IBANI (BONNY) & OPOBO IBE

IBANI (BONNY) & OPOBO IBE: The Ibani and Opobo are in present day Rivers State. The Ibani took their name from Kala-Beni (Ibeni) corrupted to Ibani. The founding ancestors of the Ibani (Ibeni or Beni the original name) came from the central delta clan of Kolokuma, specifically the Isedani lineage of Kolokuma who had founded Okoloba. The traditions say that they left Kolokuma because of civil conflict. Although the exact time of the conflict is unknown, we can place the movement out of Kolokuma between 13th and 15th century CE (AD). The leaders of the migration were Opuamakuba, his brother Kala-Beni (Alagbariye or Alagba-ari-gha) and Asikunuma alias Okpara Asimini. Leading the families northwards, they first settled in the now Ndoki territory where they encamped for some time (prince Edimini the great grandson of Opuamakuba was born here). They moved from the Ndoki area, but left behind some of their people, these inter-married with the southern Ibo and gave birth to the Ndoki people founding among others villages such as Okolomakiri, Ayama, Osobie and Oruama or Azuogu. The ancestors then settled in the now Ogoni area and encamped at a site where Opuoko town now stands (thus the name Opu-Oko. from that place a village called Kala-Oko was founded).

Kala-Beni being a hunter went hunting one day and came across the site of Bonny town where he saw many birds. He returned to report to Opuamakuba that there was good land to settle on further south. Opuamakuba then made the decision to leave the main land, first to Orubiri (Orupiri) where Opuamakuba died. Kala-Beni then lead the group to the site of Bonny town which they named Okoloama. It was also called Okoloba (after the Okoloba which they came from). Kala-Beni became the founder, and the whole group were subsequently called the people of Ibeni (Beni), which was corrupted to Ibani. Kala-Beni also established a shrine dedicated to Opuamakuba called Kala-Ikuba. The first crowned ruler was one Asimini, followed by a succession of rulers called Amayanabo (Amananabo in the western delta).

The City State, which was to become known as Grand Bonny, was made up of the following towns and villages. Okoloma (Bonny town), Finima, Ayama (old settlement of the Andoni), Kalaibiama, Abalamabie, Ayambo, Asaramatoru, (old Asarama of the Andoni), Epelematubu, Oboma, Kuruma, Epelema, Oloma, Ayamina and lastly Orubiri (i.e. Orupiri the first settlement). In 1867-70 a civil war at Bonny resulted in the foundation of Opobo. Led by one Alabo Jack Jaja of the house of Opubo they migrated and Jaja became their king.