BRIEF HISTORY OF ONITSHA

BRIEF HISTORY OF ONITSHA

...It is a town in South East Nigeria famed for its commerce, education and religious centre that lies beside the Niger.

Onitsha Mmili was known as Ado N'Idu, it was founded by one of the sons of Chima, the founder of Issele-Uku kingdom in western Igboland. Chima, a prince of the ancient Benin kingdom emigrated, settled and founded what is now known as Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area. The eldest son of Chima eventually emigrated across the Niger River to establish the Onitsha community. It is a town in South East Nigeria famed for its commerce, education and religious centre that lies beside the Niger.

Onitsha is the largest markets in West Africa, a center point where billions of naira are transacted every day.

Onitsha operates a traditional government headed by the Obi, the titular head of the town who is assisted by Ndi Ichie, titled red cap elders or chiefs. Among these are Ndi Ichie Ume, who are the First Class Chiefs. The Ndi Ichie are classified into six, namely: Onowu Iyasele, Ajie Ukadiugwu, Odu Osodi, Onya Ozoma, Ogene Onira and Owelle Osowa, with Onowu Iyasele as the traditional Prime Minister. There are also other Ndi Ichie, who are ranked second class, known as Ndi Okwa and third class, known as Ndi Ichie Okwareze. The Ndi Ichie serve as Council of Advisers to the Obi who solicits their advice in major decisions he takes in the Kingdom.

When the ruling Obi joins his ancestors, the Onowu Iyasele takes charge until a new Obi is enthroned.

Once a year in October the kingdom of Onitsha holds the Ofala Festival which coincides with the traditional New Yam festival held in many parts of Igboland. It is a way for the people of Onitsha to keep their culture alive and it has become a major event that draws visitors from far and wide to the city.

There are nine groups of Kindred, (Ebo Etenani), making up Onitsha Ado Community.

Onitsha traditionally consists of nine villages, otherwise known as Ebo Itenani. These are descendants of the progenitor Umuezechima comprising Isiokwe, Olosi, Umuezearoli, Okebunabo, Obikporo and Ogbeotu which claim origin from Igala in Kogi state, Awada (Ogbeozoma), Obamkpa comprising Umuasele, Iyiawu and Odoje Ndugbe and Odumegwu Gbuagu, Ubulu na Ikem, Ulutu, Ubene, Ogboli Eke, Obior and Ogbeotu. Within these groupings there are six administrative wards namely Okebunabo, Umuezearoli, Ogbeolu, Isiokwe na Ogboli Olosi, Obamkpa and Eke na Ubene.

The history of Onitsha began with the migration of its people from the Benin Empire towards the end of early part of the Sixteenth Century AD. The migration was as a result of a wave of unrest, war and displacement unleashed by the Islamic movement from North Africa.

It was during their passage through the outskirts of Ile-Ife that they acquired the name Onitsha - a corruption of the Yoruba word Orisha and Udo, the famous shrine worshipped by the people. As time went on, the combination of the two words, Onitsha for Orisha and Ado for Udo culminated in the present name , Onitsha Ado.

The people of Onitsha left the outskirts of Ile-Ife and resettled in the Benin Kingdom and soon established themselves as one of the clans in the Benin Kingdom exercising all the rights and privileges attached thereon.

As a result of a long process of acculturation in Benin, the Onitsha people jealously guarded their acquired rights particularly with regard to their revered Shrine Udo.

 It was suggested that the reason why the Onitsha people quarreled with Oba Esigie, (1404-1550), of Benin was because of the slight, the Oba gave their shrine-Udo. It was customary for newly installed Oba to pay homage to all important Shrines in the Benin Kingdom by slaughtering a cow in the shrines enclave. Oba Esigie failed to do this at the Onitsha people's Udo-Shrine, hence the quarrel.

It took the Onitsha people several years before they got to Obior and Ilah and finally crossed the River Niger and established Onitsha Ado. They stopped at several places in the then Mid-West now called Delta State, places like Agbor, Issele-Uku, etc. This explains the affinity with the inhabitants of Delta State like Ilah, Issele-Uku, Obbaamkpa, Onitsha-Olona, Onitsha Ugbo, Agbo, Obior, Onitsha Ukwu and so on.

