History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi - Politics - Nairaland
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| History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 4:19am On Jul 22 |
History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria (By Prof. Eric Amadi) Majority of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots traceable from the old Benin Empire.” Iwhnurọhna people descended from the ancient Bini Kingdom. The name of the grand ancestor is Akalaka. Their relations in Rivers State are Ekpeye and Ogba people. The reigning Oba of Benin when Akalaka, the ancestor of Ihruọha (later called Iwhnurọhna) fled was Oba Ewuare (Ogwaro). Akalaka, a member of the Benin royal family, fled in the 13 th century on allegation of plotting assassination of the Oba. He died in 1462. Iwhnurọhna his third son settled east of the Sombrero River by 1538 AD, as detailed below. Chief N.M.T. Solomon (2004), native of Ikodu Ubie in Ekpeyeland, in his narrative draws heavily from the now authenticated written historical records delivered by various informed sources including “Eketu (Weber) of Ubeta, assumed to have lived for over two hundred (200) years as the oldest man in all Ekpeye, Ogba and Iwhnurọ hna (or Ikwerre), at that time (and) was asked to narrate the history and customs of Ekpeye people” as unfolded in his lifetime. Here is what he said, which has been validated by the accounts of the current generation through responses to our questionnaires and direct interviews thereby increasing our level of confidence on the data: Ekpeye, born in Benin, was the first of the three sons of Akalaka. While in Ndoni, he married a second wife to gain the love and favour of the people. The new wife gave birth to a son, which he named Ogba. Akalaka was still in Ndoni when his first wife, the mother of Ekpeye, gave birth to his third son called Ihruoha (Ikwerre). Similar historical fact by J.N. Olise (1971) averred that: “Akalaka, a member of the Benin royal family, fled with his wife from Benin to Ndoni, a community located close to the River Niger, to save the life of his new born baby (Ekpeye) … While at Ndoni, Akalaka took a second wife. … Akalaka had two sons, Ekpeye – born to him by his Benin wife, and Ogba – born to him by his Ndoni wife. According to F.E. Otuwarikpo (1994): ” After the death of Akalaka in 1462 AD, his two sons, Ekpeye and Ogba had conflict, which compelled Ogba, the younger son, to move northwards where he founded Ohiakwo (Obigwe) and settled with his family. Ekpeye who remained at Ula-Ubie had seven sons – Ubie, Akoh, Upata, Igbuduya, Ekpe, Awala and Asa. The last three sons – Ekpe, Awala and Asa crossed to the other side of Sombreiro River (present day Ikwerreland and settled there since 1538 AD.” He added that: “Ekpe migrated to present day Rumuekpe and spread through Elele (Alimini), Ndele, Rumuji and part of Ibaa. Awala migrated to present day Isiokpo …” Amadi-Nna (1993) also said Akalaka migrated with his half brother called Ochichi from the area of Benin Empire. Ochichi sons were Ele (Omerele, now Elele), Elu (Elumuoha, now Omerelu), Egbe (Egbeda) and Mini (Alimini, Isiokpo). The crucial point here, which is of great importance in tracing the joint origin of the ancestors of the Old Ahoada Division (in the Governor Diete-Spiff administration), is the mention of the number of children that Akalaka had, namely: Ekpeye, Ogba and Ihru ọ ha (Ikwerre). It is noteworthy that the pedigree and name of Ikwerre people, Iwhnurọhna, obviously took its root from this original name – Ihruọha. Chief Solomon therefore establishes a very vital historical link, which has been missing in literature on Ikwerre origin that would assume more significance in the discourses of Ikwerre genealogy in the future – the fact that Akalaka was the direct father of Ihru ọha (Ikwerre). Iwhnurọhna, in Ikwere parlance, means the face of the community (town, city or village). Nigerian colonial history records that the name “Ikwerre” was given by the colonial administration when they wanted to acquire the Rebisi waterfront to build the wharf. Using an Ibo interpreter to talk to the illiterate Rebisi (Port Harcourt) chiefs, they asked them: Would you permit us to use the waterfront to build the wharf for ships to berth? And they answered: A KWERULEM , meaning – “We have agreed.” What the white-man was hearing was “Ikwerre,” so he recorded it in the official gazette that the IKWERRE PEOPLE have agreed for the colonial administration to build the wharf. And since it was the official record of government, the name Ikwerre became the name of the Iwhnurohna