Bayelsa State is one of the youngest states in Nigeria, carved from Rivers State during the tenure of General Sani Abacha on the 1st of October, 1996. The state is dominated by Ijaws with a substantial number of Urhobo and Isoko. But do you know that there are also Igbos in Bayelsa State?
We do not mean Igbos from the South East who are residents in Bayelsa. We mean Igbos whose homes, whose ancestral homes are in Bayelsa.
The successful attempt to carve out an Ijaw majority state, which is the present-day Bayelsa State, left a sizable number of Igbos who are now indigenous to Bayelsa. These Igbos are mostly settled in the western part of the state.
Igbo Villages in Bayelsa
Igbo settlements are scattered all over the state but the most notable settlements are in the Sagbama area. It is also believed that the Ogbia area is dominated by Igbos since their language, culture, and fashion are similar to that of the Igbo in Sagbama.
There are three Igbo villages housed by Sagbama; Osekwenike, Abuetor, and Eke-Okpokri which are opined to be from the Ukawuani stock of the Anioma Igbo clan.
The ancestors of the Osekwenike, Abuetor, and Eke-Okpokri people are believed to be mostly farmers that migrated from their kin network (at a different time) that settled in ancient Bini. The present-day Igbos in Bayelsa are mostly fishermen and traders with other occupations such as farming and manufacturing palm oil.
Challenges of Bayelsa Igbos
Despite the well-organized system of governance amongst the Igbos and their knack for always sticking together, the Igbos of Bayelsa are faced with some never-ending challenges which also affect the non-Igbo-neighbouring towns and villages.
Read this – Indigenous Igbo people of Kogi
The Sagbama River is a source of drinking water and a good source of business for fishermen. But over the years the river has been subjected to crude oil pollution like other rivers in Niger Delta, Nigeria.
The prevalence of water-borne diseases in Igbo communities is also alarming, bringing the death tolls to an all-time high. In 2020, research showed the widespread prevalence of water-borne diseases in the Sagbama community as 88%, Typhoid as (64%) and diarrhoea as (25%).
This study showed that the Sagbama River poses a serious health risk, not just to the Ndi Igbo of Bayelsa but also to the neighbouring communities. The Igbos, alongside people in other affected areas, protested on the neglect of oil companies and the un-involvement of the Federal Government.
Over the years, the inhabitants of the Sagbama have in one way or the other experienced flood. This is also prevalent in the Igbo communities, especially in Osekwenike community. This comes as no surprise as the area is surrounded by water.
Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Bayelsa State
To nurture a better understanding and harmonious relationship between “Ndi Igbo” (Igbo people) and any host community they may find themselves in, the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo was established.
They serve as an umbrella organization for the Igbo people in Nigeria and diaspora, it covers all Igbo-speaking communities including the indigenous Igbos of Bayelsa State.
Chief Amaku Chinedu is the president of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo of Bayelsa State.
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