A BRIEF HISTORY OF OGU

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OGU

Title: How We Came to Our Present Settlement of Ogu

The history of Ogu has been preserved mainly through oral traditions. It is widely believed that Ogu was founded around the 9th Century A.D. by two great ancestral friends, Ogu and Egbelekpeke. Oral accounts also maintain that all Okrika-speaking people migrated from Central Ijaw, around Amasoma, down to Tombikuku, south of Bonny.

In the early days, the settlement was disrupted following the mysterious death of the only son of a widow. Some inhabitants moved down to Orubie-Ama (meaning the land of the deities). However, incessant attacks by neighboring communities made Orubie-Ama unsafe, prompting the elders to charge the young men to search for a more secure home.

It was during this period that Ogu Omukuso, while on a fishing expedition, discovered the present site of Ogu. Finding the place suitable for settlement, he cleared part of the land by cutting down Egba sticks before returning to inform his friend, Egbelekpeke.

Some days later, Egbelekpeke also visited the island by a different route. He erected a hut there before returning home. This led to a dispute between the two friends, each claiming to be the original founder of the new land.

The chiefs and elders of Orubie-Ama set up a panel of inquiry. Upon visiting the site, the panel saw both the Egba sticks cut by Ogu and the hut built by Egbelekpeke. Ogu proved his claim by matching the sticks he had taken home with those still standing. The panel, convinced that Ogu first landed on the island, declared him the true founder.

The Verdict

• The island was named Ogu, in recognition of Ogu’s discovery.

• He was given authority over 33 out of 34 deities (gods) to administer.

• Egbelekpeke, in honor of being the first to build a hut, was entrusted with Amakiri, the earth goddess.

The Loko Dynasty

The community also recognized the leadership qualities of Loko, who had shown great wisdom at Orubie-Ama, and thus conferred on him the title of leadership of the new settlement. This marked the beginning of the Loko dynasty.

Succession to the throne was not made strictly hereditary. Instead, any capable member of the wider Loko family could ascend the throne. This is why the Late King Elliot Iyayegoseibama John Ada was qualified to rule as Amanyanabo of Ogu.