ajuksobi:
KNOWING EGBEMA NATION.

😂😂😂😂 I’m from egbema imo state axis
We and our kind in rivers are 100% igbos



By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
11th May, 2023

Egbema is one of the ethnic groups in southern Nigeria. Egbema people, according to some commentators migrated from Bini in early 16th Century and settled in their present location which they call 'Alinso' meaning 'holy or sacred land'. In 1931 they changed the name to Egbema but the name 'Alinso' had remained in the background. However, some people have rejected this assertion saying it is baseless as there is no evidence to support the claim that Egbema people originated from Bini. According to them, Egbema people migrated from Igbo heartland especially, the Isuama area.

Egbema is blessed with both human and natural resources. Egbema has a fertile land and rich wild life. Majority of Egbema people are farmers, hunters and fishermen. Among the numerous natural resources in Egbema is crude oil and natural gas. Many Egbema sons and daughters occupy sensitive positions in both the public and private sectors respectively. One of its sons, Mr. Mike Okiro rose in the Nigeria Police Force to become an Inspector General in the foremost security organization.

Egbema was a single or unified ethnic nationality with 16 communities. The 16 communities include; Abacheke, Mmahu, Obiakpu, Etekwuru, Mgbede, Aggah, Okwuzi, Obokofia, Abaezhi, Umudike, Umuoji, Mgbara, Opuoma, Obeakpu, Ekugba and Oforoada. Unfortunately, Egbema today is divided: it is split between Rivers and Imo states.

The division of Egbema came as a result of a desperate political manuevering. The first attempt to split or divide the group by the powerful ruling elite of Nigeria began in the colonial era precisely in 1959. The plan was to move certain parts of the group from Ahoada Division which was its original Division to Oguta County Council. This plan however, did not see the light of day.

Prior to the division of Egbema in 1976, a prominent son of Egbema land from Abacheke in present Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state, Sunny N. A. Uzor was installed as the paramount ruler - Nzeobi of the entire Egbema ethnic nationality then in Rivers state. As a highly respected and influential ruler, the Nzeobi made enormous contributions toward the growth and development of Egbema ethnic nationality and Rivers state at large.

In the 70's, following issues bothering on political disagreements, the Nzeobi and 13 communities of Egbema were, under the Murtala Muhammed's regime moved into the newly created state (Imo state) on the 3rd February, 1976. Only 3 communities remained in Rivers state - the 3 communities are; Mgbede, Aggah and Okwuzhi. These communities today make up Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in Rivers state while the other 13 form Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area in Imo state. During the reign of Nzeobi of Egbema, the monarch was able to rule over the two blocs but after his demise on 8th August 2009, the stool has remained unoccupied because of the difficulty associated with superintending over people in different states. However, it is on record that the respected Nzeobi never supported the splitting of his Kingdom. In this regard, he, during the Justice Irikefe panel on creation of new states and boundary adjustment in 1975 reasoned that 'it was suicidal as well as criminal to split the inseparable and indivisible Egbema just to satisfy the whims and caprices of politicians'.

Regardless of the problem of division, Egbemas are great people with rich cultural heritage. The Egbema people are predisposed to unimpeachable rectitude and integrity. This is why they refer to themselves as 'Nde-nso' meaning 'holy people' and their land 'Alinso' meaning 'holy or sacred land'. Egbema has a number of festivals that are celebrated at different periods of the year. Some of the festivals include; Igwa-Ji, Iwu-Azhi, Ichi-Ozo, Igba-Mgba, Isu-Uzo, Ike-Ihuru, Idu-Miri, Owu/Idu-Miri Okrosha, Iri-Ji etc. The Egbema people have high regard for tradition.

Egbema is host to numerous institutions both public and private. It must however be noted that Egbema has some of the biggest names in the oil and gas sector operating on its soil - these organizations are; Shell Petroleum Development Company (Nig) Ltd (SPDC), Chevron Nig. Ltd., Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd. (NAOC).

One of the biggest challenges confronting the Egbema nation today is the division - they're an insignificant minority in both Rivers and Imo states; their voices are hardly heard despite their enormous contribution towards the wealth of the State. It is against this background that Mike Okiro as the national leader of Ogbakor Egbema Alinso, the apex socio-cultural body of the Egbema people two years ago, called on the Federal Government to create a local government for all the Egbema communities in Rivers and Imo states. Okiro further added that 'it doesn't matter whether the local government will be in Rivers or Imo'. All they crave for is to be united again!

From:
The New Onelga Pinnacle