Ogu–Bolo (also spelled Ogu/Bolo) is a local government area (LGA) in
Rivers State
Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
, Nigeria, with its administrative headquarters in the town of Ogu. It is situated in the eastern part of the
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitic ...
, the Ogu-Bolo people are of
Ijaw Ijaw may refer to:
*Ijaw people
The Ijaw people, also known as the Izon people, are an ethnic group found in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, with primary Population, population clusters in Bayelsa State, Bayelsa, Delta State, Delta, and River ...
descent and represent one of the 11 local government areas in Rivers State with Ijaw heritage.
Ogu–Bolo Local Government Area (LGA) covers an area of 89 km² (34 sq mi) and had an estimated population of over 119,000 as of 2020, according to the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. Located in the Rivers South East Senatorial District, it is bordered by Eleme LGA to the north, Tai LGA to the south, Khana LGA to the east, and
Bonny LGA to the west.
Farming is the predominant occupation of the people, with Christianity being the major religion, alongside a few adherents of African Traditional Religion. The primary ethnic group in the area is the Wakrikese, a sub-group of the larger
Ijaw tribe. The
postal code
A postal code (also known locally in various English-speaking countries throughout the world as a postcode, post code, PIN or ZIP Code) is a series of letters or numerical digit, digits or both, sometimes including spaces or punctuation, inclu ...
for Ogu–Bolo is 500104.
About
Ogu/Bolo is neighboured by
Eleme LGA in the west,
Tai LGA in the north,
Bonny LGA, Wakama Ama and Bolo communities in the south, and
Okrika LGA in the southwest.
Ogu/Bolo LGA consists of the
district
A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municip ...
s of Bolo, Ele, Ogu, and Wakama, along with many other communities such as Adiai-Obiofu, Agwe, Amuajie, Ase-Imonita, Ase-Azaga, Isara, and others. Nearby cities and villages include
Tai,
Gokana, and
Okrika
Okrika is a town in Rivers State, Nigeria, and serves as the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area. It is situated on an island south of Port Harcourt, functioning as a suburb of the city.
The inhabitants of Okrika LGA are of Ijaw descent ...
. Neighbouring communities in other LGAs include: Sime, Barale, Barayira, Norkpo, and Nonwa in Tai LGA; Eteo and
Onne in
Eleme LGA; and Mgbemgbe Boko in Okrika LGA.
Climate/Geography
Ogu Bolo LGA has an average
temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that quantitatively expresses the attribute of hotness or coldness. Temperature is measurement, measured with a thermometer. It reflects the average kinetic energy of the vibrating and colliding atoms making ...
of 26 degrees Celsius and a total area of 89 square kilometers. The dry and wet seasons are the two distinct seasons that the LGA experiences. There are numerous rivers and streams that traverse the LGA.
The region can be accessed by sea or land. It has well over 50 satellite villages and fishing settlements which can be reached from the sea by Ogu Creek and the
Bonny River.
These include:
* Abereniboye Kiri
* Ada Ama I
* Ada Ama II
* Adokiye kiri
* Adolphus Nemieboka Kiri
* Adufe Ama
* Afaka Ama
* Agakien Ama
* Agakien Kiri
* Amabara Ama
* Anigoboka Ama
* Apanatibo Kiri
* Atubonacheofoin-a Ama
* Brown Ama
* Bumo Kiri
* Chuku Ama
* Chuku Ama II
* Daso Ama
* Febie Ama
* Fombo Ama
* Fulobele Kiri
* Gream Kiri
* Ibiebele Kiri
* Ibiorika Kiri
* Ichi Kiri
* Igafe Ama
* Igbikiyemieari Ama
* Ikikafipiri Ama
* Ikpokiri I
* Ikpokiri II
* Ikpokiri III (wharf)
* Ilanga/Yikabo Ama
* IpiangbafibumoKiri
* Iwomabie Ama
* Kulo Kiri
* Mbi Kiri
* Mgbemgbeboko (Fubara Kiri)
* Nemieboka Ama
* New Ogu (Kporo Ama)
* Niniapukiri
* Nyanabo Ama
* Odo Kiri
* Ogobo Ama
* Ogonotoru Ama
* Ogugu-Chuku Ama
* Ogweinbie Ama
* Olobulo Ama
* Olomusoko Ama
* Omodarani Ama
* Orabere Kiri
* Orubie Ama
* Otobipi Kiri
* Owuapuigbiki Kiri
* Owugono Ama
* Owukiri Ama
* Owupele Ama
* Piri Ama
* Sani Kiri
* Semenibipi/Iyo Kiri
* Siere Ama
* Tamuno Ama (Ofunguru Ama)
* Tende Ama
* Tendefe Ama
* Tombikuku
* Tububie Ama
* Yikabo Kiri
*Olobulo Ama
* Yude Ama
Culture
The Ogu/Bolo people have a
distinctive and diverse culture, showcased in their
festival
A festival is an event celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures. It is often marked as a local or national holiday, Melā, mela, or Muslim holidays, eid. A ...
