On November 22, 2025, the community of Ngeribarama in the ancient Ke Kingdom of Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State m...
On November 22, 2025, the community of Ngeribarama in the ancient Ke Kingdom of Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State marked a great moment with the coronation of their first-ever king, His Royal Highness Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo. This momentous event, steeped in the ancient customs and profound history of the Ke Kingdom, reverberates beyond mere ceremony; it signals a reawakening of historical heritage, cultural identity, and socio-economic transformation for a community long overshadowed by neglect.
Foundations of Ngeribarama within the Ke Kingdom:
To comprehend the profound significance of King Osoma
Natrebo’s ascension, one must look into the intricate historical facts of the
land and its people. Archaeological records affirm that Ke town, situated along
the strategic Ke River, has existed since approximately 600 AD. The river
traverses into the Atlantic Ocean, occupying a vital location between the New
Calabar and Sombreiro Rivers, bestowing upon the Ke people dominion over
essential estuaries and the adjoining territories.
Within this influential domain, several proto-Ijaw
communities emerged throughout the 16th century, with the Ke people generously
granting permission for their cohabitation. Nevertheless, it is unequivocal
that Ngeribarama’s roots are firmly entrenched within the Ke territorial
integrity.
The historical narrative traces the community’s eponymous
founder, Ngeribara, who was a traveler from Elem Tombia to Ke. His arrival to Ke
was marked by a unique journey, he was taken in and adopted by the late Chief
Ogbolo (“Bokolo-ogbolo”) of Ke. Upon Chief Ogbolo’s death, Ngeribara, being the
only surviving male child (though adopted), dutifully conducted his burial
rites, cementing his place within the Ke royal lineage.
Further strengthening his bond with Ke, Ngeribara married
Minaofori, the first daughter of King Omoni, the revered sovereign of Ke
Kingdom. Their union birthed Dukosibiyosin (also known as Ngolo), whose
descendants, in turn, trace the royal lineage of the current monarch, King
Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo.
Ngeribara's relationship with the land was not merely
political or familial but also spiritual. During his forays into the barrier
island that now constitutes Ngeribarama, he reputedly encountered the sacred
python deity, "later called, Ngeribaramina Adum." After a series of
divine consultations, he was mandated to worship this python spirit, a
tradition that transformed Ngeribarama into a long-standing religious hub,
acknowledged among the 33 towns of the Kalabari. Although Christianity has
since altered these spiritual belief, the echoes of these deep-rooted customs
persist.
Geographical Region and Territorial Ownership
Geographically, Ngeribarama is nestled on a barrier island
within the Ke Kingdom, sharing boundaries with Elem Ifoko to the east and
Abissa to the west. Contrary to some claims, the community does not share a
boundary with Tombia, the adjoining community of Abalama fills the territorial
gap.
In a detailed communique affirming ancestral ownership, King
Osoma and the Ke community assert, “No group or individual has ever conquered
any part of Ke territory. While migratory groups have settled temporarily or
been granted permission, it is only the Ke man who defines territorial limits.”
Ownership is rooted in historical occupancy, citizenship, and cultural
integration rather than mere fishing or transient settlement.
Attempts by external actors to impose self-styled kingships
outside Ke’s consensus have met with substantial resistance from the community,
underscoring the enduring assertion that “Ke remains the owners of
Ngeribarama.”
The Coronation: Symbolism and Vision:
The November 2025 coronation, an elaborate ceremony infused
with age-old rites ranging from the procession to the Ogbolo ancestral
mausoleum to celebrations at the Ngolo compound square marked not just the
installation of a monarch but the dawning of an ambitious vision.
King Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo, who humbly accepted this
mantle, articulated his responsibility as “not a mere title, but a call to
service to bring light where there was darkness; to restore dignity, peace, and
prosperity to Ngeribarama.” His personal heritage as a descendant of Ngeribara
imbues his reign with legitimacy and a deep sense of duty.
A man of spiritual fortitude and practical resolve, King
Osoma emphasized plans to revitalize the community’s economy, focusing on
sustainable fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, and eco-tourism industries
harmonious with the riverine environment. His message resonates with urgency
given Rivers State’s broader challenges, including militancy, oil-theft, and
youth restiveness, all of which have afflicted local economies and social
cohesion.
In confronting these multifaceted crises, King Osoma stands
firm: “As king, I will partner with companies, NGOs, and government to redirect
our youths not to do oil bunkering or crime but to engage in productive
ventures, honest labour, and godly living.” These words delineate a proactive
approach, centered on youth empowerment, moral guidance, and socio-economic
inclusion.
Education and Infrastructure:
Recognizing the stark deficit in social infrastructure, most
notably the absence of functional schooling, King Osoma has designated
education as a priority. His vision encompasses a multi-stakeholder partnership
to establish community-owned schools that meld formal academics with vocational
training in boat-making, fishing, agro-business, and traditional crafts.
Moreover, his administration aims to inaugurate vocational
centres to offer alternatives to criminality, thereby weaving a new social
fabric grounded in dignity and opportunity.
The king’s hopeful collaboration with Governor Sir
Siminalayi Fubara who is championing vital projects such as the Trans-Kalabari
Road symbolizes the potential for infrastructural breakthroughs that will open
previously isolated communities like Ngeribarama to investors, tourists, and
development.
A Community Poised for Renewal*:
Ngeribarama today stands at a crossroads. Its historical
legacy is interlaced with profound cultural traditions and a resilient people
who, despite challenges, remain resolute in the stewardship of their heritage.
The ascension of HRH Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo signifies more
than continuity, it epitomizes a new dawn. His call for unity is clear: “This
throne is not mine alone; it belongs to every son and daughter of Ngeribarama
and, by large, the Ke Kingdom. I beseech all; government, companies, community let
us walk together in peace, build together in love, work together for
prosperity.”
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