After their arrival on the east bank (Onicha-mmili, "Onitsha-on-water"), the community gradually became a unitary kingdom, evolving from a loosely organized group of "royal" villages to encompass "non-royal" villages comprising Igala settlers, and the native Igbos to form a more centralized entity. 

Eze Aroli was apparently the first genuinely powerful Obi of Onitsha, the ruler of the city.

Onitsha slowly grew to become an important trading port for the Royal Niger Company in the mid-1850s following the abolition of slavery and with the development of the steam engine when Europeans were able to move into the hinterland.

Trade in palm kernels, palm oil, and other cash crops on the coast of Bight of Biafra increased around this river port in the 19th century.

In 1857 British palm oil traders established a permanent station in the city with Christian missionaries joining them, headed by the liberated African bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (a Yoruba receptive) and Reverend John Taylor (an Igbo Recaptive).

In 1900 Onitsha became part of a British protectorate.The British colonial government and Christian missionaries penetrated most of Igboland to set up their administration, schools and churches through the river port at Onitsha.

Dennis Memorial Grammar School established by the Anglican Church Mission Society in 1925

More immigrants from the hinterland of Igboland were drawn to the emerging boom town as did the British traders who settled there in Onitsha, and coordinated the palm oil and cash crops trade.

In 1965, the Niger River Bridge was built across the Niger River to replace the ferry crossing. This has helped to grow trade routes with western Nigeria and created significant economic linkages between Onitsha and Benin City and Lagos particularly.

Source: Gossip House

Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James. 

Akinwumiolamide09@gmail.com 

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Afuye’s Demise: Ekiti Has Lost A Political Unifier~ Adebomi.

Afuye’s Demise: Ekiti Has Lost A Political Unifier~ Adebomi. 

Chieftain  of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Captain Sunday Adebomi  has described the late speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye  as a political icon who used his position to stabilise politics in Ekiti.

Adebomi, a former Governorship aspirant in Ekiti State while commisersting with the government and  people of Ekiti State over the death of the foremost lawmaker also prayed for the reposed of the deceased soul.

He noted that Ekiti Assembly, under the leadership of late Afuye had ensured that the State got the best legislations without necessarily compromising the integrity of the third arm of government.

He said, "The death of the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye  came to me as a rude shock .The deceased was a prominent member of the Progressives family, and one of the few activists who fought for the enthronement of the democracy in Nigeria..

"Late Afuye, as the Speaker of the House ensured that Ekiti got best legislations on  gender and child’s rights. It is instructive to note that late Afuye did not allow unnecessary political  muscle flexing  in the assembly with the Executive as the house enjoyed smooth, cordial and productive relationship, he explained."

Adebomi therefore prayed that God Almighty  sound give the family the fortitude to bear the huge loss .

Oyebanji holds town hall meetings over 2023 budget.

Oyebanji holds town hall meetings over 2023 budget.

…to prioritise security, power, roads.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has assured the people of the State that the 2023 budget will give adequate consideration for their basic needs while targeting all round development of the state.

He also said that the recently launched 30 years development plan of the State would be his working document.

The Governor stated this on Friday during his citizens’ engagement meetings held in the three senatorial districts of the state as part of preparation for the 2023 budget. He added that the town hall meetings had become an “annual ritual” since the first administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, to ensure community participation in budget preparation.

The town hall meetings which took place in Ikole (North senatorial district), Ode (South senatorial District) and Ado-Ekiti (Central), had in attendance top government officials, State and National Assembly members, council chairmen, traditional rulers, market women, artisans and other stakeholders. The meetings received suggestions and proposals from various communities on projects they want government to include in the 2023 budget.

Oyebanji at the meetings told the people that his administration was irrevocably committed to participatory and all-inclusive government and budgeting, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to interact with the representatives of various towns and communities to articulate their needs for inclusion in the 2023 budget.

The Governor, who noted that the requests of all the communities are similar, said his administration would address their concern about security. He also challenged them on the need to assist the security agencies in intelligence gathering by coming up with relevant information of suspicious movements or activities to enable them track down people with criminal tendencies.

