The Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State has insisted that they have no ancestral link with the South-Eastern part of the country, as being erroneously portrayed in some quarters.
They maintained that they are a distinct ethnic group in Rivers State, South-South of Nigeria, and are by no means connected to the Igbos, who are located in the South-East geo-political zone of the country.
A prominent Ikwerre elder, Sir Mike Elechi, stated this at the launch of a book titled ‘Without Prejudice: An Exploration of Ikwerre History,’ written by the late Dick Azunda Hekerem Emejuru.
Represented by His Royal Highness Damian Ejiohuo, the Nye Nwe-Ali Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area of the state, Elechi, a member of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, who was the chairman of the occasion, said in his address that the Ikwerres have a migration history from the ancient Benin kingdom, adding, “At about 1438 AD, there was a revolution in the Benin kingdom, which led to the assassination of the heir apparent to the throne of the Oba of Benin.”
He added, “The revolution was premised on human sacrifice during a particular festival. Some princes – namely, Asava, Oniche, Akalaka and Owiri – spearheaded the revolution. All of the princes involved in the skirmish ran eastwards for safety with their families.
“Akalaka moved down with his family of two wives and children to Elele (Okani-eli). His first wife begat two sons – Ekpeye and Ogba – and the second wife begat Iwhurohna, Etche and Ngwa…The same incident that led to the Benin revolution reared its ugly head again at Elele. It was to your tents oh Israel. Ekpeye, led by his first son Ehuda, crossed the Sombriero River with Ogba, and the latter moved towards the Orashi area.
“Iwhurohna and his barrage of three wives and many children decided to remain at Elele, ‘Akwerrile naa soh nii nowa’’ meaning ‘we have decided to remain here,’ and that was how the name Ikwerre came to be.”
Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by Senator Andrew Uchendu, urged the Ikwerre people to be proud of who they are, stressing the roles politicians can play in preserving the Ikwerre history.
The former Minister of Transportation said, “Ikwerre people should tell who they are and ignore all the stories being written about them. We will tell our story. Those who will play politics in Ikwerre land will project the image of the Ikwerre wherever they find themselves.”
Commenting on a statement allegedly made by Amaechi while canvassing support to become Nigeria’s President that he is an Igbo man, Uchendu said, “If he (Amaechi) were to be here, then he would have been in a better position to explain that.
“He didn’t tell me to come and defend what he has said and what he hasn’t said before I came in for this programme.”
The book reviewer, former General Manager of Atlantic Television, Port Harcourt, Bon Woke, described the book as a guide for Ikwerre people to know their roots, insisting that language is not all it takes to determine a people’s origin.
He enthused, “This book is a reminder that Ikwerre is a distinct ethnic group and Ikwerre has a root, an identity, and a history which is authenticated by its oral tradition, handed down from generation to generation.
“So no modern person can come today and begin to interpret Ikwerre history with modern mentality because of what they see today. Language is not the only yardstick for you to determine the ethnicity of a people, because anybody can speak any language he likes.”
Advising the youths against being influenced or swayed by self-seeking politicians, Woke called on Ikwerre leaders and elders to take steps to educate the younger generation on their history, culture and language.
South-South PUNCH reports that other dignitaries who graced the event were the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization, Worldwide, Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwa; royal father of the day, Prof. Charles Obunwor,l; Chief Magistrate E. C Woke, Dr Sam Emejuru, Dr Stella Elechi, Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Prof. Aaron Ojule, among others. “So no modern person can come today and begin to interpret Ikwerre history with modern mentality because of what they see today. Language is not the only yardstick for you to determine the ethnicity of a people, because anybody can speak any language he likes.”
Advising the youths against being influenced or swayed by self-seeking politicians, Woke called on Ikwerre leaders and elders to take steps to educate the younger generation on their history, culture and language.
South-South PUNCH reports that other dignitaries who graced the event were the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization, Worldwide, Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwa; royal father of the day, Prof. Charles Obunwor,l; Chief Magistrate E. C Woke, Dr. Sam Emejuru, Dr. Stella Elechi, Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Prof. Aaron Ojule, among others.