Info For Y'all Manful Mortal Monarch Jaja Of Opobo: Nationalist, Showtime Nigerian Richest Homo Together With The Well-Nigh Accomplished Entrepreneur Of The 19Th Century Due West Coast Of Africa
Jaja of Opobo (full name: Jubo Jubogha; 1821–1891) was the kickoff known Nigerian richest man, nationalist, a merchant prince too the founder of Opobo city-state which at nowadays forms business office of Nigeria`s River State. Jaja whose existent holler was Mbanaso Okwaraozurumbaa was also a savvy political too armed forces strategist, brought to the Bonny Kingdom every bit a slave, who was perchance the most troublesome thorn inward the flesh of 19th-century British royal ambition inward southern Nigeria.
The storey of Jaja recounts a human being of servile status hurdling intimidating odds to attain wealth too power, too founding inward the latter one-half of the 19th century the most prosperous city-state inward the Delta expanse of Nigeria. He has rightly been described as, perhaps, the most enterprising too accomplished of all African merchant princes on the W coast of Africa inward the 19th century (Fajana too Biggs 1976:137-138). He kickoff traded inward Bonny but after founded a novel flourishing trading village inward 1869 inward Opobo, a site where he felt he could best command the traditional sources of furnish of palm crude inward the share (Cookey 1974).
As far every bit Nigerian nationalist historiography is concerned, Jaja`s greatness could live found inward his principled resistance to unusual political control. Indeed, Fajana too Biggs (1976:137) depict Jaja every bit the kickoff Nigerian nationalist of the nineteenth century. Thus, Jaja’s principled oppositions to British influence inward the Niger Delta has largely been interpreted past times to a greater extent than or less historians every bit the precursors to Nigeria’s nationalist struggles.
However, Rotimi too Ogen (2008) argued that Jaja just similar Nana Olomu of itsekiri`s rigid opposition to unusual penetration too the vehement resistance against British imperialism were essentially informed past times their fervent want to protect past times all agency their considerable commercial interests. Contrasting Jaja too Nana with their contemporaries such every bit Sultan Attahiru of Sokoto, Oba Ovonramwen of Republic of Benin too Awujale Aboki Tunwase of Ijebuland, to advert but a few, who fought relentlessly to defend the corporate existence too political sovereignties of their respective kingdoms (Crowder 1968:134-136; Oduwobi 2004:34-36; Ayandele 1992: 21), Rotimi too Ogen (2008) concluded that "the wars that Jaja too Nana fought were basically merchandise wars meant for the protection of their trading monopolies. Hence, their greatest significance lies inward their roles every bit entrepreneurs cum super-merchants too non every bit proto-nationalists."
Whether Jaja was supporting his concern involvement past times fighting against the British or was genuinely fighting for the total emancipation of Opoboland, the cease final result was that Jaja succeeded inward creating serious troubles for the British imperialist past times proving that an African is capable of standing upwardly to whatever human being inward whatever plain of endeavor, irrespective of their race.
Jubo Jubogba, also known every bit Jo Jo Ubam past times the Igbo too every bit Jaja of Opobo, first, past times the Europeans too after past times most people, was born virtually 1821 inward Amaigbo hamlet inward the Orlu district of Eastern Nigeria (Isichei 1976:98). Though he was originally an Igbo enslaved person, he became acculturated into Bonny club so successfully that fifty-fifty his enemies agreed that his province was 1 of the best administered entities on the W coast of Africa during the pre-colonial era (Crowder 1968:119). Apart from his outstanding concern acumen, he had a keen understanding of Western values. He was fluent inward English linguistic communication too fifty-fifty sent 1 of his sons to a Glasgow school. He also set upwardly a secular schoolhouse inward his working capital alphabetic character too lived inward a European-style house, every bit did his chiefs. Jaja’s secular schoolhouse was nether the tutelage of a Kentucky born African American, Emma White who relocated to Opobo too fifty-fifty changed her holler to Emma Jaja (Isichei 1976:98; Ayandele 1966:81). In fact, Crowder (1968:119) states that “Jaja, ruler of a modest but rich state, was clearly inward the procedure of modernizing it independently of European rule”. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 British palm crude merchant, Alexander Cowan
went to Opobo for Alexander Miller Brother too Company inward 1887 too made the following
comments:
"There tin live no incertitude Ja-Ja was the most powerful potentate the
Oil Rivers ever produced. He was just every bit sharp too fore-seeing
every bit he was powerful…He could live stern, too he was strict, but he
was ever just, too the cast of authorities he set upwardly was every bit near
perfect every bit anything of its variety could be. Every human being had the right
of appeal, and, though inward outcome his ain potency was never
questioned, he conformed to his ain rules, too governed through
his council of chiefs (Pedler 1974:74)."
"Opobo: King Jaja's wives." Circa 1870 - 1888. (Niger Delta, Nigeria, Opobo) past times John Parkes Decker. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 grouping of women sitting too standing inward forepart of a house. The caption states that these women are Rex Jajah's wives. Three of the women sitting inward the forepart row vesture Western (Victorian) vogue clothes.
Interestingly, Jaja was a human being of prodigious powerfulness with a gifted too telling acumen. Within a few years of the foundation of Opobo, he rapidly drew the palm crude merchandise away from Bonny inward his role every bit middle-man betwixt the European merchants too the create sellers inward the interior (Pedler 1974:75). He also cleverly aligned with entirely Alexander Miller Brother too Company at the expense of several other British firms trading inward the Niger Delta. This motion led to vehement commercial rivalries alongside the British firms.
In 1884 other British firms apart from Alexander Miller felt that Jaja was profiting unduly at their expense. They thereafter came together too unilaterally fixed the cost of produce. Thus,Jaja retaliated past times breaking into the export trade, hitherto an exclusive save of the European firms. He succeeded inward transportation his palm oil to Birmingham, thereby becoming the kickoff Nigerian direct exporter of palm crude (Gertzel 1962:361-6; Pedler 1974:76). Furthermore, Jaja effectively pioneered Nigeria’s indigenous create export trade.
