The Ikwerre Emblem

The Ikwerre (natively known as Iwhuruọha, are an indigenous igbo tribe in Rivers State^[1][2]). They are the largest igbo ethnic group in Rivers State, spanning over four Local Government Areas; Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua.

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 the native languages and peoples of South-Southern 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, Umuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu and Obio in Ikwerreland.^[3]

Geography and cultural grouping

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^[4] of Rivers State.

The Ikwerre cultural area 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.^[5]

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 the OPA group (Obio/Port Harcourt/Akpor).^[6]

The Ishimbam^[7] or Elele clan cluster is located at the northern part of Ikwerre land, in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas. Most of these communities believe in one ancestor called "Ochichi" whose descendants founded most of the clans. Elele is believed to have been founded by "Ele", Ochichi's first son. This is why Elele is called Okaniali among the Ishimbam clans. The Ishimbam clans include: Elele, Akpabu, Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Omerelu, Apani, Ubimini and Omudioga.^[8] 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.^[8]

The REO (Rumuji/Emohua/Ogbakiri) cluster, or (R)Ishimini (as classified by Ogbakor Ikwerre), inhabit the southern part of Emohua Local Government Area. They are located in a riverine area. This cluster comprises:

• Odegu clan:
  • Rumuji
  • Rumuodogo
  • Ovogo
  • Evekwu
  • Rumuewhor
• Ndele
• Rumuekpe
• Uvuahu clan:
  • Ibaa
  • Obelle
• Emohua clan
• Ogbakiri clan^[8]

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.

• Obio: The Obio group is divided into three: Evo, Apara and Rebisi (Port Harcourt). Obio is regarded as the common ancestor of the Evo and Apara communities; Evo is the senior while Apara is younger.^[8]
  • Evo: This is subdivided into three:
    • Oro–Evo: (Rumuodomanya, Rumurorlu, Oginigba, Rumuobiakani, Rumuobochi, Woji, Rumuibekwe, Rumuogba)
    • Oro – Esara: (Okporo:{Rumukwurushi, Rumuodara, Iriebe}, Rumuokoro, Oroigwe, Atali)
    • Oropotoma: (Rumuomasi and Elelenwo)
  • Apara: Apara, the second son of Obio, had nine children: Eneka, Nkpoku, Ekinigbo, Okwuta, Adaolu (a daughter), Epirikom, Ola, Orosi, and Rebisi. These descendants founded the principal Apara communities of Eneka, Rukpokwu, Rumuigbo, Rumuokwuta, Rumuadaolu, Rumuepirikom, Rumuola, and Rumuorosi, respectively. Rumueme was established in the Apara territory, after Ozuruoha, one of Epirikom's descendants had invited his in-laws from Isiokpo to help him wage a war against his kinsman. Rumueme is said to be where these warriors from Isiokpo had resided permanently. Rumuomoi also joined in the said war and is believed to come from Isiokpo and joined Apara later.
  • Rebisi: This is an offshoot of the Apara clan. Rebisi had fled Apara during a conflict with his brothers. Rebisi had seven children: Ochiri, Adasobia, Olozu, Worukwo, Ezimgbu, Ogbum and Abali. The descendants founded: Orochiri, Oroada, Orolozu, Oroworukwo, Oromerezimgbu, and Ogbumnuabali (a merger of Orogbum and Oroabali), respectively. Internal migrations led to the establishment of other communities from the original seven, such as Elekahia. Others are Nkpogu, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Nkpolu Orogbum, Rumuwoji, Rumukalagbo, Oroije, Rumuibekwe and Orominieke.
• Akpor: Akpor is located east of the REO group, south of the Ishiali group and west of Obio. The clan has ten communities: Ozuoba, Choba (Isoba), Ogbogoro, Rumuosi, Rumuolumeni, Rumuokparali, Rumualaogu, Rumuokwachi, Rumuekini and Alakahia.

Origin

Main Gate, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area

The ancestral name of the Ikwerre people is Iwhruọnha in Ikwerre dialect ("Iruoha" in Central Igbo). The name of the grand ancestor is Akalaka and their relations in Rivers State are the Ekpeye and Ogba people. 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 ethnic nationality. ^[9]

The Ikwerre people are the majority tribe of Rivers State. According to some Ikwerre pundits, it is not true that the Ikwerre decided to claim they were non-Igbo for convenience during the Biafra war which occurred between 1967-1970. However, a lot of pundits and scholars within and outside Ikwerreland believe otherwise. The Ikwerre people were recognized in 1979 as a separate group in the Nigerian Constitution.^[9]

Many of the Ikwerre settlements believe their roots are traceable to the old Benin Empire, bearing in mind that the Empire comprised people of different languages and ethnicities, according to Prof. Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria".

The Aro (an Igbo clan) first came into the Ikwerre area through Ozuzu-Etche, settling at Isiokpo, Igwuruta, Omagwa, etc.^[10] 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 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 Igboid cultures and traditions.^[11]

But according to Prof. Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria, He noted that some of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots from the old Benin Empire.^[12]

Establishments in Ikwerre land

"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.^[13]

In recent times, as 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.^[14]

Leadership structure

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 is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre people.^[15]

Ikwerre land and industrial activities

The Ikwerre play host to several multinational oil-producing and servicing companies, in addition to many other industries and establishments.^[16][17] Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta, frequently complain of marginalisation by the oil operatives.^[18]

"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."^[19][20]

Notable people

Rotimi Amaechi

Herbert Wigwe

• Simeon Chituru Achinewhu, biochemist, scholar and university administrator
• Elechi Amadi, writer^[21]
• Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor, Rivers State, and former, Minister of Transportation
• Thankgod Amaefule (born 1984), soccer player
• Kingsley Chinda, minority leader, House of Representatives
• Monalisa Chinda, actress
• Mercy Chinwo, gospel musician
• Chinonye Chukwu, writer, director
• Tonto Dikeh, actress, musician, and politician
• Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta North,
• Omah Lay, musician
• Duncan Mighty, musician
• Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Vice-Chancellor Rivers State University
• Celestine Omehia, former Governor of Rivers State
• Emmanuel Onunwor, former Mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio, US^[22]
• Austin Opara, former Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives
• Waconzy, singer, songwriter
• Obi Wali, professor, and politician
• Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank PLC
• Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the FCT

See also

• Rebisi
• Indigenous peoples of Rivers State

Notes