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Eze Kanu Oji is Nigeria's longest monarch to ever reign in history and one of the longest in the world

Born in the year 1900, He reigned from 1914 - 1987, ruling for 73 years continuously.
He was crowned Eze Aro in 1914 at 14 years. But he could not take full control of the
throne until he attained a full age of 21 years. And that was in 1921, exactly 7 years after his coronation. It was then that he performed his first important public function as Eze Aro as he chaired, for the first time, a vital meeting of Aro Traditional Leaders Council.
It is not his longevity that draws attention but the wisdom and achievements he made on the throne, which still resonate and remain indelible in the sands of history and have transformed him to a legend Among the people. At the centenary commemoration of Aro-British war,
Read 6 tweets
Vivian Fox-Strangways: The first District Officer of Okigwe and his wicked exploit.

In 1914 when Nigeria was amalgamated, Fox-Strangways was sent to Okigwe as the first District Officer. He destabilized the traditional leadership of the Uturu people and clans.

How?
He appointed the Warrant Chief Officers in Uturu, then introduced a native court at Elu- Ọrọ Amaidi and then deployed some British soldiers who move round the villages to intimidate the natives.
Remember, the British Government had forcefully emerged six independent clans; Ọtanchara, Ọtanzu, Isuochi, Nneatọ, Isuikwuatọ and Ụmụchieze, to form the Okigwe District.

The Ọtanchara Communities include; Ihube, Ụbaha, Okigwe, Akụ, Ụmụawaibu, Ibinta, Amụrọ, Okwele,
Read 11 tweets
#FlashBackFriday

Six Facts About the Old Eastern Region

The gap between the eastern region and other parts of Nigeria was too much. It led to resentment and envy

Look at these facts.

1. Between 1954 & 1964, Eastern Nigeria was described as the fastest growing economy in
the world by Harvard reviews. Faster than China, Singapore and the "Asian Tigers".

2. The Eastern govt was the only government in the world that invested 45% of its revenues in Education.

3. The Eastern Region had the biggest Electricity Supply.
Best Hospitals And The Igbos made up 60% Of Nigerian Civil Service

4. The Eastern Nigeria had the highest Number of Registered Cars in Nigeria as at 1963 by a large margin.

5. The Number of Registered Business in Nigeria as at 1963 was as follows.

East~ 68,220
West ~ 5776
Read 4 tweets
This is Daniel Lawrence but in the Biafran army he was known as 'Pampas'. He is a mullato born to a British woman from Liverpool and a Biafran Ogoja father from Ikom who was a sailor.
His mother died of Malaria during her first visit to Nigeria and his father later died in a shipwreck. As an orphan he lived in Ọnịcha with his paternal uncle and worked as a young driver in his uncle's business.
When the war broke out, Pampas quickly volunteered to serve in the Biafran Army at barely 17 years of age.

He was soon fighting as a tank driver in a Panhard armoured car captured from the enemy at Ọnịcha.
Read 7 tweets
THIS WAS BEFORE OIL!!!

At 39 years, Michael Okpara was the youngest Premier of Nigeria & the Eastern Region for six years & Igweọcha known as Port Harcourt was part of the Eastern region. He was responsible for setting up the Trans Amadi Industrial Area,
Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt& Enugwu Michelin Tyre Factory in Port Harcourt, Obudu Cattle Ranch, the Owerri shoe Industry, the Aba Textile Mill& Port Harcourt sea port expansion.

He did all these with No crude Oil revenue, but resources from palm oil, coal and limestone.
In Igweocha today's Port Harcourt, Dr. Michael Okpara’s visionary acumen blossomed in the establishment and development of a vast Trans Amadi Industrial Estate which, to this day, remains the heart beat and bulwark of industrial development in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Read 6 tweets
Who is Akpan Utuk?

In 1967, with the start of the War Utuk, a native of Ibibio, joined the Biafran Army and quickly rose in ranks. Utuk is said to have fought at most of the large-scale battles during the war.
When Utuk was made colonel he was put into command of the Biafran 16th Division to defend the city of Owerri from the oncoming Nigerian Army. When General Benjamin Adekunle decided to invade Aba instead of Owerri, he was pleased and decided to stay back
and let Major Timothy Onwuatuegwu handle the Nigerians. After separate battle at Aba and Umuahia Utuk did not expect the Nigerian Army to arrive. On September 17, 1968 General Benjamin Adekunle attacked Owerri.
Read 8 tweets
The Ijele Masquerade, is the biggest known Masquerade in Africa. Ijele originated from the old Anambra State many centuries ago, According to UNESCO recent commentary The origin of Ijele according to available Oral story, emanated from Umueri.
Please RT
It was this very group that performed the first "izi egwu ijele"(introduction of the Mask) to other communities like Aguleri, Nsugbe,Nando, Awkuzu etc. Its pertinent to note Umuatuolu Umueri was instrumental to the introduction of Okeke masqurades to Igbariamu, Nteje, and some
other Villages outside Omabala areas. and In recognizing the roles played by Umueri in the Origin of Ijele, the Old Anambra State Government unanimously selected their Ijele Cultural troupe, led by Chief Obiako Raphael Anizoba (Agunech'ibe)of Umuatuolu village Umueri to represent
Read 8 tweets
Do you know there was BIAFRAN FOOTBALL CLUB (1969-1978)?

As the Republic of Biafra was founded, and the war started, a group of idealistic young football lovers gathered together in Valls, Barcelona (Spain) to honour the heroic struggle of the Biafrans.
They created a symbolic pennant& founded the Biafran Football club in order to draw world attention to the plight of Biafra, using one of the most focused methods known to humanity—Football. CF Biafra had about hundred players from Reus to Pla, from Nulles to Tarragona.
They settled in El Vilar, within the federated amateur league and rode all the way to the Third Regional League.

Half a century later, the golden anniversary of the Biafra football club was celebrated.
Read 9 tweets
Igbo people in the Atlantic slave trade
Historical Thread.

The Igbo, whose traditional territory is called the Bight of Biafra (also known as the Bight of Bonny), became one of the principal ethnic groups to be enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
An estimated 14.6% of all slaves were taken from the Bight of Biafra between 1650 and 1900. The Bight’s major slave trading ports were located in Bonny and Calabar. The majority of Igbo slaves were kidnapped during village raids.
The journey for Igbo slaves often began in the ancient Cave Temple that was located in Arochukwu Kingdom. During this period, the three Igbo Kingdoms followed the same culture and religion, yet tended to operate very differently from each other.
Read 27 tweets

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