“We should all be vigilant about what happens in our society. I agree we should step up our action on Amotekun and strengthen the security outfit, but Amotekun without intelligence is zero. He said.

Governor Oyebanji who noted that the various concerns of the people including electricity supply, potable water, rehabilitation of roads, renovation of schools building and others assured the people that the administration is already making efforts with relevant authorities to ensure that electricity supply is restored in some areas that have been without power supply for years.

On his effort to strengthen the feedback mechanism from the people, the Governor said his administration would establish an Ombudsman office where the people can supply government with useful information that would guide government in its decision-making process.

On road rehabilitation, the Governor assured the people that the RAAMP 1000km rural road project is still in the pipeline and would commence immediately after the rainy season. He explained that all rural roads fall under the purview of the programme, which is in partnership with the World Bank.

While assuring Ekiti people that his administration would fulfil his electoral promise of bringing more development to the grassroots, Oyebanji appealed for their support to enable him achieve the lofty goals.

“All the requests made by all the communities are related and what we will do is to prioritize your requests because what is paramount in the heart of one community is different from that of the other community. The reason we are doing this is because the government belongs to you and you know your basic needs even though government may not be able to do all, but we would address the basic ones.

“As a responsible government, we are of the firm belief that citizens’ participation in budgeting process enables ownership and efficient service delivery. It also gives meaning to the popular definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln which describes democracy “as government of the people by the people and for the people”. For us, we want to govern with the people and not for them. You will always be part of our decision making and your voice will always be heard.

“This meeting is not only a personal commitment to participatory budgeting, it is also in conformity with the global best practices in budgeting. It is also one of the indicatory mileage of accountability requirements of the tripartite programme called: State Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.

“Our annual Budget preparation process shall be bottom-up, whereby the needs and interest of the people shall be articulated. The involvement of the citizens in the Budget preparation is geared towards effective utilization of public funds based on the needs of the people. He noted.

The representatives of the communities comprising the traditional rulers and community leaders, after presenting their various demands, also commended the Governor for sustaining the citizens engagement programme aimed at effective budgeting.

ARINJALE 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗝𝗨𝗔𝗪𝗢

ARINJALE 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗝𝗨𝗔𝗪𝗢

...calls him a forthright man ready to deliver. 

The Arinjale of Ise Ekiti, His Royal  Majesty, Oba Dr. David Adetunji Ajayi has described Air Vice Marshal Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo as a straightforward, honest, no nonsense politician who is not given to deception and doublespeak. 

Oba Ajayi made the remarks Saturday at this year's annual Ojoaduse celebration where AVM Ojuawo was given an award of excellence in community service.

The monarch admonished Ise indigenes not to belabour AVM Ojuawo, who is the APC candidate for the House of Representatives in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, with frivolous monetary requests in his bid to represent the people at the green chamber.

 'We all know AVM Ojuawo as a straightforward man who would not lie or promise what he cannot deliver. Don't go to him and be asking for money but let him bring to us dividends of democracy that will bring development to our community' Oba Ajayi said.

He called on the retired Air Vice Marshal to continue to toe the path of honour and integrity he has always been known for in and out of service.

Oba Ajayi also admonished youths in the community to embrace vocational training in order to improve their lot and be useful to the society.

RAO MEDIA TEAM

BREAST CANCER DAY: NYSC Corps Members Organises Breast Cancer Awareness.

BREAST CANCER DAY: NYSC Corps Members Organises Breast Cancer Awareness.

....Distributes Flayers On Breast Cancer.

By: Olamide Akinwumi James.

In a global effort to raise awareness on breast cancer, October has been designated as the Pink Month. The Pink Month is a month where efforts to educate those concerned about the disease, including early identification and signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer.

To commemorate 2022 Pink Month, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members of Medical and Health Community Developments Service (CDS) Group in Ihiala LGA, of Anambra State has organized a breast cancer awareness session for market women in Uzigwe market where breast self-examination techniques were taught through the usage of cardboard. 