people in all official documentations till date. Similar cases of Anglicization of native names in the NigerDelta region by the colonial administration are Benin for Bini, Okrika for Wakrike, Degema for Udekema, Abonnema for Obonoma, Brass for Gbara sni, Bonny for Ibani, Pepple for Perekule, Ahoada for Ehuda, etc Even so, “… there were dissenting voices, … who believed that Ikwerre origins lay outside Igbo land, … in the Benin Kingdom of old. It is, therefore, obvious that the interminable debate about Ikwerre origins and migrations including the repudiation of the Igbo tradition is not a phenomenon of the post-civil war period. The controversy, as it were, is not necessarily the product of the present political realities wherein groups which hitherto were seen to have cultural affinities now find themselves in different states or administrative systems.” — K.O. Amadi (1993) The Ogbakor Ikwerre Convention, a cultural organization of Ikwerre people, in a paper presented to the Human Right Violation Commission headed by Rtd. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa on 10 October 2001, said: “Ikwerre ethnic nationality is not and has never been a sub-group of any other tribe in Nigeria including Ndi-Igbo. There is no doubt that the advent of the British and later regionalization put Ndi-Igbo at the helm of affairs in Eastern Nigeria. This brought Ndi-Igbo into Ikwerre land. In course of time, the Igbo took advantage of their position in the then Eastern Regional Government to grab land in Ikwerre and occupy political positions such as the mayor of Port Harcourt. In the process, Ikwerre along with other minority groups were marginalized and driven to the background.” Professor Godwin Tasie noted that in 1913 the Rt Rev Herbert Tugwell, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, undertook an experimentation tour of Ikwerre towns and villages assumed to be Ibo-speaking to test the Union Ibo Bible Nso being introduced in Iboland. “Tugwell discovered from the tests he carried out that although the Ikwerre were often regarded as Ibo… the Union Ibo Bible translation, surprisingly, was not easily understood by the Ikwere.” This is obviously why Igbo vernacular was compulsorily introduced and taught in all schools in Ikwerre land before the Nigerian Civil War to the assimilation (i.e. destruction) of the Ikwere language. This also obviously led to the Rumuomasi Declaration in 1965. ” … in their meeting at Rumuomasi in 1965 the Ikwerre had, under the umbrella of a highly promising new body that was to get the Ikwerre together as a people of new and clearer vision, they had declared themselves as a people of the distinct identity of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality – not Ibo, not Ijo, not anything else but Ikwerre, Iwhnurọhna. This was the historic Rumuomasi Declaration of 1965 (G.O.M. Tasie, 2000). The full implication is that Ikwere people began to assert themselves forcefully as an ethnic nationality of their own and not Ibos or Ijos, and efforts were made to revert to the original Ikwere names for families, villages, communities and landmarks. For instance, there was the change from Umuola to Rumuola, Umuoro to Rumuoro , Umukrushi to Rumuokwurusi , just to name a few. 6 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by saddler: 4:23am On Jul 22 |
The land grabbers from the Yeast will attack you soon  They dont know their own history but are swift to tell another tribe where to belong. 7 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by asakoko: 4:29am On Jul 22 |
Interesting history 2 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by SangoOlukosoOba(m): 4:44am On Jul 22 |
Ikwerre bu o’tu! 37 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Remman(m): 4:56am On Jul 22 |
Bless you, op... those different tongues and tribes that want to invade our land and corrupt our culture with their own won't ever say the truth. They're like Fulanis that leaves their home to another man's land to invade and claim. 5 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by EyeCumInPeace: 5:34am On Jul 22 |
Tales by Moonlight. Una go explain taya. No evidence. The only evidence would have been you speaking a language similar to Benin (Bini). Or at least bearing Benin names. 19 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Curious345: 5:38am On Jul 22 |
Ikwerre, are strangers In rivers State. The land belongs to the ogonis and Ijaw. Ikwerre are Ibo men from IMO and Abia State,who moved to river State for business 6 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by gidgiddy: 5:42am On Jul 22 |
