The origin of the people of Onopa in Atissa kingdom of Bayelsa state in Nigeria is not very definite.The Onopa people belong to a different ethnic nationality.They have linguistic affinity with the Izon people. Mr. P.A Talbot in his book titled “Tribes of the Niger Delta” classified Onopa to have migrated from ISOKO Clan,some of which trace their origin to Benin Kingdom.
Oral tradition about the origin of Onopa people all speak of common descent from the Old Benin Kingdom which claimed to have migrated from Benin.They probably migrated through the Isoko land,crossed the River Niger and drifted into the Nun River where they landed at the a place called Ikibiri Town,in the present Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Ikibiri is among the 6 communities that make up the Ekpetiama clan.As already explained they speak a language which is similar to the Isoko and Edo language.
There were so many compounds that sprang up from Ikibiri namely:
- Oboro
- Aguadama Ekpetiama
- Onopa
- Akaranbiri( In Opokuna clan)
- Okpokunu (In Delta state)
According to Oral history,Ikibiri first place of settlement was at a place called Asamabou, a narrow creek to the River Nun. Here they were known as OGBO community.Her war title at this first settlement was OPUNBIRI.
Ikibiri community were with war with all her neighbors trying to expand her territory.They would come out of the Asamabou creek to attack traders,fishermen at night. Unfortunately,they attacked a Royal Niger Company boat and collected all the goods that were in the boat,an attack which led to many dead including a whiteman.
An attack on Ikibiri town was therefore planned at Akassa the headquarters of the Royal Niger Company.Finally,Ikibiri was invaded and they had to run for safety to different directions.
Two brothers named DOU and ELEBE ran with their families to the north and settled at a point on the Epie creek,precisely where the Federal Medical Center Theater Room in Yenagoa is situated.They felt that they were too close to the river and moved North into the bush and settled at the present Peace Park, up to Royal House of Grace International church.Here,they called the new site OGUEDI. There was a small stream from here to the Onopa bridge out to the Epie creek.Due to lack of water during the dry season,they met the Paramount Ruler of Ovom,Chief Twetweku Owegere seeking for permission to allow them settle at the water front.This appeal was approved on consultation with his people.The giving out of the present land occupied by Onopa Community was quickly approved because Ovom community was also a victim of the Royal Niger Company attack on all communities along the Nun river that settled with Ikibiri town. Ovom ran from Aguobiri to her present settlement before the arrival of Onopa.
History has it that on arrival of the Onopa people to the present site,there was a village opposite her.This was the first Epie village called Yenizue. It was also referred to as Kala-Yenizue,which means (small).
Dou and Elebe merged with Kala-Yenizue or sometime reffered to as Yenidibemo which means a compound with very few persons.Their number was reduced by a communicable disease called small- pox.As time passed by ,the few members of the group moved to their maternal houses at the present Yenizue-Epie and Yenizue-Gene (Members of Egbo’s Family).
TRADITIONAL RULERS
| EBENEKEN (Paramount Rulers) | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Baraberem Lebe | Paramount Ruler | |
| Chief Aputu Olei | ||
| Chief Isaiah Aputu | ||
| Chief Macauley Saife Tamama | Paramount Ruler | |
| Chief Tobi James Egba | Care-taker | |
| Chief Stanley Osain Bunas | Paramount Ruler | |
| Chief Bruce Jackson Esegi | Care-taker | |
| Chief Giame Peter Clement | Paramount Ruler | |
| Chief Clinton Egba | Paramount Ruler | |
| Chief Morris Tamama | 2018 (Present) | Paramount Ruler |
Little has been known about traditional rulers in Onopa on the arrival of Dou and Elebe. However,the following are some of the chiefs that has piloted the affairs of Onopa Community to date.
- Chief Tukputis 89yrs
- Chief Kokolo 79yrs
- Chief Oduoye 87yrs
- Chief Sieyebah 92yrs
- Chief Aputu Olei 95yrs
- Chief Isaiah Esegi died 1965 (80yrs)
- Chief Macauley Saife Tamama 1974-1985
- Chief Stanley Bunas 1994-2004
- Chief Giame Peter Clement
- Chief Clinton Egba
- Chief Morris Tamama (Present)
WRESTLING CHAMPIONS
The following are some of the wrestling champions that has projected the image of the Onopa community as it affects Free Style Traditional Wrestling.
