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21-699: Obio is one of the seven groups of the ancient Ikwerre ethnic nationality . The Community constitute part of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and entire Port Harcourt Local Government Area both in Rivers State of Nigeria . Obio is bounded in the North by Akpor Community, in the West by Degema , to the East by Eleme, to the South by Okrika , bounded to the Northwest by Bori, to

42-451: A band of troops. The court was assessed as unsuccessful and been hated by the people. There were cases of corrupt practices by members as some of them were imprisoned. The court was suspended in 1930. Another grade "D" court was established at Woji of the same Obio group in 1930. The Rumuokwurusi Native Court had a court clerk and six court messengers that were permanent staff. All the officers drew large salary for their duties. None of them

63-535: A meeting place. From these ancestors, their sons left to form families, extended families and compounds of Obio group. Despite their differences, they acknowledged a common ancestor. Before the advent of British rule in the area, there were continuous rivalry between Rumuevo and Rumuapara. The presence of the number of Aros in the Area is accounted to have risen from the dispute that ensued between both brotherly communities. For instance, it accounted that for sake of curtailing

84-798: Is bordered by Ogba to the northwest, the Ekpeye and Abua to the west, the Ijoid groups of Degema , the Kalabari and Okrika to the south, the Eleme and Oyigbo to the southeast and the Etche to the east. The Ikwerre are made up of four main groups, namely the Elele group (Ishimbam), the Igwuruta-Aluu (Ishiali) group, the Rumuji- Emohua -Ogbakiri (REO) or Risimini group, and

105-655: Is bounded on the West and North West by Native Court area, bounded on the North by Etche clan of Okonmoko area, bounded on the East by Mbolli Native Court area and on the South by Okrika Native Court area and Port Harcourt Township. The Rumuokwurusi Court was upgraded to "C Grade" in 1923. In 1929, there was purposed for demolishing of the court. The move was frustrated by the District Officer and

126-503: Is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre , which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre people. The Ikwerre play host to several multinational oil-producing and servicing companies, in addition to many other industries and establishments. Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta , frequently complain of marginalisation by

147-582: The Grand ancestor Akalaka who also gave birth to the Ekpeye and Ogba etc. The paramount rulers in Ikwerre Land are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre tribe. As expected of pre-literate African societies, the history of the people is wrapped in myth and mystery. This presupposes that historians may have to resort to oral tradition for

168-583: The Ikwerre settlements have their roots from the old Benin Empire . "The acquisition of Ikwerre land began in 1913 by the British colonial government when it acquired a parcel of land from the Rebisi clan of Diobu because the then colonial government wanted to develop a harbor in the area. Once the sea port was established, the place became busy with commerce and trade and with a beehive of activities. In recent times, as

189-636: The OPA group (Obio/ Port Harcourt /Akpor). The Ishimbam or Elele clan cluster is located at the northern part of Ikwerre land, in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas . The Ishimbam clans include: Elele , Akpabu, Elele-Alimini, Egbeda , Omerelu, Apani, Ubimini and Omudioga. The Ishiali or Esila group inhabit the remaining parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area . Clans here include: Isiokpo, Ipo, Igwuruta-Ali, Aluu, Omuanwa, Omademe, Omagwa, Ozuoha and Ubima. The REO (Rumuji/ Emohua /Ogbakiri) cluster, or (R)Ishimini (as classified by Ogbakor Ikwerre), inhabit

210-667: The South East by Ahoada and to the South West by Ikwerre Local Government Area. Principal towns and urban communities of Obio Community include- New GRA , Old GRA , Rebisi , Rumuodumaya, Rumuigbo, Rumuokwuta etc. How and when the Obio came to live in this area is unknown. The legends and speculations are the Obio had lived by the Waja River near the Nwakpu shrine, which served as the common deity of

231-476: The administration of both brotherly clans. Until 1929, the Obio area was under Degema Division. The first town visited by the British troops was Woji . That marked the beginning of British rule in the area. A native minor court was established at Rumuokwurusi in 1902. The bench was selected by either compounds or the District Officer. The Rumuokwurusi native court had judicial authority over all entire area identified as Obio group of Ikwerre land. The territory

