- Emeka Esogbue
When they forget, we historians don't. From the minor to major events,
we, historians take and preserve these records. We keep history for man
to learn lessons from it.
Today, January 8, marks the beginning of Ekumeku Movement in Aniomaland in which the Anioma people carried out series of anti-colonial revolts to resist colonialism in their territories.
The first phase of the war sparked off between Ibusa and the Royal Niger Company forces, an expansionist arm of the British on January 8, 1883.
In the report of Lietenant Festing (Royal Irish Riffles) who commanded the military expedition to Major Arnold (D.S.O), Commander Royal Niger Constabulary, Lokoja, he wrote:
"Sir, I have the honour to submit the following summary of the recent Punitive Expedition under my command .... Following out the arrangements already made by your yourself, I landed with the following force at Asaba on the 8th of January 1898 6am with a view to marching on Ibouza and surprise and destroy that town.
Myself in command; Captain Lewis, Imperial Force; P.M.O Craster; Lietenant and Adjutant Burdon: Lieutenant Parker, Brodie, Englebach and Tighe; 202 Rank and File, Royal Niger Constabulary; 134 Carriers; 2 7pdr. guns; 1 Maxim gun ... Ibouza was altogether entered four times - three times from Asaba 8th, 10th and 15th January ..."
Although Ekumeku started in 1883, the Movement itself with which the Anioma people started to resist the instrument of colonialism started with the Ibusa comminity confronting the imperialists. Issele-Uku was occupied on February 10, 1896 almost without a fight with the British as Obi Egbune willingly gave out the Kingdom to the British.
In subsequent reports of the British, they praised him and blamed other Ekumeku heroes who now turned their confrontations towards him.
I hope the Anioma nation takes this anniversary with seriousness and put up remarkable events to continually mark it starting from next year. The Ibusa people should especially find this event memorable and take a day or more to the community invasion since events of this magnitude are never lost to history. If the British forget their evils, we should not forget our people that died, wounded, maimed or exiled by the imperialists.
In memory of:
Chidi Nwaoji of Ibusa
Agbamu Oshue of Ibusa
Unegwu Eze Alume of Ubulu-Uku
Nwabueze Iyogolo of Ogwashi-Uku
Awunor Ugbo of Akumazi
Dunkwu Isusu of Onicha Olona
Onyejechi Ogbe of Idumuje Kingdom
Idaibo Oma of Issele Azagba
They fought and defended the Anioma nation.
Series of lectures could just do it. This is surely a worthwhile initiative!
Today, January 8, marks the beginning of Ekumeku Movement in Aniomaland in which the Anioma people carried out series of anti-colonial revolts to resist colonialism in their territories.
The first phase of the war sparked off between Ibusa and the Royal Niger Company forces, an expansionist arm of the British on January 8, 1883.
In the report of Lietenant Festing (Royal Irish Riffles) who commanded the military expedition to Major Arnold (D.S.O), Commander Royal Niger Constabulary, Lokoja, he wrote:
"Sir, I have the honour to submit the following summary of the recent Punitive Expedition under my command .... Following out the arrangements already made by your yourself, I landed with the following force at Asaba on the 8th of January 1898 6am with a view to marching on Ibouza and surprise and destroy that town.
Myself in command; Captain Lewis, Imperial Force; P.M.O Craster; Lietenant and Adjutant Burdon: Lieutenant Parker, Brodie, Englebach and Tighe; 202 Rank and File, Royal Niger Constabulary; 134 Carriers; 2 7pdr. guns; 1 Maxim gun ... Ibouza was altogether entered four times - three times from Asaba 8th, 10th and 15th January ..."
Although Ekumeku started in 1883, the Movement itself with which the Anioma people started to resist the instrument of colonialism started with the Ibusa comminity confronting the imperialists. Issele-Uku was occupied on February 10, 1896 almost without a fight with the British as Obi Egbune willingly gave out the Kingdom to the British.
In subsequent reports of the British, they praised him and blamed other Ekumeku heroes who now turned their confrontations towards him.
I hope the Anioma nation takes this anniversary with seriousness and put up remarkable events to continually mark it starting from next year. The Ibusa people should especially find this event memorable and take a day or more to the community invasion since events of this magnitude are never lost to history. If the British forget their evils, we should not forget our people that died, wounded, maimed or exiled by the imperialists.
In memory of:
Chidi Nwaoji of Ibusa
Agbamu Oshue of Ibusa
Unegwu Eze Alume of Ubulu-Uku
Nwabueze Iyogolo of Ogwashi-Uku
Awunor Ugbo of Akumazi
Dunkwu Isusu of Onicha Olona
Onyejechi Ogbe of Idumuje Kingdom
Idaibo Oma of Issele Azagba
They fought and defended the Anioma nation.
Series of lectures could just do it. This is surely a worthwhile initiative!
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