Akassa, is an Ijaw town at the southernmost tip of Nigeria in Bayelsa State [1] where the Nun River estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. [2] It has a lighthouse that has stood since 1910, Akassa Lighthouse. [3]
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The proximity of Akassa to the Atlantic [4] has made it a traditional trading site in Nigeria and during British colonial years it was the site of an outpost of the Royal Niger Company. Taxes imposed by the company on local peoples caused the settlement at Akassa to be attacked in 1895. [5]
In the heart of the Niger Delta, [6] habitation in the general region is sandwiched between salt water and the brackish water of mangrove swamps and most locals make their living from fishing or small scale trading, or by providing services to multi-national oil companies [7] active in the area. [8] There are few roads and no electricity. Health and educational facilities [9] are few and most people do not have access to clean water.
More recently, the Akassa Development [10] Foundation was formed in conjunction with Pro-Natura International, Statoil and BP to build local capacity. [11] [12]
For clarity, Akassa is Clan made up of over 22 communities some of which are but not limited to:- 1. Sangana. 2. Minibie. 3. Buoama. 4. Oginibiri. 5. Bekekiri. 6. Kongho. 7. Ogbokiri. 8. Kotikiri. 9. UAC where the slave trade started in Nigeria. 10. Apararanbie. 11. Ereweibie. They are referred to as the Akassa speaking people in the estuaries of the river nun, river Sangana and the Cape Fomosa (Opreye Tari Owei - BSc, MBA, DBA in-view) 30th March 2025.
HISTORY: Historically, Akassa was one of the five ancient city states in the Niger Delta which were consolidated in about the 1400s by trade with early European merchants (Portuguese, Spanish, etc.). Akassa was founded at about 11th century with Monarch/King of the ancient city state named King Lah the progenitor of Akassa territory also called AKAHA. Other monarchs/kings after the progenitor include King Emere, King Opunama, King Agbodo, King Buo, King Tolu, King Ottonie (Anthony, Ikonibo I) and King I. N. Anthony. These Monarchs (Amayanawei) reigned in different eras from four royal families (IMERE FAMILIES, IKONIBO FAMILIES, HURUBO FAMILIES AND BUO FAMILIES) of LAH the progenitor. AKASSA CLAN is situated along the eastern bank of the Nun estuary (on the Cape Formosa ridge-barrier island) at present-day Oginibiri (Opu-Akaha) to Fish Town (Ohonuweitoru) in the southern bank of Sangana River and Fishtown River. The ancient people of Akassa dwelled in three quarters known as Pegu`biri, Itanghai`gbene, and Bie`biri. Present-day Akassa speaking people is a sub-ethnic nationality within the parent IJAW ethnical nationality in the Niger Delta.
POLITICAL: Politically, Akassa clan was originally recognized as one of the 3 District in old BRASS Local Government Area (Akassa District, Nembe District and Ogbia District) made up of current Brass LGA, Nembe LGA and Ogbia LGA. Akassa Clan has four wards with headquarters at Erewei-Kongho (Ward 7), Oginibiri (Ward 8), Minibie (Ward 9) and Sangana (Ward 10). However, in 2000, Akassa became one of the 24 new RDAs (Rural Development Authority) “G-24” created by the Chief Alamieyeseigha Civilian Government in Bayelsa State, with OGBOKIRI as Headquarters.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: Akassa coastal territory (ACT) has an area of 450 square km. and it falls within latitudes 4 ``o`` 2`N and 4`o` 4`N; and within longitudes 6 ```o``` 20`E and 6 ```o``` 40`E. Akassa coastal territory (ACT) consist of two ecological zones, namely the coastal tropical zone (comprising of three main coastal ridge-barrier islands), and the tidal mangrove swamp belt (comprising numerous coastal mangrove wetlands criss-crossed with estuaries, rivers, and creeks of the three major deltaic rivers - river Nun, river Sangana and river Fishtown). Akassa clan comprises 21 major towns and villages and over 131 satellite settlements/fishing ports).
Major towns and villages from South to the East of Akassa are as follows: Fishtown (Ohoniweitoru), Otuo, Sangana (Kamatoru), Apparanbie, Buoama, Kongho, Ereweibie, Kotikiri, Ogbokiri (Sukulukiri), Bekekiri (UAC), Miniagba (Tobukiri), Minibeleu, Minibie, Itohono-ama, Okunbiri-beleu, Opu-Okumbiri (Igberiongulogu), Oginibiri, Hununu, Kolobie.
Others are: Bara-Ama, Tobugbene, Opugbene, Amaingbene, Otolo, Yabie, Akahapolo, Akpama-ama, Ipelipeli-beleu, Iwokoroama, Ikwaikiri, Kekenigbene, Aparanamgba, Ototokibie, Ihonogbene, Kubueki, Meindikuroweibebe, Dokumogbene, Otuobene, Jekegbene, Odonigbene, Imgbikiba, Igbelebebe, Igbelebie, Waterwaygbebe 1, Waterwaygbebe 2, Epelepelegbene, Obih gbene 1, Obih gbene 2, Oruwo, Hewaritimiyon, Obonghoamgba, Obudogbene, Okobotuo, Obogoro, Tikpama, Tukugbene, Abagbene, Ere-eregbene, Katagbebe and other satelight settlements.
OCUPATION: People of Akassa major occupation is fishing, petty trading in the area's network of town markets and subsistence farming. They also engaged in water transportation as the Islands are not yet linked to the local government/State capital by road but accessible on speedboat and ferry local boat through river.
AKASSA AND SLAVE TRADE: Bekekiri (UAC) Town in Akassa Clan was head quarters of slave trade where the British\Europeans harboured as transit Camp and stocked slaves from the hinter land and exported to Caribbean and America. The Slave Transit Camp and Tunnel including the slave buildings made up of brick walls and solid iron and restraining chains are everywhere that were used on the slaves.
Akassa territory situated at the coast of the Atlantic had always been a traditional trading site in Nigeria, especially in the business of palm oil trade during the colonial era. Before the abolition of the slave trade, it was one of the major centres in the country for the Trans-Atlantic slave trade during the British colonial years. Also, it was the site of an outpost of the Royal Niger Company in the Post-Colonial Era of the 19th century.
AKASSA HISTORICAL RELICS: The historical relics include the old UAC factory, Portuguese slave depot/slave jetty, British cemetery (white-men grave yard), lighthouse, ship wrecked, steamships, truck rails, harbour wharf , engineering/marine base, slave house, slave masters administrative block and quarters, whore-houses, flag-pole, anchors, cannons, etc. Despite the erosion of past decades some of the antiquities can still be found. (Edited by Opreye Tari Owei, Johnson Girrah and the Akassa Development Union Platform April 1st 2025).