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252-472: The clan. Some elders hold that the Obio used to live where the Ahia Makara currently live. It Was alleged that Obio was a hunter who wandered in those area for hunting business. He was married to a wife named Okutarangi and had two sons; Evo and Apara. Ancient narrative of the community holds that Evo was the first son of Obio and was a farmer while Apara, the second son was a hunter. The elders claim that as Evo

273-438: The inheritance that Evo seized from Apara includes a number of slaves that their father bought for Apara. The slaves later left Evo and returned to Apara. The dispute arising from the management of their father's inheritance separated both brothers and created enmity among their descendants. When both brothers were separated, Evo settled at Woji while Apara settled at the area between Rumuola and Rumuigbo where Rumuapara today have

294-433: The justifiable/credible construction of the people's history. The works of popular Ikwerre novelist and playwright Professor Elechi Amadi, especially The Concubine, The Great Ponds, The Slave (novels) and Isiburu (a verse play) literary gives a clear history of the Ikwerre people and their cultures and traditions. According to Prof. Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria, He noted that some of

315-678: The native languages and peoples of South-Eastern Nigeria. It was also in line with this grouping those seven customary courts were established in Ikwerre during the Colonial administration. These courts were located at Elele , Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua , Choba , Aluu and Obio in Ikwerreland. The Ikwerre inhabit the upland part of Rivers State . and are predominantly settled in the Ikwerre , Obio-Akpor , Port Harcourt and Emohua local government areas of Rivers State . The Ikwerre cultural area

336-544: The oil operatives. "The Ikwerre community faced problems of marginalization , extreme poverty and environmental degradation of its land and rivers in the Niger Delta through the exploitation of oil and gas resources. Calls were made for the full participation of the Ikwerre people in the control of resources and decision-making on development; the urgent provision of electricity; improved health care and education services; and youth employment opportunities." Woji Too Many Requests If you report this error to

357-642: The rivalry, the Nye-Nwe Eli of Woji went to Arochukwu to invite Aros to come and help him settle the dispute with Rumuapara. Rumuapara followed suit, went to Arochukwu and asked the Aros to come and help him resolve the conflict with the Rumuevo. These actions brought about many Aros that settled in the community. Prior to the British rule, the Aros played a vital role in the existence of the people of Obio by helping to settle disputes as well as acquiring important positions in

378-462: The southern part of Emohua Local Government Area . They are located in a riverine area. This cluster comprises: The OPA ( Obio - Port Harcourt -Akpor) is a broad cluster that occupies the entire Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. It is subdivided into the Obio and the Akpor groups. The ancestral name of the Ikwerre people is Iwhruọnha in Ikwerre language . The Ikwerre originated from

399-668: The tempo of oil and gas exploration increased in Rivers State , it invariably put more pressure on Ikwerre land and its resources. As land was needed for development purposes within Port Harcourt and its environs, it was natural to turn to Ikwerre people who inhabit Port Harcourt and the surrounding territories. The Ikwerre exist in well-delineated clans, with each clan having its own paramount king . The Ikwerre do not have an overall paramount ruler or king, but designated kings, rulers or leaders mostly approved by their constituents. However, all paramount rulers in Ikwerre are united in what

420-514: Was a native of the community of the Obio group. The court clerk issued all the warrants, summonses and took down a complete record of the proceeding in English. Ikwerre people Traditional history has classified Ikwerre into seven groups called "Ikwerre Essa". They are Elele , Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua , Choba , Aluu , Igwuruta and Obio group. This division was first documented by Forde and Jones; (1950) in their ethnographic study of

441-432: Was a tiller of ground, he remained at home while Apara moved from place to place in search of greener pastures. When their mother died, Evo being at home sent words to his brother to return home to make his contribution towards her burial. Apara did not return for his mother's burial, the whole burial activities were carried out by Evo who after decided to seize all the inheritance of the family leaving none for Apara. Some of

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