Ikwerres are free to claim to be whatever ethnic group, however, claiming to be some descendant of Bini migrants is laughable The reason is that even the late Oba of Bini, Oba Erediauwa, in page 19 of his book "I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant", said that Ikwerres and Etches are Igbos Make of it what you will but why would the Oba of Bini say that? 17 Likes
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| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Fighttillvictory: 8:26am On Jul 22 |
umunnem with this history I think it is best we allow the runo's to wallow in their stupidity |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by CyrusVI(m): 8:29am On Jul 22 |
Confusedlady,where have u been since na Glad, you're back U don give them reasons to weep again It promises to be tear-filled  Whalis 3 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by CyrusVI(m): 8:32am On Jul 22 |
Curious345: U once claimed to be Ikwerre but the way u refer to them here doesn't look like you're one of them Shame on u 3 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 8:33am On Jul 22 |
gidgiddy: Keep on deceiving yourself that the ultimate aim of the Ikwerre question is not IBO DOMINATION AND SUBJUGATION of an independent and seperate people. The article states how the Ibo manipulated their leadership of the old eastern region to dominate,subjugate and attempt to destroy the Ikwerre culture and language. No amount of spin can change these facts. 5 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 8:37am On Jul 22 |
CyrusVI: Good day. I have been reading a few books on the fraudulent business relationship between Sir Loius Ojukwu and Nnamdi Azikiwe and how they used the Africa continental bank to rip off the old Eastern region. I have also been reading up on the Ibo supremacist agenda of trying to assimilate Ikwerre culture,land and language by the Ibo. Over the next few days we should have a couple of threads put up. 3 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Dpharisee: 8:43am On Jul 22 |
Curious345:Try to dey stay one place, today you claim to be Ikwerre, next day you call them strangers in Rivers State depending on who created the thread because its a faceless forum 5 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by ElevationD: 8:52am On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: “ For instance, there was the change from Umuola to Rumuola, Umuoro to Rumuoro , Umukrushi to Rumuokwurusi…” May I ask if Umuoro and Umukrushi, which are Igbo names, do not have their own direct interpretation in Ikwerre language? What do you call such names in Ikwerre language? Turning Umuoro to Rumuoro, etc gives an appearance playing the ostrich. It appears like an effort at bastardizing the Igbo words in an attempt to erase the relationship. Can you offer an explanation please? 4 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Abagworo(m): 9:14am On Jul 22 |
Ikwerre root origin is Oha from Owerri while the ethnic group was established by Okpo Wagidi from Arochukwu who brought together the 7 different village groups to agree as one Ikwerre. Ikwerre as a name originates from that agreement as Ikwerre Asaa/Esaa or agreement of 7. Okpo Wagidi was a warlike Aro man aided by fierce warriors from Abam in Abia State. The Kalabari knows this history very well as he also established relationship with the Kalabaris. Each of the 7 group of villages that founded Ikwerre have their own history of origin. The Emohua area had migrations from Ekpeye in addition to earlier settlers while the Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor area had migrations from Etche, Imo and Abia States in addition to earlier migrations. Ihuru Oha means face of the people. 4 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 11:18am On Jul 22 |
ElevationD: Did you read the original post at all? Professor Eric Amadi wrote it in quite simple English that anyone without a hidden agenda should be able to comprehend. He stated that the Ibo used their numerical superiority and the fact that they controlled the Old Eastern region to dominate and eradicate Ikwerre language and culture. They forced the learning of Ibo as a lingua franca at the expense of the Ikwerre language. In fact they were so good at his ethnicity assimilation that they were able to produce the MAYOR of Port Harcourt. They were also able to use their influence in Enugu to buy up all Ikwerre lands and properties. Please read below quote if you missed it. -------------------------------------------------------- "Ikwerre ethnic nationality is not and has never been a sub-group of any other tribe in Nigeria including Ndi-Igbo. There is no doubt that the advent of the British and later regionalization put Ndi-Igbo at the helm of affairs in Eastern Nigeria. This brought Ndi-Igbo into Ikwerre land. In course of time, the Igbo took advantage of their position in the then Eastern Regional Government to grab land in Ikwerre and occupy political positions such as the mayor of Port Harcourt. In the process, Ikwerre along with other minority groups were marginalized and driven to the background." 