span> Sub-group of the Ijaw people living in the eastern Niger Delta region of Nigeria

The Kalabari are a sub-group of the Ijaw people living in the eastern Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Originally, they were known as the Awome. The name Kalabari was derived from their ancestor Perebo Kalabari who was a son of Mein Owei. Their original settlement was spelt as Calabar by the Portuguese which was pronounced Kalabari. This settlement (town) was abandoned as the people moved to other fishing settlements. Portuguese settlers continued to maintain the name Calabari which became surrounded by the Efik people of Duke town. When the British came the word Calabari was pronounced as Calabar (Kalaba) instead of Kalabari. At this time the original Ijoid Kalabaris had moved to a new location which became the new Calabar territory since the old Calabar is occupied by different people. Old Calabar became an Efik town with time which has the name Calabar.

The Bille tribe of the Ijaw people lives in central Rivers State, Nigeria. Bille is one of the Ancient Ijaw Kingdoms in the Eastern Niger Delta region. The tribal seat is the town of Bille. Bille Town is the headquarters of the Ancient Bille Kingdom founded by Queen Ikpakiaba in the 9th century. It is a choice place for tourism because of its rich unadulterated culture of the Ijaw people. The people are friendly, accommodating and fun loving. Bille is one of the places on earth where the dignity of womanhood is upheld. Democracy is enshrined in its culture and therefore there is a practice of equal rights.

The Kula tribe of the Ijaw people lives in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, southwestern Rivers State, Nigeria. The Kula people were not originally speaking Kalabari as their language but has lost their real language due to trade and close interactions with the Kalabaris. The small Kalabari-speaking tribe is sometimes classified as a Kalabari community rather than as its own tribe. The tribal seat is the town of Kula founded and established by King Sara 1.

Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni is a Local Government Area of Rivers State, in South-South Nigeria under Rivers West Senatorial District, with its headquarters at Omoku. With about 258,700 People according to 2006 Census. It is bounded by Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Anambra States and also by Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Emohua Local Government Areas of Rivers State. They are part of the Igboid speaking Areas of Rivers State with three Tribes starting with Ogba as the dominant tribe with 12 legislative wards, the Egbema and Ndoni people who are also found in Ogbaru L.G.A and Ukwuani L.G.A both with 2&3 legislative wards respectively. It is majorly upland and home to the highest upstream Oil and Gas exploration/exploitation activity in the State since early 1960's with about 12 mining/producing fields operated by AGIP, Total Energies and Shell/NPDC with many other reserve/untapped fields. It is part of the Ogba / Egbema / Ndoni / Ahoada West constituency of the Nigerian House of Representatives. Hon. Vincent Job is the Executive Chairman of ONELGA.

Akuku-Toru is a Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Abonnema.

Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas was a Nigerian politician who was appointed Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in 1989, then Minister of Aviation in General Ibrahim Babangida's cabinet. In 1999, he was appointed Minister of Labour and Productivity, and in 2000, Minister of Tourism in the Olusegun Obasanjo cabinet, leaving office in January 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reynolds Dagogo-Jack</span>

Reynolds Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, popularly known as "Beks", is a Nigerian civil engineer, technocrat, entrepreneur, and public servant. For over thirty years, he has been active in both the public and private sector, especially in areas of government/public administration and project management including engineering, construction and manufacturing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayiri Emami</span> Nigerian businessman

Chief Ayiri Emami is the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, a Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist, the chairman and chief executive officer of A & E group, a company with investments in oil and gas, construction, haulage, entertainment and the hospitality industry.

ChiefMofia Tonjo Akobo was a Nigerian politician and his major campaigns were on environmental and resource control issues. He was the first Minister of Petroleum Resources in the Federal government of Nigeria. He was trained as a medical doctor and a soldier and was deployed in the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). As the first Minister of Petroleum, it made him a key figure in developing the economy after the war, unfortunately still heavily reliant on oil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election</span> 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State, Nigeria

The 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Rivers State, concurrent with elections to the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent PDP Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs</span> Nigerian statesman and businessman

Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs (1930–2018) was a Nigerian statesman and businessman. He was the "Iniikeroari V" of Kalabari Kingdom and the Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema. According to the 2012 Forbes magazine Africa's 40 Rich List, OB Lulu-Briggs, the founder and chairman of Moni Pulo petroleum development limited, was the 31st richest man in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dumo Lulu-Briggs</span> Nigerian politician and businessman

Dumo Lulu-Briggs is a Nigerian Businessman and politician. He is a member of Accord party and was the Governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 Rivers State guber elections.

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