He utilized his immense wealth from the palm crude merchandise to acquire enormous political cum armed forces powerfulness to the extent that inward 1875 he sent to a greater extent than or less of his soldiers to assist the British during the prosecution of the Ashanti War inward the too then Gold Coast. For this wonderful support, Queen Victoria showed her appreciation past times presenting him with a sword of honor (Fajana too Biggs 1976:138).
The merchandise depression inward England from the 1880s galvanized the British traders into assuming that their profits would increase phenomenally if they could checkmate Jaja’s middle-man’s role inward the eastern Niger Delta (Isichei 1976:99). In monastic say to attain this objective, they systematically sought the assistance of the British Consul. Thus, inward 1884, Consul Hewett asked Jaja to sign a treaty placing his territory nether British protection. Jaja agreed, but entirely on the status that the clauses which stipulated costless merchandise too costless access to all parts of the territory for Europeans traders should live expunged (Cookey 1974). Consul Hewett reluctantly agreed too deleted the offensive clauses, but a yr after the British declared a Protectorate over the territory of the Gulf of Guinea. Apart from frowning at this Declaration, Jaja completely rejected the provisions for costless merchandise (Pedler 1974:76-77 too Fajana too Biggs 1976:138).
Thereafter, the British defendant Jaja of terrorism, of organizing armed attacks too of obstructing merchandise too the waterways. In 1887, the novel Vice-Consul, Harry Johnston recommended his deportation which was at nowadays approved past times the British Foreign Office. Johnston after invited him to a naval vessel for discussions too promised that Jaja would live costless to leave of absence whenever he wished, but he dishonorably broke his pledge. Jaja was taken to Accra where he was tried. The judgement was deportation for 5 years inward the West Indies. Jaja appealed against the deportation monastic say through the assistance of a British Officer, Major Macdonald who felt that Jaja had been unjustly treated. He won the appeal, too his judgement was revoked but his anticipated triumphal home-coming could non live actualized; he died on the way (Fajana too Biggs 1976:138-9; Pedler 1974:76-7). Lord Salisbury, the British Prime Minister deeply regretted the handling meted to Jaja, too insisted that inward civilized lands, those that deported him would take maintain been tried for kidnapping (Crowder 1968:121).
Jaja’s novel too entrepreneurial prowess is meaning inward many respects. Though political historians are ready to situate his resistance to British imperialism inside the purview of the history of Nigeria’s nationalist struggles, too to underscore the fact that he was the kickoff Nigerian nationalist of the nineteenth century (Fajana too Biggs 1976:137); this nowadays report is, however, to a greater extent than interested inward Jaja’s display of a remarkably high character of economical wizardry too entrepreneurship. As noted earlier, he was daring too adventurous inward his conclusion to ship palm crude direct to England. He also refused to allow British traders whatever access to his hinterland markets too insisted on levying duties on British merchants trading inward his kingdom. At a point, at that topographic point was consummate stoppage of merchandise with British traders inward his kingdom until 1 British firm,
Alexander Miller, agreed to merchandise on his terms (Crowder 1968:120; Pedler 1974:76-7).
His trading policies alarmed other British firms trading inward the Niger Delta with the exception of Alexander Miller Brother too Company, which prospered too had stations throughout southern Nigeria partly because it co-operated with Jaja. It is, however, instructive to depository fiscal establishment annotation that the other 8 firms that were virulently opposed to his policies ‘ganged’ upwardly to cast the African Association which was incorporated inward 1889. Hence, it was this African Association too a few other firms that eventually formed the United African Company (UAC) inward 1929 (Pedler 1974:1, 78 too 139). Thus, the history of the origins of the UAC would non live consummate without adequate reference to the intense commercial rivalries betwixt Jaja too the theater of Alexander Miller who were contemptuously referred to every bit the agents of Jaja past times the other firms, on the one
hand, too the other 8 British firms inward opposition to Jaja, on the other (Ogen 2006:20).
Jaja inward council
Reference: Rotimi K too Ogen O (2008). "Jaja too Nana inward the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Proto-Nationalists or Emergent Capitalists," The Journal of Pan African Studies, 2008 vol.2, no.7.
Biography of Jaja Opobo
Jubo Jubogba, also known every bit Jo Jo Ubam past times the Igbo too every bit Jaja of Opobo, first, past times the
Europeans too after past times most people, was born virtually 1821 at Úmuduruõha, Amaigbo hamlet inward the Orlu district, at nowadays Imo State of Eastern Nigeria (Isichei 1976:98). At nativity he was given a native Igbo holler Mbanaso Okwaraozurumba too was the tertiary boy of his parents, the Okwaraozurumba.
According to different oral sources, Jaja was sold into slavery inward the Niger Delta nether circumstances which are far from clear. One version of the oral traditions says that he was sold because, every bit a baby, he cutting the upper teeth first, an abominable phenomenon inward traditional Igbo society. Another version claims that he was captured too sold past times his father's enemy. Regardless, he was bought past times Chief Iganipughuma Allison of Bonny, past times far the most powerful city-state on the Atlantic coast of Southeastern Nigeria before the ascent of Opobo.
Painting of Jaja of Opobo, anheuser-busch.com
To follow the Ja Ja storey or, indeed, revolution, an explanatory depository fiscal establishment annotation is necessary. Until the cease of the 19th century, the Delta communities played a crucial role inward European too American merchandise with Nigeria. Acting every bit middlemen, these communities carried into the interior markets the merchandise goods of European too American supercargoes stationed on the coast too brought dorsum inward central the export create of the hinterland, basically palm oil. As the Delta is dominated past times saline swamps too crisscrossed past times a labyrinth of creeks too rivers, the canoe was indispensable for trade.
