Ijaghala Community pledges full allegiance to Gbaramatu kingdom

The Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) Community in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State has officially declared its allegiance to the Gbaramatu Kingdom, debunking claims of affiliation with Itsekiri communities.

The position was made known on Friday during a press briefing signed by community leaders, Chief Sam Eyengho, the Tieyemienwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Mr. Sunday Akpa Fundlire Akpafundlire, Mr. Wilson Abeson, Youth President, Mrs Grace Remere Mofe, Mrs Dolor Utseoritselaju, Mr. Ebi Jolomi, and Mrs Mary Dsangbajumi at Egbegha Town Hall of Ijaghala.

They explained that most of them speak Itsekiri because their ancestral mother was Itsekiri.

However, the community pledged loyalty to His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaram II, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Full statement below:

"We, the undersigned for ourselves and on behalf of the entire people of Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, wish to address the press in respect of an age-long misrepresentation of Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community as an Ugborodo Community instead of a Community that originated from Gbaramatu Kingdom which was founded by our ancestor at about the 11th century.

"Ijaghala used to be a fishing and palm wine tapping camp of Gbaramatu forebears before Egbegha was born and prior to the existence of Ugborodo. It has been called Zou-Ala Uba because of the distance from the entrance to other adjoining creeks and creeklets.

"Oweizibiri, the father of Egbegha had earlier settled with other Ijaw indigenes in Amadino (Omadino) before he left his kinsmen to settle in Ikantu. After several years, Egbegha relocated from Ikantu to Oporoza from where he moved to Zou-Ala Uba and lived permanently. Despite the fact that so many great men of Gbaramatu Kingdom had lived in Zou-Ala Uba and engaged in their natural occupation of fishing, hunting. and palm wine tapping, Egbegha's permanent stay in Zou-Ala Uba, made him known as the founder of the community. He died as an old man and was buried in Oporoza, the Traditional Headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

"After Egbegha had settled at his new found community, he took a wife from Ugborodo by name Erigbawewenimara and the marriage had two children namely Egogo and Asako. While growing up these children were more closed to their Ugborodo mother who spoke Itsekiri dialect with them. In turn, Egogo also married Itsekiri women and brought them to Ijagbala (Zou-Ala Uba). Egogo through his marriage gave birth to a number of children, who also spoke Itsekiri dialect. This is
how the Itsekiri dialect became spoken by some of Ijaghala people and thus the community became affiliated to Itsekiri ethnic group.

"From the above, without mincing words Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) is an Ijaw community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State. The general Public, Local government, Federal government and the International community should take note that ljaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community in Gbaramatu Kingdom is an Ijaw community and is never, was never and will never be part of Itsekiri ethnic nationality. This press conference is in tandem with our earlier publication made by tjaghala elders about the history of Ijaghala people published (Sunday Vanguard Page 20, November 2, 2008).

"To our greatest dismay, some of the descendants of Egbegha and Egogo still engage in alienating their paternal ancestral Gbaramatu land to their maternal Ugborodo Community. We strongly condemn the attitudes of these persons which has been causing problems among our kiths and kin in Oporoza community, Gbaramatu Kingdom and the larger Ijaw nation.

"From the foregoing, we want to categorically state and inform the general public, local, state, and federal governments and the international community that Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community having an ancestral lineage with Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State and will continue to affirm and remain in the traditional institution of Gbaramatu kingdom. Finally, we hereby pledge our loyalty and allegiance to His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaram II, (JP) Aketekpe, Agadagba, The Pere of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom.

"Thank you and God bless.

"Long live Ijoghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community

"Long live Gbaramatu Kingdom

"Long live Delta State

"Long live Nigeria." Statement added