- Onyunku
- Ogbara
- Oduoye
- Diriberizuah
- Kimiboweri
- Bennagha
- Papolodugba
- Wilfred Obele Oduoye
- Johnbull Papolodugba.
DIVINATION IN ONOPA COMMUNITY
There are three (3) kingdoms namely- Epie kingdom,Atissa kingdom and Engenni Kingdom that speak a similar and common language.These three (3) groups do not have a common deity.
According to Dr.Sunday A Fefegha in his book titled "Divination In The Niger Delta" with reference to Epie/Atissa,page 6, the people of Atissa which include Onopa worshiped INIBUDU their ancestors who were generally believed to help to keep law and order,and that lawlessness,immorality especially adultery among women, fornication, stealing, harmful medicine among native doctors to persons charming and incest attract punishment from the Inibudu. The Inibudu are strongly believed by the people as “The living Dead”, that is, ancestors that are dead but their spirit lives with us in their respective communities to right the wrong done to brothers,children,relatives,neighbors and families.
SHRINES
Major shrines do exist in the community. They are
- Agba shrine.
- Osisi-igwe –This was brought to the community from Arochukwu town in Imo state of Nigeria by our forefathers.
- Apata okutukutu shrine.
According to the belief of the people,each of these shrines plays its own role. Apata shrine is responsible for hiding warriors on the event of crises or inter communal conflict ,the Osisi-igwe shrine/agba is responsible for quick sighting of her enemies and shooting without missing,this Osisi/igwe was believed to have eradicated communicable disease e.g Small-pox,chicken pox,typhoid from the community.
CHRISTAIN ACTIVITIES IN ONOPA COMMUNITY.
Onopa community witnessed several changes during the colonial period.It is worthy to emphasized that Christianity followed colonialism and this led to the discouragement of Paganism or Idol worship in the community.However,both forms of worship has co-existed,with Christianity taking a higher percentage to this day.Primary and Secondary school were opened by missionaries and people started learning western literacy education.The changes caused by the effects of Christianity in the community was enormous.
The Christian missionaries that brought Christianity to Atissa belong to the Church Missionary Society (CMS).The Roman Catholic church and Baptism church missionaries also opened churches.However, the impact created by the Roman Catholic Mission by establishing the St.Mathias Catholic Church in Amarata community is highly commendable.The St. Joseph catholic church Onopa was then founded in 1970 as a branch to St Mathias catholic church.The St Mathias catholic church established a primary school at Amarata community.It was this school that most of the boys and girls in Onopa had an opportunity to attend.
Scholarship were awarded to pupils of both schools by the catholic mission. In 1962,the catholic mission established a secondary school at Amarata,only for boys.The secondary school procedure for admission was simple.Many Catholics believers then were able to attend the school until the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil war which started on 30th May 1967 and lasted up to 30 months.
Few boys who got admission into this school include Elder Wellington Jeremiah (JP) on the 25th January 1966 and Mr Darling Agaladuma Joseph.
Presently, a lot of churches has been established in Onopa. Some notable ones are:
- Cherubim & seraphim church Onopa
- Assemblies of God church, Onopa.
- Royal House Of Grace
- Greater Evangelical World Crusade
- Mountain of Fire Ministry International
- St Joseph catholic church.
- His Grace Ambassadors Fountain Ministry International.
All these churches has created a strong impact in the belief of the people and many traditional practice has changed greatly
MONUMENTAL HOUSES
Two (2) monumental houses in the community. One built by late chief Saife Tamama which still stands till date, though in dilapidated form and that which was built by late chief Okuragha Onyunku in 1822 collapsed in 1945.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL,STATE AND CUSTOMARY COURT
CUSTOMARY COURT
According to chief N.K Yakie in his book titled “The Epie/Atissa People” on page 46,emphasized that the credit for making the British Colonial offices to find out the true identity of Epie/Atissa people and for establishing a native court at Onopa goes to late Chief Moses Odungba Agbehikia, the then Paramount Ruler of Amarata Community.He mobilized the Paramount rulers of the two clans and wrote two strong worded petitions addressed to the Resident at Warri in Delta State,Nigeria while the second one was sent to Mr. John Ashley, the District Officer at Brass. Both petitions were written on the 28th May 1927.
The approval for the establishment of the court was not given until 1935 when Mr. A.F.F. P Newns finally visited the area and discovered that the Eipe/Atiisa people speak a distinct language from those of the Izon neighbours. Perhaps interpreters will be needed like the court in Sabagriea.
