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 four independent chieftaincy houses from the Kalabari city-state (Elem Kalabari).

History

The founders included Chief Ekine Bob-Manuel who sat on the Owukori Manuel stool and served as the first Amanyanabo, Chief Young Briggs who sat on the Oruwari Briggs stool, Chief Akpana Georgewill who sat on the Otaji stool, Chief Kaladokubo Standfast Jack who sat on the Iju-Jack stool. These are the four founding houses of Abonnema. Accompanied by these four founding fathers were Chief Opu-Benibo Granville, Chief Orubibi Douglas, Chief Ngbula Blackduke Oweredaba, Chief Ajumogobia Bestman, Chief Young-Jack, Chief Kala-Akpana Don-Pedro and Chief Aribimeari Membere . The Abonnema Kingdom is currently made up of the four various founding houses.

The houses are headed by head chiefs, and the entire Abonnema Kingdom is headed by the Amanyanabo and head chief of the Owukori Manuel House, which was chosen based on his chieftaincy stool being the oldest of all the stools upon landing in Abonnema. The incumbent chief on the Owukori Manuel stool is therefore the Amanyanabo and primus inter pares of the head chiefs. Various titles have been used to describe the ruler of Abonnema, such as"Amanyanabo", "Chairman of the Council of Chiefs" and "Amadabo".

The head chief from the Bob-Manuel (Owukori) house has always served as the Amanyanabo of Abonnema. If by reason of his absence due to travel, illness, or death, he is unable to reign, the mantle passes to the next most senior chief. Seniority in Kalabari chieftaincy is only dependent on the date of the chieftaincy stool creation and installation. No amount of wealth or fame can elevate a younger chieftaincy to take precedence over a chieftaincy of an earlier creation.

Today, Abonnema's Amanyanabo is Chief Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel, Owukori IX.

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

  • Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte JSC,CON,CFR

Judge,Supreme Court of Nigeria(1984-2002)

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

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″N 6°46′44″E / 4.7231169°N 6.7788461°E / 4.7231169; 6.7788461

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