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by ElevationD: 11:28am On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: That still does not answer the question. Mr. Eric failed to state it, as I carefully read through his historical claim. We all are Nigerians, colonized by the British and left with English as our common language. We have our respective languages, which were not wiped out by the British. The Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Tivs, Efiks, etc retained and still maintain their indigenous languages. Certainly you cannot say that Igbo language completely wiped off the indigenous Ikwerre language, otherwise you would be agreeing that Ikwerre belongs to the Igbos. If that dispute must be retained, then the question remains why such Igbo words and names were not translated into Ikwerre language, as a way to show that Ikwerre has no ethnic affiliation with the Igbos? Can you please prove that? Or better still, tell us the Ikwerre version of those names. Thank you very much, as I look forward to your response to this historical/linguistic request. 4 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Nomercie: 11:29am On Jul 22 |
Ikwere is Igbo and idu people should stop trying to divide brothers,I don't like Osus but the truth must be said as Omoluabi wey I be. |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 11:41am On Jul 22 |
ElevationD: Apparently you do not understand what an ASSIMILATION POLICY means. I suggest you read up on this topic. The Ibo policy in the old Eastern region was to continue the British colonialists erroneous policy of thinking Ikwerre were Ibo and as such seeking to assimilate them into Ibo people. Thus Ibo language was introduced as a compulsory lingua franca at the expense of the indigenous Ikwerre language and culture. The assimilation policy was equally employed by the French colonialists throughout French West Africa to eradicate native culture and languages and produce pseudo black French men. This was the same policy employed by the British colonialists and later by the Ibo Eastern region administration to brain wash and turn Ikwerre people into pseudo Ibo people. 2 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Fighttillvictory: 12:06pm On Jul 22 |
Ohh! Ikwere, your ancestors and forefathers will be sadly shaking their head over you. Your forefather after all the years in benin did not alter his iboness, all the name of his children after leaving benin was still ibo names. But i think he will be more angry at the fact that you Changed his name from ihruoha to what ever the fuc this is(iwhnurohna). Just to belong in a failed and criminal nig. 3 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by ElevationD: 12:15pm On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: My dear, you still beat about the question. We all know that assimilation was a method used to bypass native culture, traditions and languages. As much as they tried, assimilation was not as successful as intended. The same holds with other groups seen and accused as colonialists. In all the cities and states colonized by the French, which of them completely lost their native culture, tradition and language? Have you been around West Africa or North Africa, to former French colonies? I have been to several and they speak their native languages, with largely corrupted French as their central language. Your language is part of the identity. That the French tried to make French black men, still did not erode the fact of who they were/are and certainly not made them French people. We are Nigerians and not British. If you speak Ikwerre, for example, and you only permit English language in your home for your family, who is to blame? You are substantiating the claim of Mr. Eric. We know that English has not swallowed up any known Nigerian language, neither has Igbo as a language wiped out Ikwerre as a language, if there was any such language. Again, how many years did we have an Eastern region administration? Certainly it was not for eternity or long enough to wipe out Ikwerre language. If you cannot find the Ikwerre equivalent of those Igbo names and words, and there is no man old enough to give us the Ikwerre interpretation of those words, then I am sorry, we may not be far from the reasoning that Ikwerre cannot claim to have its roots in Benin, in its theory of evolution. What do you think? 6 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 12:22pm On Jul 22 |