The President of the Community Developments Group, Etim Richard Friday, said awareness of breast cancer risk and symptoms should be public knowledge, the more we know about breast cancer the better the chances of detecting abnormalities before cancer develops or detecting cancer in its early stages when treatment has its highest potential for successbreast sucking has helps to balance the cardiovascular system.

"l will advice the women to engage in self-breast examination and other healthy activities that can help them reduce the risk of breast cancer most importantly they should contact their physician if they notice lumps in the breast as early detection can safe life's, he explained."

Highlighting that 90% of early stage breast cancers are curable, often with treatments that conserve the breast. A medical practitioner, Mr. Eze Obumneke Godfrey, while speaking to market cum business women, urged them to always self-examine themselves regularly using their eyes and hands for any early signs, and to visit their doctor upon any strange discovery.

"Every year, breast cancer kills a huge number of women around the world. One out of eighteen women is said to be at risk of breast cancer. Many a times, a majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease, resulting in low survival rates, he explained."

He added that digital facilities are available at the hospitals which would ensure diagnostic prowess upon the discovery of any sign.

Earlier, the Medical and Health Community Developments Service (CDS) Group had organised a free medical checkup programme tagged, "important of medical checkup to life".

The orientation included updates on the current situation of breast cancer in Nigeria 🇳🇬, and prevention of breast cancer.

HOW PARCEL BOMB KILLED DELE GIWA.

HOW PARCEL BOMB KILLED DELE GIWA.  

....Giwa was a journalist who gave tyrants nightmares. 

Giwa was reportedly killed after he received a parcel bomb which detonated at his residence, then located at No. 25 Talabi street, Ikeja, Lagos state.

The journalist who died at 39 was known for exposing corrupt and illegal dealings of the government and this earned him recognition.

The assassination occurred two days after he had been questioned by officials of the State Security Service (SSS).

The Newswatch editor had just written an article on second-tier foreign exchange market (SFEM), a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy introduced at the time.

Under the SFEM policy, the determination of the naira exchange rate and allocation of foreign exchange were based on market forces.

In the piece, Giwa said if SFEM failed, the people would stone “their leaders in the streets”.

Ajibola Kunle Togun, the then deputy director of the SSS, later met with Giwa and said he did not find anything offensive in the story.

But in a different turn of events, Ray Ekpu, a colleague of Giwa, said Togun accused the journalist of planning to publish the “other side” of the story on the circumstances that led to the removal of Ebitu Ukiwe as chief of staff to Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state.

Giwa was also accused of plotting with the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other groups to carry out a “socialist revolution”.

Around the same time, Giwa was quizzed by Halilu Akilu of the directorate of military intelligence (DMI) over an allegation that he had been heard speaking to some people about arms importation.

He appeared at the SSS headquarters on the matter on October 16, 1986 — two days to his assassination.

On October 18, Akilu called Giwa’s home and asked his wife Funmi for directions as he wanted to stop by on his way to Kano.

On the day of the assassination, the DMI official reportedly told Giwa over the telephone that the matter had been resolved after the journalist inquired about his frequent calls.

Not long after the call, a package was delivered to Giwa which severely wounded him. He was with Kayode Soyinka, London bureau chief of Newswatch, who narrowly escaped the blast after he excused himself to visit the restroom.

Giwa was taken to the hospital but later died from the wounds he sustained from the blast. He would have been 70 this year.

Till now, nobody knows who sent the letter bomb.

MONISADE MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, AFUYE.

MONISADE MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, AFUYE.

.....Commiserated with Ekiti State Government.

....Consoled the family of the deceased.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye has commiserated with Ekiti State government, the lkere community and the entire people of the state on the death of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly , Rt. Hon Funminiyi

Afuye .

ln a statement released from the office of the Deputy Governor in Ado Ekiti, Monisade described the late Speaker as a gentleman, patriotic citizen, a vibrant leader and a political genius whose initiatives and ingenuity has earned the state encomiums across the country. 

The Deputy Governor who described Funminiyi's death as shocking expressed deep sadness at losing a key stakeholder from her hometown who according to her, still had a lot to contribute to the development of Ekiti State.

She prayed for the repose of his soul and also prayed that God should grant the State government and the people of the state especially his lkere community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.