The Politics And Survival, Chronicles of Obunagha Community And Gbarain Kingdom by Anderson Samasi - HTML preview

Preface

Growing up in Gbarain Kingdom where there was an absolute absence of social amenities that support comfortable deserving existence of human, such as roads rather than bush foot paths, clean water, electrical power and others, to a kingdom having some of these amenities qualifies the documentation of these experiences. It is of significance that this transformative process should be documented for generations in decades to come.

The Politics and Survival is a socio-infrastructural development story of Gbarain Kingdom and Obunagha Community in particular; it discussed the establishment of communities, the evolution and development of Christianity and education, inter-communal road, clean water schemes, the evolution of the kingdom’s leadership, and electrical power supply among other important development stories of the kingdom.

Gbarain Kingdom is among the seven kingdoms within Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It shares boundaries with Kolokuma, Opokuma, Ekpetiama, Epie, Atissa, and Zarama kingdoms.

Acknowledgement

Working on The Politics and Survival has been a journey of listening, learning, and unlearning about Gbarain Kingdom and Obunagha Community. This journey began when I started having discussions with my grandfather, late Chief Samasi Bikpobigha as a kid. Those memories contributed in guiding the study to the actualization of this book. To the creator of the universe and the ancestors of Gbarain Kingdom, thank you for choosing me to document the development history of Gbarain Kingdom and Obunagha Community.

To my professional mentor Dr. Jackson Tamunosaki Jack, meeting you on my life journey is the foundation of this book, I am eternally grateful. And I remain grateful to my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Igbaibomo S. Bikpobigha for an excellent support. And I specifically remain gratefuf to Prof. Odingowei Kwokwo and Prof.

Tonye Sampson for their uncommon encouragement and support towards the actualization of this book. Also, to all the Chiefs, Elders, Stakeholders, and indigenes of Gbarain Kingdom and Obunagha Community who granted me opportunities to have interactive sessions on our past with facts, I am deeply grateful.

And to my research assistants that assisted with photos and field support, I remain grateful.

Thank you for all the support.

pg. iv

Interviewees:

Name

Community

Chief Soberekon Okoko

Obunagha

Chief Godgive Apoh

Obunagha

Chief Whyte Suwari

Polaku

Chief Kumbowei S. Ogidikpe

Koroama

Chief Davidson Apinaowei

Ayama

Chief Elijah Tietie

Tunuama

Sir. Matthias Odumu Otuogha

Nedugo

Eld. Akilius Gideon

Okotiama

Eld. Goodhead Tuaweri

Okolobiri

Eld. Pere Thompson

Obunagha

Eld. Philemon Yeseibo

Obunagha

Eld. Clever Fewai

Koroama

Eld. Samuel Dickson

Koroama

Eld. Nicholas Otoworo

Okolobiri

Mama Elvina Patani

Obunagha

Mama Alasi Patani

Obunagha

Mr. Tonye Baraseibai

Koroama

Prof. Tonye Sampson

Obunagha

Mr. Tonye Kwokwo

Koroama

Mr. Igbaibomo S. Bikpobigha

Obunagha

Mr. Albert Otoworo

Okolobiri

Hon. Bipele Otuogha

Nedugo

Comrade Perediseghabofa Orufa

Asaingbene

Comrade Sirwhite Saiyou

Koroama

Comrade Bright K. Silas

Okolobiri

Miss. Patience Okoro

Ogboloma

Mr. Dan Woyengikuro Orufa

Asaingbene

Mr. Undutimi Andrew

Ayama

Mr. Freeman Kwokwo

Koroama

Mr. Woyengiebinimi Joel Ipatolo

Tunuama

Mr. Malua Daniel

Kumbo-Ama

Mr. Ebikila Elvis Azi

Kumbo-Ama

pg. vi

Research Assistants:

Name

Community

Mr. Ayabara Fewai

Koroama

Mr. Koko Ikpomeniebi

Okotiama

Mr. Godstime Elliot

Obunagha

Miss. Erekpoebinimi Jatto

Okolobiri