ElevationD: I hope you know there are other Ikwerre historians that even claim that Ibos migrated out from under the Ikwerre and spread out to their present locations of Owerri,Aba,Onitsha and Enugu. As such Ibo could be said to be vassals of the Ikwerre due to similarity in their language. If you are arguing for the similarity in language and lexicon of Ikwerre and Ibo,the postulation can equally be made that Ibo people migrated from Ikwerre land to their present location. You may like to watch the video below carefully...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sHyklv_39s?si=ry_FuWPl9iC-NA4b |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Ojiofor: 12:28pm On Jul 22 |
They migrated from Benin but the names of every village in Ikwerre land is Igbo. why? 1 Like |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by ElevationD: 12:29pm On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: Ah ha! So if that is your new position, are you conceding that Ikwerres are Igbo people, whether Ikwerre arose from the Igbo nation or the other way round? By the way the present deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is Mr Ihunwo Obi Wali, an Ikwerre man. Without his personal conviction, what’s he doing there? Thank you for the peaceful discussion and decorum anyway. 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by LadyExcellency: 12:34pm On Jul 22 |
Fighttillvictory: The other day, Ikwerre professors claimed that Ogba, Etche, and Ikwerre are siblings together with the Ngwa people. There lies the mystery. |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by confusedlady(f): 12:38pm On Jul 22 |
ElevationD: I need you to understand that I am pointing out the various postulations among Ikwerre historians. The Ikwerre refuse to be yoked with the Ibo,but the Ibo keep on trying to attach themselves to the Ikwerre. Professor Eric in the original post argued that the Ikwerre migrated from Benin but the Ibo keep on arguing that this is not true because of similarity of language,because of this I provided you with another Ikwerre historian who as argued that the Ibo were actually vassals of the Ikwerre and Ibos actually migrated from Ikwerre to their present locations. Moving from the sea to the hinterland to form new towns. My personal opinion on this issue is that if a people refuse to be associated with you. Accept it as your fate and let them be. It is obvious the Ikwerre refuse to be associated with the Ibo. The Ibo need to accept this and let the Ikwerre people be. 1 Like 1 Share |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by ElevationD: 12:47pm On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: How can you have similarity of language and yet not the same people? It’s like the Ondo man saying that because he is not from Ekiti, they are not Yorubas. If you cannot find any definite Ikwerre version of those words, then you admit that they are Igbos. Can we not safely say that Ikwerre land is Igbo land, irrespective of the disagreements of the Ikwerres? You cannot have my children and yet turn around to say you are not connected to me. How e go take work? 1 Like |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by gidgiddy: 12:50pm On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: This one is neither Ikwerre nor Igbo, but opened up a thread to discuss Ikwerre and Igbo Talk about joblessness 2 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by Fighttillvictory: 12:53pm On Jul 22 |
LadyExcellency:hey propagadist put my post in order it is runo's and not run's. And what ever the fuc you wrote above is, it has no meaning 1 Like |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by LadyExcellency: 12:55pm On Jul 22 |
confusedlady: Do you know why it won't rest? When Nigeria shares the common patrimony, especially among the three major ethnic groups, Ikwerres tend to collect the Igbo portion while still denying the obvious fact. If Murtala could overthrow Gowon's government for appointing an Ikwerre man or Rivers minority as petroleum minister because he regarded them as Igbo says it all. 2 Likes |
| Re: History Of The Ikwerre People By Professor Eric Amadi by LadyExcellency: 1:00pm On Jul 22 |
Fighttillvictory:
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