Draft:Anyama-Ogbia

Anyama Town, also known as Anyama-Ogbia, or Kingdom of Anyama-Ogbia, has its origins dating back to 1655, when it was founded by Âɗēh, a prosperous migrant trader and fisherman, who initially settled in what is now recognized as Anyama-Ogbia. Initially called Otu-Egbesu, meaning 'home of Egbesu,' the town's initial name reflected its connection to its traditional deity, Egbesu, revered by the Ijaw people as a deity of war, holding significant cultural importance for Anyama Town and the broader Ijaw community.

Located within the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, nestled in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, Anyama Town serves as the administrative centre for the Anyama Clan, one of the four clans constituting the Ogbia Kingdom. According to INEC's 2023 voting data, Anyama-Ogbia is estimated to have a population of 4,970.

It's noteworthy that Bayelsa State is home to two towns named Anyama: Anyama-Ogbia in the Ogbia Local Government Area and Anyama-Ijaw in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Both communities are part of the Ijaw tribe, with Anyama-Ogbia predominantly using the Ogbia language, while Anyama-Ijaw primarily communicates in Central Ijaw. This article exclusively explores Anyama-Ogbia

History
Anyama town in Ogbia was founded in 1655 by Âɗēh (pronounced Ādî or Ad-deh), a wealthy migrant trader and fisherman who first settled in what is now known as Anyama town. Initially called Otu-Egbesu, meaning ‘home of Egbesu,’ the town’s traditional deity. Egbesu, is revered by the Ijaw people as a deity of war and holds significant importance for Anyama.

Over time, Anyama Town grew rapidly into a thriving fishing and trading settlement, becoming a hub for palm oil, fish, and seafood trading. Âɗēh became the first community chief or traditional ruler of Anyama Town, establishing the first line of the Obi-Âɗēh Royal Dynasty, which continues to be the town’s royal lineage.

Under King Âɗēh’s leadership, Anyama Community prospered, trading sea foods, palm oil, cassava, yam, cocoyam, rice, vegetables, meat, and other farm produce. They engaged in trade with other Ijaw communities and travelers from various tribes, including Europeans. Although they briefly participated in the slave trade, buying Igbo slaves from the Onitsha route, as a means to show wealth and status, however, this practice was short-lived in Anyama.

Âɗēh’s son, Ekpor, succeeded him as Obenema (community chief or traditional king) and expanded trade to the east and far south using sea routes. Ekpor named his son Obi after a friend he met on one of his trading journeys to the east. It is said that Ekpor lived to be around 138 years old, making him the longest-living person in Anyama Community, earning the title “dume-dume-nekpala,” meaning a person who continuously adds a year to his life. He lived to see his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. However, his life ended tragically when community members, believing he had lived too long, conspired to end his life by placing him in an anthill. Before his death, Ekpor cursed the community, saying no one would ever live to his age again.

Ekpor’s son, Obi Ekpor fathered 25 children. Among those children were Samuel Okori Obi, Stanley Obi, and Julius Obi. From these children, five royal houses of the Obi-Âɗēh royal dynasty eventually emerged, thus continuing the royal lineage. These royal houses include the House of Ekpor, House of Okori, House of Jokori, House of Âɗēh, and House of Obi. The names Okori and Obi in Anyama-Ogbia mean “to be settled in favor” and  “a king’s house,” respectively.

As Obenema, Obi, also known as “obi-te-ekpor” (Obi, son of Ekpor), led Anyama Town into a prosperous era. Samuel Okori Obi, his son, continued this legacy, expanding the town’s wealth and trade routes. His Royal Highness, Samuel Okori Obi, earned titles such as “ekpor-na-mobi-ozo (I),” meaning someone from the house of kings, and “odidia-mar-akwe (I),” meaning the pillar of the family or an indestructible pillar. He was nicknamed “money man” due to his significant wealth.