The Delta club was organized inward Canoe Houses. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Canoe House was the pin of social arrangement too also, notes K.O. Dike, "a cooperative trading unit of measurement too a local authorities institution." It was commonly composed of a wealthy merchant (its founder), his family, too numerous slaves owned past times him. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 prosperous theater could comprise several grand members, both costless too bonded, owning hundreds of merchandise canoes. In this intensely competitive society, leadership past times merit - non past times nativity or ascriptions - was necessary if a theater was to brand headway inward the turbulent, cut-throat competition that existed betwixt houses. Any mortal with the charisma too proven ability, fifty-fifty if of servile birth, could ascent to the leadership of a house, but could never go king. Ja Ja would attain this, too much more.
Finding immature Ja Ja also headstrong for his liking, Chief Allison made a gift of him to his friend, Madu, a main of the Anna Pepple House, 1 of the 2 houses of the royal identify unit of measurement (the other existence the Manilla Pepple House). Ja Ja was slotted into the lowest rung of the Bonny slave club ladder, that of an imported slave, distinct from that of someone who was of slave parentage but born inward the Delta.
As a youth, he worked every bit a paddler on his owner's corking merchandise canoes, traveling to too from the inland markets. Quite early, he demonstrated special abilities too concern acumen, apace identified with the Ijo custom of the Delta, too won the hearts of the local people every bit good every bit those of the European supercargoes. It was unusual for a slave of his status to brand the transition from canoe paddling to trading, but Ja Ja - through his honesty, concern sense, too amiability - presently became prosperous.
For a long while, Ja Ja turned his dorsum on Bonny politics, concentrating his immense energies on accumulating wealth through trade, the unmarried most of import criterion to powerfulness inward the Delta. At the time, Bonny politics were volatile every bit a final result of the irreconcilable too acrimonious competition for supremacy betwixt the Manilla Pepple House too the Anna Pepple House to which Ja Ja belonged. Coincidentally, both houses were led past times remarkable characters of Igbo slave origins - Oko Jumbo of the Manilla House too Madu (after him Alali his son) of the Anna House.
In 1863, Alali died, bequeathing to his theater a frightening debt of betwixt £10,000 too £15,000 owed to European supercargoes. Fearing bankruptcy, all of the eligible chiefs of the theater declined nomination to caput it. It was thus a corking relief when Ja Ja accepted to create total the void. With feature energy, he proceeded to position his theater inward monastic say past times reorganizing its finances. Conscious that the palm-oil markets inward the hinterland too the wealth of the European trading community on the coast constituted the pin of the Delta economy, he ingratiated himself with both sides. In a affair of 2 years, he had liquidated the debt left behind past times his predecessor too launched his theater on the path of prosperity. When less prosperous too insolvent houses sought incorporation into the Anna House, Ja Ja gradually absorbed 1 theater after another.
By 1867, his remarkable success had go mutual cognition throughout Bonny. The British consul to the area, Sir Richard Burton, had crusade to remark that although Ja Ja was the "son of an unknown bush man," he had go "the most influential human being too greatest trader inward the [Imo] River." Predicted Burton: "In a brusque fourth dimension he volition either live shot or he volition rhythm out downwardly all his rivals."
Burton's words proved prophetic. Ja Ja's successes incurred the jealousy of opponents who feared that, if left unchecked, his theater powerfulness contain most of the houses inward Bonny too thereby dominate its political too economical arena. Oko Jumbo, his bitterest opponent, was determined that such a prospect would never materialize.
Statue of King Jaja
Meanwhile, 2 developments occurred inward Bonny, serving to harden existing jealousies. First, inward 1864, Christianity was introduced into the city-state, farther polarizing the society. While the Manilla House welcomed the Christians with a warm embrace, the Anna House was opposed to the exotic religion. Not surprisingly, the missionaries sided with the Manilla House against the Anna House. Second, inward 1865, King William Pepple died and, with this, the competition for the throne betwixt the 2 royal houses took on a monstrous posture.
Three years later, inward 1868, Bonny was ravaged past times fire, too the Anna House was the worst hit. In the discomfiture of his opponent, Oko Jumbo saw his opportunity. Knowing that the burn downwardly had all but critically crippled Ja Ja's house, he sought every agency to provoke an opened upwardly conflict. On the other side, Ja Ja did everything to avoid such a conflict, but, every bit Dike states, "Oko Jumbo's eagerness to grab his powerful enemy unprepared prevailed."
On September 13, 1869, heavy fighting erupted betwixt the 2 royal houses. Outmatched inward men too armament, though non inward strategy, Ja Ja pulled out of Bonny, accepted defeat, too sued for peace with a suddenness that surprised both his adversaries too the European supercargoes. Peace palaver commenced too dragged on for weeks nether the auspices of the British consul. This was precisely what Ja Ja planned for. It presently became doubtful if the victors were non indeed the vanquished.
Ja Ja had sued for peace inward monastic say to gain fourth dimension to retreat from Bonny with his supporters with petty or no loss inward men too armament. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 master copy strategist, he relocated inward the Andoni province away from the seaboard at a strategic request at the oral cavity of the Imo river, the highway of merchandise betwixt the coastal communities too the palm-oil rich Kwa Iboe too Igbo country. There, he survived the initial problems of a virgin village every bit good every bit incessant attacks of his Bonny enemies.
In 1870, feeling reasonably secure, Ja Ja proclaimed the independence of his village which he named Opobo, after Opubu the Great, the illustrious Rex of Bonny too founder of Anna House who had died inward 1830. As Dike writes:
[I]t is feature of the human being that he had non entirely a sense of the occasion but of history… . Kingship was impossible of attainment for anyone of slave origins inward Bonny. Instead he sought to a greater extent than or less other dry ground where he could give total ambit to his boundless energies.
