08/12/2025
The History and Heritage of Ngeribarama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State
By Intact Newspaper
On November 22, 2025, the community of Ngeribarama in the ancient Ke Kingdom of Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State marked a great moment with the coronation of their first-ever king, His Royal Highness Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo. This momentous event, steeped in the ancient customs and profound history of the Ke Kingdom, reverberates beyond mere ceremony; it signals a reawakening of historical heritage, cultural identity, and socio-economic transformation for a community long overshadowed by neglect.
Foundations of Ngeribarama within the Ke Kingdom:
To comprehend the profound significance of King Osoma Natrebo’s ascension, one must look into the intricate historical facts of the land and its people. Archaeological records affirm that Ke town, situated along the strategic Ke River, has existed since approximately 600 AD. The river traverses into the Atlantic Ocean, occupying a vital location between the New Calabar and Sombreiro Rivers, bestowing upon the Ke people dominion over essential estuaries and the adjoining territories.
Within this influential domain, several proto-Ijaw communities emerged throughout the 16th century, with the Ke people generously granting permission for their cohabitation. Nevertheless, it is unequivocal that Ngeribarama’s roots are firmly entrenched within the Ke territorial integrity.
The historical narrative traces the community’s eponymous founder, Ngeribara, who sojouned from Elem Tombia to Ke. His arrival to Ke was marked by a unique journey, he was taken in and adopted by the late Chief Ogbolo (“Bokolo-ogbolo”) of Ke. Upon Chief Ogbolo’s death, Ngeribara, being the only surviving male child (though adopted), dutifully conducted his burial rites, cementing his place within the Ke royal lineage.
Further strengthening his bond with Ke, Ngeribara married Minaofori, the first daughter of King Omoni, the revered sovereign of Ke Kingdom. Their union birthed Dukosibiyosin (also known as Ngolo), whose descendants, in turn, trace the royal lineage of the current monarch, King Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo.
Ngeribara's relationship with the land was not merely political or familial but also spiritual. During his forays into the barrier island that now constitutes Ngeribarama, he reputedly encountered the sacred python deity, "later called, Ngeribaramina Adum." After a series of divine consultations, he was mandated to worship this python spirit, a tradition that transformed Ngeribarama into a long-standing religious hub, acknowledged among the 33 towns of the Kalabari. Although Christianity has since altered these spiritual belief, the echoes of these deep-rooted customs persist.
Geographical Region and Territorial Ownership
Geographically, Ngeribarama is nestled on a barrier island within the Ke Kingdom, sharing boundaries with Elem Ifoko to the east and Abissa to the west. Contrary to some claims, the community does not share a boundary with Tombia, the adjoining community of Abalama fills the territorial gap.
In a detailed communique affirming ancestral ownership, King Osoma and the Ke community assert, “No group or individual has ever conquered any part of Ke territory. While migratory groups have settled temporarily or been granted permission, it is only the Ke man who defines territorial limits.” Ownership is rooted in historical occupancy, citizenship, and cultural integration rather than mere fishing or transient settlement.
Attempts by external actors to impose self-styled kingships outside Ke’s consensus have met with substantial resistance from the community, underscoring the enduring assertion that “Ke remains the owners of Ngeribarama.”
The Coronation: Symbolism and Vision:
The November 2025 coronation, an elaborate ceremony infused with age-old rites ranging from the procession to the Ogbolo ancestral mausoleum to celebrations at the Ngolo compound square marked not just the installation of a monarch but the dawning of an ambitious vision.
King Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo, who humbly accepted this mantle, articulated his responsibility as “not a mere title, but a call to service to bring light where there was darkness; to restore dignity, peace, and prosperity to Ngeribarama.” His personal heritage as a descendant of Ngeribara imbues his reign with legitimacy and a deep sense of duty.
A man of spiritual fortitude and practical resolve, King Osoma emphasized plans to revitalize the community’s economy, focusing on sustainable fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, and eco-tourism industries harmonious with the riverine environment. His message resonates with urgency given Rivers State’s broader challenges, including militancy, oil-theft, and youth restiveness, all of which have afflicted local economies and social cohesion.
In confronting these multifaceted crises, King Osoma stands firm: “As king, I will partner with companies, NGOs, and government to redirect our youths not to do oil bunkering or crime but to engage in productive ventures, honest labour, and godly living.” These words delineate a proactive approach, centered on youth empowerment, moral guidance, and socio-economic inclusion.
Education and Infrastructure:
Recognizing the stark deficit in social infrastructure, most notably the absence of functional schooling, King Osoma has designated education as a priority. His vision encompasses a multi-stakeholder partnership to establish community-owned schools that meld formal academics with vocational training in boat-making, fishing, agro-business, and traditional crafts.
Moreover, his administration aims to inaugurate vocational centres to offer alternatives to criminality, thereby weaving a new social fabric grounded in dignity and opportunity.
The king’s hopeful collaboration with Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara who is championing vital projects such as the Trans-Kalabari Road symbolizes the potential for infrastructural breakthroughs that will open previously isolated communities like Ngeribarama to investors, tourists, and development.
A Community Poised for Renewal:
Ngeribarama today stands at a crossroads. Its historical legacy is interlaced with profound cultural traditions and a resilient people who, despite challenges, remain resolute in the stewardship of their heritage.
The ascension of HRH Osoma Natrebo Enos Iwo signifies more than continuity, it epitomizes a new dawn. His call for unity is clear: “This throne is not mine alone; it belongs to every son and daughter of Ngeribarama and, by large, the Ke Kingdom. I beseech all; government, companies, community let us walk together in peace, build together in love, work together for prosperity.”
https://www.intact.com.ng/2025/12/the-history-and-heritage-of-ngeribarama.html?m=1