s, cultural attire, and food. Important traditions in the culture of Ogu/Bolo people are the Iria
puberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads: the ovaries in a female, the testicles i ...
and marriage ceremonies,
wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...
, traditional plays, burial rites, installation of chiefs, traditional rulers' ceremonies, and rites connected with day-to-day life.
Masquerades play a particularly important culture role. Some are colourful with make-ups or
paraphernalia
Paraphernalia refers to a collection of items or equipment associated with a particular activity, hobby, or lifestyle. The term is often used to describe the tools, accessories, or objects that are used in various fields, such as sports, arts ...
, and are a common sight throughout communities, especially during festive occasions. These performances are either religious, historical, or the
personification
Personification is the representation of a thing or abstraction as a person, often as an embodiment or incarnation. In the arts, many things are commonly personified, including: places, especially cities, National personification, countries, an ...
s of
legend
A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the ...
s, and are accompanied by song, music, and dance. Musical instruments used include pots and drums, wooden
gong
A gongFrom Indonesian language, Indonesian and ; ; zh, c=鑼, p=luó; ; ; ; ; is a percussion instrument originating from Southeast Asia, and used widely in Southeast Asian and East Asian musical traditions. Gongs are made of metal and ...
s, horns, and
xylophones. All these are made locally by experts with an ancient tradition behind their craftsmanship.
Carving of masks and ceremonial
canoe
A canoe is a lightweight, narrow watercraft, water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using paddles.
In British English, the term ' ...
s is a revered art, having matured in style and quality over generations. Gradually, the purely functional forms of these carvings were given new dimension and refinement which reflected a sense of
aesthetic
Aesthetics (also spelled esthetics) is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty and taste, which in a broad sense incorporates the philosophy of art.Slater, B. H.Aesthetics ''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy,'' , acces ...
values.
The dances, plays, and masquerades depict the religious, social, and working life of the people. In turn, the life of the people has been greatly influenced by their culture. Thus, a spiritually ennobling circle has been set up. The Ogu man's (''Okrika-Ijaw'') confidence, his love of truth, fair-play, and wholesome dealings can all be traced to the influence of his unique cultural heritage.
Trade and commerce
Fishing and peasant farming are the main economic activities of Ogu/Bolo communities. Trading is principally done within the contiguous communities of Tai, Eleme, Bonny, and
Andoni. The introduction of "legitimate" trade by Europeans in the mid-20th century increased the volume of commercial activities in Ogu.
Religious activities
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
and
Western education
Western education is the form of education that mainly originated in or is characteristic of the Western world.
History
Ancient era
Medieval era
Modern era
Pre-contemporary history outside of the West
The introduction of Western ...
were introduced by
missionaries
A missionary is a member of a religious group who is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Thomas Hale 'On Being a Miss ...
. The magnificent St. Martins’ Anglican Church in Ogu was completed in 1966. Even today, the church stands, not only as a marvelous architectural edifice, but also as a monumental and durable evidence of a peoples’ ancient devotion to progressive thought and action.
In 1973, the first post-primary school in Ogu/Bolo LGA was established: Government Secondary School, Ogu. For many years, this college remained distinguished from others by its priority. By the mid-1970's, Ogu had a modern hospital, good drinking water, and tarred roads.
References
Sources
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ogu Bolo
Local Government Areas in Rivers State
1998 establishments in Nigeria
1990s establishments in Rivers State