Long before the state of war of 1869, Ja Ja had been carefully planning to found his ain state. The state of war only provided him with the occasion to implement his design.
In naming his novel territory Opobo, Ja Ja was appealing to the nostalgia too historical consciousness of his followers piece giving them the impression that he was genuinely the heir of the celebrated king. That this impression was widespread too accepted past times most Bonny citizens may live judged from the fact that of the xviii houses inward Bonny, xiv followed Ja Ja to Opobo.
To no avail, the British consul tried to coerce Ja Ja to come upwardly dorsum to Bonny. Against the admonition of the consul, too inward the appear of Bonny's displeasure, many British firms began to merchandise openly with Opobo piece others transferred their depots there. By May of 1870, the Ja Ja revolution had driven the death-knell on Bonny's economy. British firms anchoring at that topographic point are said to take maintain lost an estimated £100,000 of merchandise past times mid-1870. The city-state cruel from grace to grass every bit Opobo, flourishing on its ashes, became inward Ofonagoro's words, "the most of import merchandise pump inward the Oil Rivers," too Ja Ja became "the greatest African living inward the due east of modern Nigeria."
For xviii years, Ja Ja ruled his kingdom with firmness too remarkable sagacity. He strengthened his relations with the hinterland palm-oil producers through judicious marriages too blood covenants which jump the parties into ritual kingship. He armed his traders with modern weapons for their ain defense strength too that of the state. He thus monopolized merchandise with the palm-oil producers too punished severely whatever community that tried to merchandise straight with the European supercargoes.
In 1873, the British recognized him every bit Rex of independent Opobo, too Ja Ja reciprocated past times sending a contingent of his soldiers to assist the British inward their state of war against the Ashanti kingdom inward the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Queen Victoria expressed her gratitude inward 1875 past times awarding him a sword of honor. It seemed a honeymoon had developed betwixt Opobo too Britain.
Ja Ja's reign has been described every bit a striking trial of selective modernization. He retained most of the sociopolitical too cultural institutions of Bonny, such every bit the theater system, too stuck steadfastly to the organized faith of his fathers, contestation that Christianity was a serious ferment of societal destabilization. While recognizing the value of Western instruction too literacy, he objected to its religious component. Thus, he sent his 2 sons to schoolhouse inward Scotland but insisted they acquire entirely secular education. He established a secular schoolhouse inward Opobo too employed an African-American, Emma White, to run it. An Englishman who visited Opobo inward 1885 stated that the criterion of the pupils inward the schoolhouse compared quite favorably with that of English linguistic communication children of the same age.
The honeymoon betwixt Ja Ja too the British turned out to live meteoric: the ultimate ambitions of the 2 ran at cross-purposes. Ja Ja guarded his independence jealously, had a tight traveling pocket on the interior markets too confined British traders to Opobo, away from these markets. He made for certain that the traders paid their comeys (customs too merchandise duties) every bit too when due.
But inward the 1880s, the clouds of British imperialism were closing inward menacingly on Opobo, the overthrow of indigenous sovereignties having been initiated past times John Beecroft, the kickoff British consul to Nigeria (1849-54). British imperialism had begun to assert itself forcefully; British officials on the spot were increasingly ignoring indigenous authorities, piece British traders had begun to insist on trading straight with the hinterland palm-oil producers. Ja Ja tackled these formidable problems judiciously too with restraint.
In July 1884, fearing High German intrusion inward the Delta, the British consul, Edward Hewett, rushed to the area, foisting treaties of protection on the indigenous sovereignties. With a veiled threat from a man-of-war, Ja Ja also was stampeded into placing his kingdom nether British protection. But dissimilar the other African monarchs, this was non before he had sought explanation for the intelligence "protectorate," too had been assured past times the consul that his independence would non live compromised. Hewett wrote to Ja Ja informing him, inter alia (among other things), that:
the queen does non want to convey your province or your markets, but at the same fourth dimension she is anxious that no other patch should convey them. She undertakes … [to] leave of absence your province soundless nether your government; she has no wishing to disturb your rule.
At Ja Ja's insistence, a clause providing for costless merchandise inward his kingdom was struck off before he agreed to sign the treaty.
The next year, European powers entered into the Treaty of Berlin which set the phase for the scramble too segmentation of Africa alongside themselves, without regard to the wishes of Africans. The treaty provided for costless navigation on River Niger too other rivers, such every bit the Imo, linked to it. On the footing of this, the British consul asserted that British firms were inside their rights to merchandise straight inward the interior palm-oil markets. That same year, 1885, United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland proclaimed the Oil Rivers Protectorate, which included Ja Ja's territory. Sending a delegation to the British secretarial assistant of states for the colonies to protestation these actions past times correct of the treaty of 1884, Ja Ja's protestation cruel on deaf ears. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 human being of his word, he was shocked at United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland reneging on her pledge.
Worse times were yet to come upwardly every bit political problems were compounded past times economical dispute. The 1880s witnessed a severe merchandise depression that ruined to a greater extent than or less of the European firms trading inward the Delta too threatened the survival of others. The surviving firms responded to the province of affairs inward 2 ways. First, they reached an understanding alongside themselves, though non with consummate unanimity, to offering depression prices for produce. Second, they claimed the correct to go straight to the interior markets inward monastic say to sidestep the coastal middlemen too cut down the handling cost of produce.
As would live expected, Ja Ja objected to these maneuvers too proceeded to ship his ain create straight to Europe. The British consul directed the European firms non to pay comey to Ja Ja anymore, contestation that inward transportation his create straight to Europe, he had forfeited his correct to have the payment. Once again, Ja Ja sent a delegation to United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland to protestation the consul too the traders' action. Once again, this was to no avail.
Under a threat of naval bombardment, Ja Ja signed an understanding with the British consul inward July 1887 to allow costless merchandise inward his territory. By now, he knew that Britain's royal ambition was growing rapidly, too he began transferring his resources farther into the Igbo hinterland, his birthplace. But every bit Elizabeth Isichei points out, "he was confronted with a province of affairs where courage too foresight were ultimately inward vain."
