Ralph Iwowari
Encyclopedia
Ralph Michael Iwowari, or Mein VII, is the Amanyanabo, or traditional ruler
of Nembe Bassambiri, one of the sections of the Nembe Kingdom
in Bayelsa State
, Nigeria
.
In July 1973, Iwowari was aide-de-camp
to the military Governor of Rivers State
, Naval Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff
.
He became furious with a journalist who published a critical article on the governor's birthday, and ordered him to be given 24 strokes of the cane and to have his head shaved with an old blade.
Violence is endemic in the region, in part due to problems caused by oil exploitation and in part due to traditional rivalries.
In August 2003 Iwowari, chairman of Bayelsa State's council of traditional rulers, met with the state Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
, who noted that it had became necessary for traditional rulers to initiate vigilante groups to combat piracy in the creeks and rivers of the Niger Delta
.
In 2003/2004 Nembe Bassambiri was involved in fighting with a rival community in which many homes were destroyed, people were killed and others fled and went into hiding.
The cause was a dispute over revenue from oil extraction in nearby Obioku village by Shell Nigeria
, which was claimed by both Nembe Bassambiri and by the village of Odioma
.
In October 2004 Iwowari conducted elaborate ceremonies to mark the end of the crisis.
In January 2009, thugs supporting an unpopular political candidate invaded the Bassambiri community. Early reports said over 40 people might have died, Iwowari was missing and his palace had been barred with palm fronds signifying danger.
After things had settled down, just one body was found floating in a canal, although there were many injuries.
The state governor invited Iwowari and local leaders to a meeting to find a solution to the conflict.
In April 2010 the Bayelsa State government attempted once more to resolve the ongoing discord between the Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri communities, bringing together Iwowari with Edmund Daukoru
, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom and other chiefs to find a solution.
After the meeting both kings said they were optimistic that the differences between the two feuding communities could be resolved.
Nigerian traditional rulers
Nigerian traditional rulers often derive their titles from the rulers of independent states or communities that existed before the formation of modern Nigeria...
of Nembe Bassambiri, one of the sections of the Nembe Kingdom
Nembe Kingdom
The Nembe Kingdom is a traditional state in Niger Delta. It includes the Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The traditional rulers take the title "Amanyanabo"...
in Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State is a state in southern Nigeria in the core Niger Delta region, between Delta State and Rivers State. Its capital is Yenagoa. The language spoken here is Ijaw language and dialects of the Ijaw language such as Nembe, Atissa, Akassa, Ogbia, etc. However, like the rest of Nigeria,...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
In July 1973, Iwowari was aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to the military Governor of Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
, Naval Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff
Alfred Diete-Spiff
Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff was the first Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria after it was created from part of the old Eastern Region, Nigeria. He held office from May 1967 until July 1975 during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon....
.
He became furious with a journalist who published a critical article on the governor's birthday, and ordered him to be given 24 strokes of the cane and to have his head shaved with an old blade.
Violence is endemic in the region, in part due to problems caused by oil exploitation and in part due to traditional rivalries.
In August 2003 Iwowari, chairman of Bayelsa State's council of traditional rulers, met with the state Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha was governor of Bayelsa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 9 December 2005.-Background:...
, who noted that it had became necessary for traditional rulers to initiate vigilante groups to combat piracy in the creeks and rivers of the Niger Delta
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta, the delta of the Niger River in Nigeria, is a densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil...
.
In 2003/2004 Nembe Bassambiri was involved in fighting with a rival community in which many homes were destroyed, people were killed and others fled and went into hiding.
The cause was a dispute over revenue from oil extraction in nearby Obioku village by Shell Nigeria
Shell Nigeria
Shell Nigeria is the colloquial name for Royal Dutch Shell's Nigerian operations carried out through four subsidiaries—primarily through Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited...
, which was claimed by both Nembe Bassambiri and by the village of Odioma
Odioma
Odioma is a village located in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, in an area where oil was found by Shell Nigeria. It was largely destroyed in February 2005, when soldiers burned buildings, killed perhaps 17 villagers and raped women, ostensibly in revenge for previous killings by local rebels.The underlying...
.
In October 2004 Iwowari conducted elaborate ceremonies to mark the end of the crisis.
In January 2009, thugs supporting an unpopular political candidate invaded the Bassambiri community. Early reports said over 40 people might have died, Iwowari was missing and his palace had been barred with palm fronds signifying danger.
After things had settled down, just one body was found floating in a canal, although there were many injuries.
The state governor invited Iwowari and local leaders to a meeting to find a solution to the conflict.
In April 2010 the Bayelsa State government attempted once more to resolve the ongoing discord between the Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri communities, bringing together Iwowari with Edmund Daukoru
Edmund Daukoru
Dr. Edmund Maduabebe Daukoru is a former Nigerian Minister of State for Energy and was President of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in 2006.-Background:...
, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom and other chiefs to find a solution.
After the meeting both kings said they were optimistic that the differences between the two feuding communities could be resolved.