The Onopa Native was finally established in 1936 with Mr Jackson Akin Ogilogi of Yenagoa Town as the First Court Clerk. To show that the court belongs to both Epie and Atissa clans,Late Chief Moses Odungba directed that the court office be built at Onopa community while the staff quarters be built at Amarata community in Epie land.Late chief Moses Odungba Agbalikia was a patriot,leader and nationalist of Epie/Atissa ethnic nationality. May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord,Amen.
ONOPA HIGH COURT
On the creation of Bayelsa state on the 1st October 1996,two(2) military administrators were posted to Yenagoa the state capital. The first was Navy captain Ayeni, he was transferred and Navy captain Caleb Olubolade from Ekiti state replaced him. In one of his tours, he discovered that there already exist a Customary court at Onopa. He therefore concluded that there is the need for the establishment of a high court along the Yenagoa/Mbiama road at Onopa. Secondly, there was an existing land dispute between two (2) personalities on the parcel of land where the court was to be sited. He did not waste any moment to mobilize government financial resources to commence the clearing and execution of the High Court project which now in use.
FEDERAL HIGH COURT
Between the State High Court and the Onopa Bridge there was a piece of land that was owned by three (3) persons. This piece of land was turned into a slum by the influx of people coming into the state. it houses the urban dispossessed, who could not afford the rooftop rent of basic accommodation in one of Nigeria‘s most expensive cities. When the fire raged on Sunday night, it was unforgiving; nothing was spared because there are no roads in or out of this shanty settlement many call their home. There wereno brick houses, only makeshift corrugated iron contraptions dominated the settlement. Over 50 families lost all their possessions, while businesses that thrived in slums, such as beer parlors, local chemist shops, neighborhood business centers and shops, were consumed by the inferno.
The Onopa tragedy was bound to happen and when it did, it left sorrow, tears and more tears, just about three weeks to Christmas in the year 2010. Three people died in the inferno that was blamed on sparks from a power generator and adulterated fuel. Among the victims of the fire were heavily pregnant Mrs. Benita Olotu and her three-year-old son, Paul. Both died in their room probably as a result of inhaling polluted smoke. They were burnt to ashes.
Bayelsa State Government inspected the area, paid compensation to the landlords, the affected victims and took over this piece of land. This incident happened during the tenure of Hon Timipre Sylva, the then Executive Governor of Bayelsa state.
When Hon Seriake Dickson took over the mantle of leadership of the State as an Executive Governor, the site was donated to the Federal Government for the construction of Federal Court of Appeal. Work on this project is ongoing.
WOMEN LEADERS
WOMEN LEADERS
The following women leaders have piloted the affairs of the community for the smoothing administration of the town.
- Late chief Mrs. Ayou Isaiah Esegi
- Late chief Mrs. Lora Otoro
- Chief Mrs. Dorathy Obele Bunas
- Chief Mrs. Ebikeniye Monovie Nelson- Present leader
INCEST AND ADULTERY
According to chief N.K Yakie in his book titled “The Epie/Atissa People, A Historical Survey (2010) page 21. Incest and Adultery were regarded as a very serious offence. Those found guilty of incest in particular were tabooed or ostracized from the society until they had cleansed themselves by performing certain sacrifices to appease the gods of the land.
Marriage between close relatives are avoided which might lead to exogamy in some cases. When a marriage has been contracted, the wife is expected to be faithful to her husband throughout the duration of the marriage. If she commits adultery, she could be divorced by the husband.
PAST SECRETARIES
The office of the Town Secretary/Public Information Officer (PIO) provides support, facilitates and strengthens the Town Council governmental process
The office of the Town Secretary/Public Information Officer (PIO) provides support, facilitates and strengthens the Town Council governmental process .Below are names of our community past and present Secretaries.Below are names of our community past and present Secretaries.
PAST SECRETARIES
The office of the Town Secretary/Public Information Officer (PIO) provides support, facilitates and strengthens the Town Council governmental process
The office of the Town Secretary/Public Information Officer (PIO) provides support, facilitates and strengthens the Town Council governmental process .Below are names of our community past and present Secretaries.Below are names of our community past and present Secretaries.
- Elder Wellington Jeremiah
- Mr Esuevie James Tamama
- Mr Felix Obele