Harry Johnston, acting vice-consul, a immature hothead anxious to advance his colonial career, imagined that Ja Ja would live a perfect stepping-stone to attain his ambition. Arriving at Opobo on a man-of-war, Johnston invited Ja Ja for a intelligence on how to resolve the points of friction betwixt Opobo too the British traders too officials. Suspicious of Johnston's existent intentions, Ja Ja initially turned downwardly the invitation but was lured to convey with a hope of prophylactic render after the meeting. Said Johnston:
I hereby assure you lot that whether you lot convey or reject my proposals tomorrow, no restrictions volition live position on you lot - you lot volition live costless to go every bit presently every bit you lot take maintain heard my message.
But in 1 trial again the British reneged on their pledge: Ja Ja would non render to his kingdom alive. Once on board the warship Goshawk, Johnston confronted him with a deportation monastic say or the consummate devastation of Opobo. Nearly xviii years to the twenty-four hr catamenia when he pulled out of Bonny, Ja Ja was deported to the Gold Coast, tried, too declared guilty of actions inimical to Britain's interest. Still afraid of his charm too influence on the Gold Coast, fifty-fifty inward captivity, Johnston saw to it that he was deported to the West Indies, at St. Vincent Island.
With the leave of absence of Ja Ja, the most formidable obstruction to Britain's royal ambition inward Southeastern Nigeria had been removed. But the circumstances of his removal left a sour sense of savour inward for certain British mouths. Lord Salisbury, British prime number minister, could non assist criticizing Johnston, noting that inward other places Ja Ja's deportation would live called "kidnapping." Michael Crowder describes the trial every bit "one of the shabbiest incidents inward the history of Britain's relations with West Africa." Among the indigenous population, it left a deep too lasting scar of suspicion of Britain's expert faith and, for a long time, merchandise inward the expanse all but ceased.
In exile, Ja Ja is said to take maintain borne himself with kingly dignity. He made repeated appeals to United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland to allow him to render to Opobo. In 1891, his asking was granted, belatedly every bit it turned out: Ja Ja died on the Island of Teneriffe en road to Opobo, the kingdom built with his elbow grease too devotion. His people gladly paid the cost of repatriating his torso too spent a fortune celebrating his royal funeral.
Today, an imposing statue of Ja Ja stands inward the pump of Opobo with the inscription:
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Rex inward championship too inward deed. Always just too generous.
Further Reading
Burn, Alarn. History of Nigeria. George Allen & Unwin, 1929.
Dike, Kenneth O. Trade too Politics inward the Niger Delta, 1830-1885. Oxford University Press, 1956.
Isichei, Elizabeth. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 History of the Igbo People. Macmillan, 1976. Ogonagoro, Walter I. Trade too Imperialism inward Southern Nigeria, 1881-1929. Nok Publishers, 1979.
Source:http://www.answers.com/topic/ja-ja-of-opobo
women of Opobo
Portrait of Rex Jajah from Opobo inward the Niger delta inward his traditional Juju dress. Circa 1870-1880. As Martha G. Anderson too Lisa Aronson wrote “…he emulates, if non plays, the role of a local priest (a traditional potency figure upon which Ibani Ijo royalty came to live based) past times pouring libations. [...] Jaja’s pick of attire [...] was non entirely appropriate for the role he was playing, but deeply embedded inward Bonny royal tradition. The Eastern Ijo imported the Ijebu Yoruba stuff from the contrary side of the Niger Delta too renamed it ikakibite, or ‘cloth of the tortoise’.”
As far every bit Nigerian nationalist historiography is concerned, Jaja`s greatness could live found inward his principled resistance to unusual political control. Indeed, Fajana too Biggs (1976:137) depict Jaja every bit the kickoff Nigerian nationalist of the nineteenth century. Thus, Jaja’s principled oppositions to British influence inward the Niger Delta has largely been interpreted past times to a greater extent than or less historians every bit the precursors to Nigeria’s nationalist struggles.
Portrait of Rex Jajah with rappa. "Joja is resting his arm on a British-imported rattan chair, he wears a small-brimmed hat, too sports a suit jacket too shirt over a 'wrapper' a British-borrowed intelligence describing the stuff that covers the lower one-half of his body. [...] ...the plaid cloths draped over his correct shoulder too on the imported rattan chair are unquestionably Indian madras, a type of stuff the British were trading to the Ijo inward large quantities after 1850." (Martha G. Anderson too Lisa Aronson inward Schneider, Röschenthaler, Gardi: Fotofieber. Basel 2005. Original English linguistic communication version). Circa 1870-1888
However, Rotimi too Ogen (2008) argued that Jaja just similar Nana Olomu of itsekiri`s rigid opposition to unusual penetration too the vehement resistance against British imperialism were essentially informed past times their fervent want to protect past times all agency their considerable commercial interests. Contrasting Jaja too Nana with their contemporaries such every bit Sultan Attahiru of Sokoto, Oba Ovonramwen of Republic of Benin too Awujale Aboki Tunwase of Ijebuland, to advert but a few, who fought relentlessly to defend the corporate existence too political sovereignties of their respective kingdoms (Crowder 1968:134-136; Oduwobi 2004:34-36; Ayandele 1992: 21), Rotimi too Ogen (2008) concluded that "the wars that Jaja too Nana fought were basically merchandise wars meant for the protection of their trading monopolies. Hence, their greatest significance lies inward their roles every bit entrepreneurs cum super-merchants too non every bit proto-nationalists."
Whether Jaja was supporting his concern involvement past times fighting against the British or was genuinely fighting for the total emancipation of Opoboland, the cease final result was that Jaja succeeded inward creating serious troubles for the British imperialist past times proving that an African is capable of standing upwardly to whatever human being inward whatever plain of endeavor, irrespective of their race.
Jubo Jubogba, also known every bit Jo Jo Ubam past times the Igbo too every bit Jaja of Opobo, first, past times the Europeans too after past times most people, was born virtually 1821 inward Amaigbo hamlet inward the Orlu district of Eastern Nigeria (Isichei 1976:98). Though he was originally an Igbo enslaved person, he became acculturated into Bonny club so successfully that fifty-fifty his enemies agreed that his province was 1 of the best administered entities on the W coast of Africa during the pre-colonial era (Crowder 1968:119). Apart from his outstanding concern acumen, he had a keen understanding of Western values. He was fluent inward English linguistic communication too fifty-fifty sent 1 of his sons to a Glasgow school. He also set upwardly a secular schoolhouse inward his working capital alphabetic character too lived inward a European-style house, every bit did his chiefs. Jaja’s secular schoolhouse was nether the tutelage of a Kentucky born African American, Emma White who relocated to Opobo too fifty-fifty changed her holler to Emma Jaja (Isichei 1976:98; Ayandele 1966:81). In fact, Crowder (1968:119) states that “Jaja, ruler of a modest but rich state, was clearly inward the procedure of modernizing it independently of European rule”. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 British palm crude merchant, Alexander Cowan
went to Opobo for Alexander Miller Brother too Company inward 1887 too made the following
comments:
"There tin live no incertitude Ja-Ja was the most powerful potentate the
Oil Rivers ever produced. He was just every bit sharp too fore-seeing
every bit he was powerful…He could live stern, too he was strict, but he
was ever just, too the cast of authorities he set upwardly was every bit near
perfect every bit anything of its variety could be. Every human being had the right
of appeal, and, though inward outcome his ain potency was never
questioned, he conformed to his ain rules, too governed through
his council of chiefs (Pedler 1974:74)."
"Opobo: King Jaja's wives." Circa 1870 - 1888. (Niger Delta, Nigeria, Opobo) past times John Parkes Decker. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 grouping of women sitting too standing inward forepart of a house. The caption states that these women are Rex Jajah's wives. Three of the women sitting inward the forepart row vesture Western (Victorian) vogue clothes.
Interestingly, Jaja was a human being of prodigious powerfulness with a gifted too telling acumen. Within a few years of the foundation of Opobo, he rapidly drew the palm crude merchandise away from Bonny inward his role every bit middle-man betwixt the European merchants too the create sellers inward the interior (Pedler 1974:75). He also cleverly aligned with entirely Alexander Miller Brother too Company at the expense of several other British firms trading inward the Niger Delta. This motion led to vehement commercial rivalries alongside the British firms.
In 1884 other British firms apart from Alexander Miller felt that Jaja was profiting unduly at their expense. They thereafter came together too unilaterally fixed the cost of produce. Thus,Jaja retaliated past times breaking into the export trade, hitherto an exclusive save of the European firms. He succeeded inward transportation his palm oil to Birmingham, thereby becoming the kickoff Nigerian direct exporter of palm crude (Gertzel 1962:361-6; Pedler 1974:76). Furthermore, Jaja effectively pioneered Nigeria’s indigenous create export trade.
He utilized his immense wealth from the palm crude merchandise to acquire enormous political cum armed forces powerfulness to the extent that inward 1875 he sent to a greater extent than or less of his soldiers to assist the British during the prosecution of the Ashanti War inward the too then Gold Coast. For this wonderful support, Queen Victoria showed her appreciation past times presenting him with a sword of honor (Fajana too Biggs 1976:138).
Painting of King Jaja of Opobo (1821-91) c.1885
The merchandise depression inward England from the 1880s galvanized the British traders into assuming that their profits would increase phenomenally if they could checkmate Jaja’s middle-man’s role inward the eastern Niger Delta (Isichei 1976:99). In monastic say to attain this objective, they systematically sought the assistance of the British Consul. Thus, inward 1884, Consul Hewett asked Jaja to sign a treaty placing his territory nether British protection. Jaja agreed, but entirely on the status that the clauses which stipulated costless merchandise too costless access to all parts of the territory for Europeans traders should live expunged (Cookey 1974). Consul Hewett reluctantly agreed too deleted the offensive clauses, but a yr after the British declared a Protectorate over the territory of the Gulf of Guinea. Apart from frowning at this Declaration, Jaja completely rejected the provisions for costless merchandise (Pedler 1974:76-77 too Fajana too Biggs 1976:138).
Thereafter, the British defendant Jaja of terrorism, of organizing armed attacks too of obstructing merchandise too the waterways. In 1887, the novel Vice-Consul, Harry Johnston recommended his deportation which was at nowadays approved past times the British Foreign Office. Johnston after invited him to a naval vessel for discussions too promised that Jaja would live costless to leave of absence whenever he wished, but he dishonorably broke his pledge. Jaja was taken to Accra where he was tried. The judgement was deportation for 5 years inward the West Indies. Jaja appealed against the deportation monastic say through the assistance of a British Officer, Major Macdonald who felt that Jaja had been unjustly treated. He won the appeal, too his judgement was revoked but his anticipated triumphal home-coming could non live actualized; he died on the way (Fajana too Biggs 1976:138-9; Pedler 1974:76-7). Lord Salisbury, the British Prime Minister deeply regretted the handling meted to Jaja, too insisted that inward civilized lands, those that deported him would take maintain been tried for kidnapping (Crowder 1968:121).
Jaja’s novel too entrepreneurial prowess is meaning inward many respects. Though political historians are ready to situate his resistance to British imperialism inside the purview of the history of Nigeria’s nationalist struggles, too to underscore the fact that he was the kickoff Nigerian nationalist of the nineteenth century (Fajana too Biggs 1976:137); this nowadays report is, however, to a greater extent than interested inward Jaja’s display of a remarkably high character of economical wizardry too entrepreneurship. As noted earlier, he was daring too adventurous inward his conclusion to ship palm crude direct to England. He also refused to allow British traders whatever access to his hinterland markets too insisted on levying duties on British merchants trading inward his kingdom. At a point, at that topographic point was consummate stoppage of merchandise with British traders inward his kingdom until 1 British firm,
Alexander Miller, agreed to merchandise on his terms (Crowder 1968:120; Pedler 1974:76-7).
His trading policies alarmed other British firms trading inward the Niger Delta with the exception of Alexander Miller Brother too Company, which prospered too had stations throughout southern Nigeria partly because it co-operated with Jaja. It is, however, instructive to depository fiscal establishment annotation that the other 8 firms that were virulently opposed to his policies ‘ganged’ upwardly to cast the African Association which was incorporated inward 1889. Hence, it was this African Association too a few other firms that eventually formed the United African Company (UAC) inward 1929 (Pedler 1974:1, 78 too 139). Thus, the history of the origins of the UAC would non live consummate without adequate reference to the intense commercial rivalries betwixt Jaja too the theater of Alexander Miller who were contemptuously referred to every bit the agents of Jaja past times the other firms, on the one
hand, too the other 8 British firms inward opposition to Jaja, on the other (Ogen 2006:20).
Jaja inward council
Reference: Rotimi K too Ogen O (2008). "Jaja too Nana inward the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Proto-Nationalists or Emergent Capitalists," The Journal of Pan African Studies, 2008 vol.2, no.7.
Biography of Jaja Opobo
Jubo Jubogba, also known every bit Jo Jo Ubam past times the Igbo too every bit Jaja of Opobo, first, past times the
Europeans too after past times most people, was born virtually 1821 at Úmuduruõha, Amaigbo hamlet inward the Orlu district, at nowadays Imo State of Eastern Nigeria (Isichei 1976:98). At nativity he was given a native Igbo holler Mbanaso Okwaraozurumba too was the tertiary boy of his parents, the Okwaraozurumba.
According to different oral sources, Jaja was sold into slavery inward the Niger Delta nether circumstances which are far from clear. One version of the oral traditions says that he was sold because, every bit a baby, he cutting the upper teeth first, an abominable phenomenon inward traditional Igbo society. Another version claims that he was captured too sold past times his father's enemy. Regardless, he was bought past times Chief Iganipughuma Allison of Bonny, past times far the most powerful city-state on the Atlantic coast of Southeastern Nigeria before the ascent of Opobo.
Painting of Jaja of Opobo, anheuser-busch.com
To follow the Ja Ja storey or, indeed, revolution, an explanatory depository fiscal establishment annotation is necessary. Until the cease of the 19th century, the Delta communities played a crucial role inward European too American merchandise with Nigeria. Acting every bit middlemen, these communities carried into the interior markets the merchandise goods of European too American supercargoes stationed on the coast too brought dorsum inward central the export create of the hinterland, basically palm oil. As the Delta is dominated past times saline swamps too crisscrossed past times a labyrinth of creeks too rivers, the canoe was indispensable for trade.
The Delta club was organized inward Canoe Houses. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Canoe House was the pin of social arrangement too also, notes K.O. Dike, "a cooperative trading unit of measurement too a local authorities institution." It was commonly composed of a wealthy merchant (its founder), his family, too numerous slaves owned past times him. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 prosperous theater could comprise several grand members, both costless too bonded, owning hundreds of merchandise canoes. In this intensely competitive society, leadership past times merit - non past times nativity or ascriptions - was necessary if a theater was to brand headway inward the turbulent, cut-throat competition that existed betwixt houses. Any mortal with the charisma too proven ability, fifty-fifty if of servile birth, could ascent to the leadership of a house, but could never go king. Ja Ja would attain this, too much more.
Finding immature Ja Ja also headstrong for his liking, Chief Allison made a gift of him to his friend, Madu, a main of the Anna Pepple House, 1 of the 2 houses of the royal identify unit of measurement (the other existence the Manilla Pepple House). Ja Ja was slotted into the lowest rung of the Bonny slave club ladder, that of an imported slave, distinct from that of someone who was of slave parentage but born inward the Delta.
As a youth, he worked every bit a paddler on his owner's corking merchandise canoes, traveling to too from the inland markets. Quite early, he demonstrated special abilities too concern acumen, apace identified with the Ijo custom of the Delta, too won the hearts of the local people every bit good every bit those of the European supercargoes. It was unusual for a slave of his status to brand the transition from canoe paddling to trading, but Ja Ja - through his honesty, concern sense, too amiability - presently became prosperous.
For a long while, Ja Ja turned his dorsum on Bonny politics, concentrating his immense energies on accumulating wealth through trade, the unmarried most of import criterion to powerfulness inward the Delta. At the time, Bonny politics were volatile every bit a final result of the irreconcilable too acrimonious competition for supremacy betwixt the Manilla Pepple House too the Anna Pepple House to which Ja Ja belonged. Coincidentally, both houses were led past times remarkable characters of Igbo slave origins - Oko Jumbo of the Manilla House too Madu (after him Alali his son) of the Anna House.
In 1863, Alali died, bequeathing to his theater a frightening debt of betwixt £10,000 too £15,000 owed to European supercargoes. Fearing bankruptcy, all of the eligible chiefs of the theater declined nomination to caput it. It was thus a corking relief when Ja Ja accepted to create total the void. With feature energy, he proceeded to position his theater inward monastic say past times reorganizing its finances. Conscious that the palm-oil markets inward the hinterland too the wealth of the European trading community on the coast constituted the pin of the Delta economy, he ingratiated himself with both sides. In a affair of 2 years, he had liquidated the debt left behind past times his predecessor too launched his theater on the path of prosperity. When less prosperous too insolvent houses sought incorporation into the Anna House, Ja Ja gradually absorbed 1 theater after another.
