SAVE OMOKU RIVER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

By: Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
07031523329
16/09/2021




Omoku is the headquarter of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni local government area of Rivers State. Omoku is located in the Northern part of the state; it is close to the boundary of Delta and Imo States. It has an estimated population of over 200,000 people. Omoku covers a total land space of 52km² (20sq mi). It is blessed with both human and natural resources: key among the natural resources are crude oil and natural gas. The abundance of these resources earned it the nick name 'oil city'.

Omoku is host to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), National Independent Power Plant ( NIPP), Federal College of Education (FCE) and a host of other organizations. Omoku is a fast developing town with communities such as; Obosi, Obokata, Obieti, Usomini, Obohia, Agbogwe, Ozra'enwho etc. Omoku is also the headquarter of Ogba nation and the seat of the Oba (Eze Ogba) throne.

One of the distinguishing features of Omoku is the Omoku River popularly known in Ogba dialect as 'Onosi Omoku'. Before the exploration and exploitation of oil in Ogbaland, the Omoku River was a defining factor in the life of the people. In other words, the life of the people revolved around the river. There was hardly anything the people did without the river. For those who farmed, Omoku River was the gateway as they used it to access their farms which were usually at the other side of the river known as 'Uwhesi'. Even those who settled in plantations known as 'Ogboru', the river was their navigation channel. Omoku River was not only important to the people of Omoku but to the entire Ogba nation. With the river, other Ogba towns like; Obiozimini, Ohia-Ugah, Okpurukpuali, Obrikom, Kriegani, Aligu, Ohali- Usomini, Elieta etc were accessed. The Omoku River connected with rivers like; Orashi, Onita, Sombrero, Niger etc. This connection enabled Ogba people to interact with other people within the Delta region and beyond such as; the Ijaws, Igbos, Igalas, Itshekiris, Urhobos etc. The river was the pivot of the daily sustenance of the people: they drank from it, fed from it, traveled by it, received spiritual strength from it. The Omoku River is to the Omoku people what the Nile is to the Egyptians - they can't do anything without it.

Historically, the name 'Omoku' is derived from the Omoku River. The river was discovered by a man from Obigwe called Eke Okirieta. Eke, during one of his hunting expeditions discovered the Omoku River. From the time he discovered the river, it became a source of livelihood for the people within the locality. Later, the first settlers in the area; Agburu and his brother, Okpraeme, according to Francis Ellah "prepared a charm known as 'udo madu' (drawer of persons) which they placed in a traditional pot called 'okhu' in Ogba dialect and kept it at the bank of the river". The essence of this charm was to attract people to come and settle in the new found land. Those affected or attracted by this charm became 'Umuokhu' meaning 'children of 'okhu'. It is the mispronunciation of the name, 'Umuokhu' that produced the word, 'Omoku'. The corruption of the name, 'Umuokhu' was as a result of the colonial administrators inability to pronounce the name correctly. For the benefit of easy pronunciation, they called it 'Omoku' and spelled it accordingly.

Following oil exploration and exploitation activities after the civil war, the beauty and grandeur of Omoku River began to wane as attention started shifting from fishing and farming to oil. This trend continued unabated till the river transmogrified into a glorified gutter. Today, the Omoku River is an eyesore; it has shrunk to the extent that children can walk across it with ease. Just few decades ago, the river was a sight to behold: its size was intimidating. From afar, the thick and green vegetation standing beside the river beckoned on visitors and indigenes alike to come and appreciate its bountifulness. It was inconceivable to visit Omoku without seeing the river. During holidays or festive periods, the river was always jam packed with people who come to take their bath while others come for mere sightseeing: some knavish young men come to satiate themselves by taking a peek at the voluptuous and beautiful curves of women taking their bath in the women section of the river - men were forbidden from going close to the women section.