Members of the Obi-Âɗēh Royal Family have relatives in various communities, like the Eleibiri family in Nembe, and the Eruani family in Brass, and also within the Anyama Clan. Notable members include HRH Chief (Engr) Okori Obana Christopher, [ekpor-na-mobi-ozo (II)], a prince from the Royal House of Okori, who became the Obenema of Epebu Community, under the House of Apiri, his matrilineal house. Another notable member is HRH Rev. Lawrence Samuel Okori, a former Chairman of the Anyama Rural Development Authority, a government agency popularly called Anyama Local Government. Others have held various government offices and emerged as community chiefs in several other communities within the clan.

Economy
The vibrant community of Anyama persists in its trading activities, specializing in a diverse array of seafood such as fish, prawns, and crab, alongside the cultivation and sale of palm oil and various agricultural produce. This enduring tradition reflects the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit ingrained within the fabric of Anyama’s cultural and economic landscape.

Environmental Issues
Anyama Town is faced with several environmental issues including flooding, erosion and gas flaring. These issues affect not just Anyama Community but several other communities within the Anyama clan.

Building and other infrastructure has been washed away. Coastal erosion is a huge problem. The erosion has brought about untold hardship. Over 500 houses have been washed away over the years. A new settlement was formed because the old original Anyama has almost been eroded away. People have moved out to other places because of fear of coastal erosion.

The erosion has washed away houses, economic trees and vital government establishments earlier cited in Anyama-Ogbia. Pubic property lost to the coastal erosion includes a government courtyard established around 1935, St. James Anglican Church established around 1910, two rice mills established around 1977 a primary school, three jetties, the general post office established around 1935 and a police station, while an old oil mill established around 1955 is on the verge been washed away.

Anyama Clan
The Anyama Clan, one of the constituent parts of the Ogbia Kingdom, is famed for its abundant crude oil reserves, attracting numerous international oil companies to its communities. Governed by traditional monarchy under the leadership of His Royal Majesty King Omie Theophilus, the Obanobhan of Anyama Clan, the clan faces a host of challenges jeopardizing its stability and prosperity

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Among these challenges are environmental issues such as flooding, coastal erosion, and gas flaring, which disrupt the lives of residents. Coastal erosion, especially, has resulted in the destruction of homes and vital infrastructure, necessitating the relocation of many and the establishment of new settlements.

Furthermore, the Anyama Clan grapples with security threats posed by sea pirates, compounding the hardships faced by its communities and posing risks to both residents' safety and economic stability.

Addressing these complex issues requires collaborative efforts from stakeholders. Strategic partnerships with the leadership of all 17 communities within the clan, the Ogbia Local Government Council, Anyama Rural Development Authority, Bayelsa State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, and local and international non-profit organizations are essential. Proactive measures must be taken to confront these challenges and safeguard the well-being and stability of the Anyama Clan. Through concerted efforts and effective collaboration, solutions can be found to these urgent issues, paving the way for a brighter future for the clan's residents.

The 17 Communities that make up Anyama Clan are; Anyama Clan has produced notable people including:


 * HRH The Honourable (Chief) Justice- Emmanuel Joel Igoniwari, Obanobhan-Elect of Ogbia Kingdom and former Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, who passed on in 2007. He hailed from Otuedu Community in Anyama Clan.
 * Billionaire industrialist, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless CFR, son of late King Alwell Eruani, Obanema of Emadike, Aguda the IX. He is former Commissioner of Health for Bayelsa State and Chairman of Azikiel Group, His matrilineal lineage can be traced to the House of Okori in Anyama-Ogbia and House of Apiri in Epebu Community.
 * Rev. Lawrence Okori, former Chairman of Anyama Rural Development Authority, (popularly known as Anyama Local Government) who paternally hails from the House of Okori in Anyama-Ogbia. His matrilineal lineage can be traced to the House of Apiri in Epebu Community.
 * Hon. Munalayefa Gibson, a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who hails from Epebu Community
 * Hon. Robert Enogha Ayalla, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Chairman of Ayalla Hotels Limited, who hails from Orkiki Community.
 * HRH Late Paul I. Nathan, Obanobhan of Anyama Clan and Acting Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom