Ogu–Bolo (also spelled Ogu/Bolo) is a local government area (LGA) in Rivers State, Nigeria with headquarters in the town of Ogu. It is located on the Eastern Niger Delta.
Ogu/Bolo | |
|---|---|
| Nickname: Ogu Apu Tonye Mie | |
| Motto(s): Unity, Service and Development | |
  Ogu/Bolo  Ogu/Bolo | |
| Coordinates: 4°39′2″N 7°10′59″E / 4.65056°N 7.18306°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Rivers State |
| Date created | 1 October 1996 |
| Seat | Ogu |
| Government | |
| • Local Government Chairman | Nemieboka Vincent (PDP) |
| • Deputy Local Government Chairman | Eunice Alabo (PDP) |
| • Local Government Council | Ward 1: Ajumbo Amiso (PDP) Ward 2: Fyneface Tamunoisikike (PDP) Ward 3: Tokunengiye Harold (PDP) Ward 4: Mark Daso Nemieboka (PDP) Ward 5: Tamunodikibalafa Ibiofori (PDP) Ward 6: Omiebi N. Evans (PDP) Ward 7: Meek Lawson Omiebi (PDP) Ward 8: Boma Igah (PDP) Ward 9: Alpheus Abika (PDP) Ward 10: Ms. Daddie Praise Esenamie (PDP) Ward 11: Thompson Oguama (PDP) Ward 12: Iwaritaribi Gift Wilfred (PDP) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 34 sq mi (89 km2) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
 | |
It has an area of 89 km2 (34 sq mi) and a population of 74,683 as of the 2006 census. Most people living in the region are of Ogu–Bolo heritage.
Postal codes for the area begin with 500.[1]
Geography edit
Ogu/Bolo is neighboured by Eleme LGA in the west, Tai LGA in the north, Bonny LGA, Wakama Ama and Bolo communities in the south, and Okrika LGA in the southwest.
Ogu/Bolo LGA consists of the districts of Bolo, Ele, Ogu, and Wakama, along with many other communities such as Adiai-Obiofu, Agwe, Amuajie, Ase-Imonita, Ase-Azaga, Isara, and others.[2] Nearby cities and villages include Tai, Gokana, and Okrika. Neighbouring communities in other LGAs include: Sime, Barale, Barayira, Norkpo, and Nonwa in Tai LGA; Eteo and Onne in Eleme LGA; and Mgbemgbe Boko in Okrika LGA.[3]
The region can be accessed by sea or land. It has well over 50 satellite villages and fishing settlements which can be reached from the sea by Ogu Creek and the Bonny River.[3] These include:
- Abereniboye Kiri
- Ada Ama I
- Ada Ama II
- Adokiye kiri
- Adolphus Nemieboka Kiri
- Adufe Ama
- Afaka Ama
- Agakien Ama
- Agakien Kiri
- Amabara Ama
- Anigoboka Ama
- Apanatibo Kiri
- Atubonacheofoin-a Ama
- Brown Ama
- Bumo Kiri
- Chuku Ama
- Chuku Ama II
- Daso Ama
- Febie Ama
- Fombo Ama
- Fulobele Kiri
- Gream Kiri
- Ibiebele Kiri
- Ibiorika Kiri
- Ichi Kiri
- Igafe Ama
- Igbikiyemieari Ama
- Ikikafipiri Ama
- Ikpokiri I
- Ikpokiri II
- Ikpokiri III (wharf)
- Ilanga/Yikabo Ama
- IpiangbafibumoKiri
- Iwomabie Ama
- Kulo Kiri
- Mbi Kiri
- Mgbemgbeboko (Fubara Kiri)
- Nemieboka Ama
- New Ogu (Kporo Ama)
- Niniapukiri
- Nyanabo Ama
- Odo Kiri
- Ogobo Ama
- Ogonotoru Ama
- Ogugu-Chuku Ama
- Ogweinbie Ama
- Olobulo Ama
- Olomusoko Ama
- Omodarani Ama
- Orabere Kiri
- Orubie Ama
- Otobipi Kiri
- Owuapuigbiki Kiri
- Owugono
- Owukiri Ama
- Owupele Ama
- Piri Ama
- Sani Kiri
- Semenibipi/Iyo Kiri
- Siere Ama
- Tamuno Ama (Ofunguru Ama)
- Tende Ama
- Tendefe Ama
- Tombikuku
- Tububie Ama
- Yikabo Kiri
- Yude Ama
Culture edit
The Ogu/Bolo people have a distinctive and diverse culture, showcased in their festivals, cultural attire, and food. Important traditions in the culture of Ogu/Bolo people are the Iria puberty and marriage ceremonies,[4] wrestling, traditional plays, burial rites, installation of chiefs, traditional rulers' ceremonies, and rites connected with day-to-day life.
Masquerades play a particularly important culture role. Some are colourful with make-ups or paraphernalia, and are a common sight throughout communities, especially during festive occasions. These performances are either religious, historical, or the personifications of legends, and are accompanied by song, music, and dance. Musical instruments used include pots and drums, wooden gongs, horns, and xylophones. All these are made locally[citation needed] by experts with an ancient tradition behind their craftsmanship.
Carving of masks and ceremonial canoes is a revered art, having matured in style and quality over generations. Gradually, the purely functional forms of these carvings were given new dimension and refinement which reflected a sense of aesthetic values.
The dances, plays, and masquerades depict the religious, social, and working life of the people. In turn, the life of the people has been greatly influenced by their culture. Thus, a spiritually ennobling circle has been set up. The Ogu man's (Okrika-Ijaw)[5] confidence, his love of truth, fair-play, and wholesome dealings can all be traced to the influence of his unique cultural heritage.[6][peacock prose]
Trade and commerce edit
Fishing and peasant farming are the main economic activities of Ogu/Bolo communities. Trading is principally done within the contiguous communities of Tai, Eleme, Bonny, and Andoni.[7] The introduction of "legitimate" trade[clarification needed] by Europeans in the mid-20th century increased the volume of commercial activities in Ogu.[8]
Religious activities edit
Christianity and Western education were introduced by missionaries[when?]. The magnificent St. Martins’ Anglican Church in Ogu was completed in 1966. Even today, the church stands, not only as a marvelous architectural edifice, but also as a monumental and durable evidence of a peoples’ ancient devotion to progressive thought and action.[peacock prose]
In 1973, the first post-primary school in Ogu/Bolo LGA was established: Government Secondary School, Ogu. For many years, this college remained distinguished from others by its priority. By the mid-1970's, Ogu had a modern hospital, good drinking water, and tarred roads.[9]
References edit
- ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
- ^ "Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area". www.finelib.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ a b Tide, The (16 January 2010). "Cultural Heritage Of Ogu People". :::...The Tide News Online:::... Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Iria Festival: Excitement in Rivers community as maidens are set to dance half-naked". Punch Newspapers. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Okrika | Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ Tide, The (16 January 2010). "Cultural Heritage Of Ogu People". :::...The Tide News Online:::... Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Andoni Local Government Area". www.finelib.com. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Tide, The (16 January 2010). "Cultural Heritage Of Ogu People". :::...The Tide News Online:::... Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Tide, The (16 January 2010). "Cultural Heritage Of Ogu People". :::...The Tide News Online:::... Retrieved 10 March 2022.
Sources edit
- Abomaye-Nimenibo, W.A.S.; Abomaye-Nimenibo, Comfort Tamunobarasinpiri; Minabere, Harry Abomaye (23 December 2017). "The Socio-Economic Dilemma And Challenges Of Population Growth Of Ogu Urban Town As A Nigerian Rural Community". Global Journal of Management and Business Research, E. Marketing. 1.0. 17 (4).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Abomaye-Nimenibo, Williams Aminadokiari Samuel (2018). "The Socio-Economic and Pathological Effects of Youth Unemployment in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Authority Area of Rivers State, Nigeria". Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: E Economics. 1.0. 18 (3). eISSN 2249-460X. ISSN 0975-587X.