As children those days, we were told a lot of stories about Omoku River. Some of these stories stirred our young minds that we began to look at the river with awe. One of such stories was about how the Aboh war canoe which was sunk ( at a part of the river called 'Edebu' near the estuary or mouth of the river) during the Aboh/Ogba war used to rise to the surface of the water. Some elders corroborated this story by boasting to us that they have caught a glimpse of the boat before. Another story that was quite compelling is the story of how 'Erisi Omoku' ( the deity that incarnates the Omoku River) quietly goes to the market and returns as a whirlwind pulling down everything on its path - stories concerning the Omoku River are legion and inexhaustible.

The Omoku River was the pride of of the Omoku man; it helped to build an enviable aura around him. The river was within reach for him to take his bath regularly and wash his clothes as often as he deems fit. Feeding was not much of a problem as the river provided him variety of food ranging from; fish, crayfish, prawns as well as edible plants. Even in the peak of the dry season, there was always something to take home. In this regard, the Omoku man became a virtuoso not only in cleanliness but in the pursuit of the life of pleasure. This attitude often time is misconstrued as 'self indulgence' - this explains why people outside look at him with envy and resentment.

Omoku River, in the last four to five decades had a fascinating dept and width. The width, for instance measured between 90 and 100 meters. But following natural occurrences like sedimentation, a large volume of silt, sand and other debris have accumulated at the bottom of the river. This excessive build up have resulted in a number of problems such as; reduction of the dept and width of the river (such that the passage of big boats are made impossible) and the disappearance of aquatic wildlife, plants, beaches etc. Based on this problem and the shift of attention from agriculture to oil I mentioned earlier, the Omoku River has been relegated to the background. The people of Omoku, especially the ruling elites seem to have forgotten the importance and significance of the Omoku River in the history of the land. Those who have the capacity to prevail on government to bring back the lost glory of the river by dredging it see the move as a misadventure - they don't care about the health condition of the river. While these category of people are being condemned for their nonchalant attitude towards the river, there is another group of Omoku people, many of whom are men and women of influence that, rather than salvage the river use it as a means to further their selfish ends. It is a well known fact that the plan to dredge and canalize the Omoku River by government have, at different times been frustrated by certain verminous elements in the community: they collude with their associates outside to to divert the money meant for the project into their private pockets. These caliber of people, by their actions have proven to be less than dogs because dogs don't eat the bones tied around their neck - they have lost their value as humans. In the midst of all these, the posture of silence adopted by the 'supposed' defenders and custodians of Ogba culture have remained a source of concern to well meaning Ogba sons and daughters. How can a man commit such an abominable act against his land and be allowed go about his normal business without qualms? Those behind this shaming and retrogressive act should, as a matter of urgency be identified and caused to expiate the sins they have committed against the land: this task is placed squarely on the lap of the Chief Custodian of Ogba Culture and heritage, the Ogba monarch.

The benefit of dredging the Omoku River cannot be over emphasized. Considering the fact that crude oil and natural gas are nonrenewable resources, it is imperative that we begin to look beyond them. The reason being that, in no distant time, these natural resources will either be exhausted or displaced by some other clean and better resources. Therefore, it is necessary for us to develop every area that will help improve our lives. By dredging Omoku River, we stand to gain the following:

1. Deepen and widen the river ( the navigational channel) with the aim of improving access for large boats to safely use the channel.

2. Create room for the construction of mini wharfs, marinas, dams etc.

3. Change the way water moves in Omoku. The essence if this is to reduce flood risk and free up more lands.

4. Clean up the water body which has been silted up and blocked with decaying organic matters like; trees, leaves etc.

5. Improve the quality of the water in the sense that the decaying process which uses dissolved oxygen will be eliminated. If this is done, fishes and other aquatic animals/ organisms will begin to flourish again.

6. Provide the people ample economic opportunities.

The above benefits are real and must not, for whatever reason be taken for granted. All relevant stakeholders in Ogbaland and indeed friends of Ogbaland must rise to the occasion of restoring the pride of Omoku, the Omoku River before it is too late.

Long Live Omoku!
Long Live Ogbaland!!
Long Live Onelga!!!
Long Live Rivers State!!!!

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Omoku, my second home,I love ogba people