By 1867, his remarkable success had go mutual cognition throughout Bonny. The British consul to the area, Sir Richard Burton, had crusade to remark that although Ja Ja was the "son of an unknown bush man," he had go "the most influential human being too greatest trader inward the [Imo] River." Predicted Burton: "In a brusque fourth dimension he volition either live shot or he volition rhythm out downwardly all his rivals."
Burton's words proved prophetic. Ja Ja's successes incurred the jealousy of opponents who feared that, if left unchecked, his theater powerfulness contain most of the houses inward Bonny too thereby dominate its political too economical arena. Oko Jumbo, his bitterest opponent, was determined that such a prospect would never materialize.
Statue of King Jaja
Meanwhile, 2 developments occurred inward Bonny, serving to harden existing jealousies. First, inward 1864, Christianity was introduced into the city-state, farther polarizing the society. While the Manilla House welcomed the Christians with a warm embrace, the Anna House was opposed to the exotic religion. Not surprisingly, the missionaries sided with the Manilla House against the Anna House. Second, inward 1865, King William Pepple died and, with this, the competition for the throne betwixt the 2 royal houses took on a monstrous posture.
Three years later, inward 1868, Bonny was ravaged past times fire, too the Anna House was the worst hit. In the discomfiture of his opponent, Oko Jumbo saw his opportunity. Knowing that the burn downwardly had all but critically crippled Ja Ja's house, he sought every agency to provoke an opened upwardly conflict. On the other side, Ja Ja did everything to avoid such a conflict, but, every bit Dike states, "Oko Jumbo's eagerness to grab his powerful enemy unprepared prevailed."
On September 13, 1869, heavy fighting erupted betwixt the 2 royal houses. Outmatched inward men too armament, though non inward strategy, Ja Ja pulled out of Bonny, accepted defeat, too sued for peace with a suddenness that surprised both his adversaries too the European supercargoes. Peace palaver commenced too dragged on for weeks nether the auspices of the British consul. This was precisely what Ja Ja planned for. It presently became doubtful if the victors were non indeed the vanquished.
Ja Ja had sued for peace inward monastic say to gain fourth dimension to retreat from Bonny with his supporters with petty or no loss inward men too armament. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 master copy strategist, he relocated inward the Andoni province away from the seaboard at a strategic request at the oral cavity of the Imo river, the highway of merchandise betwixt the coastal communities too the palm-oil rich Kwa Iboe too Igbo country. There, he survived the initial problems of a virgin village every bit good every bit incessant attacks of his Bonny enemies.
In 1870, feeling reasonably secure, Ja Ja proclaimed the independence of his village which he named Opobo, after Opubu the Great, the illustrious Rex of Bonny too founder of Anna House who had died inward 1830. As Dike writes:
[I]t is feature of the human being that he had non entirely a sense of the occasion but of history… . Kingship was impossible of attainment for anyone of slave origins inward Bonny. Instead he sought to a greater extent than or less other dry ground where he could give total ambit to his boundless energies.
Long before the state of war of 1869, Ja Ja had been carefully planning to found his ain state. The state of war only provided him with the occasion to implement his design.
In naming his novel territory Opobo, Ja Ja was appealing to the nostalgia too historical consciousness of his followers piece giving them the impression that he was genuinely the heir of the celebrated king. That this impression was widespread too accepted past times most Bonny citizens may live judged from the fact that of the xviii houses inward Bonny, xiv followed Ja Ja to Opobo.
To no avail, the British consul tried to coerce Ja Ja to come upwardly dorsum to Bonny. Against the admonition of the consul, too inward the appear of Bonny's displeasure, many British firms began to merchandise openly with Opobo piece others transferred their depots there. By May of 1870, the Ja Ja revolution had driven the death-knell on Bonny's economy. British firms anchoring at that topographic point are said to take maintain lost an estimated £100,000 of merchandise past times mid-1870. The city-state cruel from grace to grass every bit Opobo, flourishing on its ashes, became inward Ofonagoro's words, "the most of import merchandise pump inward the Oil Rivers," too Ja Ja became "the greatest African living inward the due east of modern Nigeria."
For xviii years, Ja Ja ruled his kingdom with firmness too remarkable sagacity. He strengthened his relations with the hinterland palm-oil producers through judicious marriages too blood covenants which jump the parties into ritual kingship. He armed his traders with modern weapons for their ain defense strength too that of the state. He thus monopolized merchandise with the palm-oil producers too punished severely whatever community that tried to merchandise straight with the European supercargoes.
In 1873, the British recognized him every bit Rex of independent Opobo, too Ja Ja reciprocated past times sending a contingent of his soldiers to assist the British inward their state of war against the Ashanti kingdom inward the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Queen Victoria expressed her gratitude inward 1875 past times awarding him a sword of honor. It seemed a honeymoon had developed betwixt Opobo too Britain.
Ja Ja's reign has been described every bit a striking trial of selective modernization. He retained most of the sociopolitical too cultural institutions of Bonny, such every bit the theater system, too stuck steadfastly to the organized faith of his fathers, contestation that Christianity was a serious ferment of societal destabilization. While recognizing the value of Western instruction too literacy, he objected to its religious component. Thus, he sent his 2 sons to schoolhouse inward Scotland but insisted they acquire entirely secular education. He established a secular schoolhouse inward Opobo too employed an African-American, Emma White, to run it. An Englishman who visited Opobo inward 1885 stated that the criterion of the pupils inward the schoolhouse compared quite favorably with that of English linguistic communication children of the same age.
The honeymoon betwixt Ja Ja too the British turned out to live meteoric: the ultimate ambitions of the 2 ran at cross-purposes. Ja Ja guarded his independence jealously, had a tight traveling pocket on the interior markets too confined British traders to Opobo, away from these markets. He made for certain that the traders paid their comeys (customs too merchandise duties) every bit too when due.
But inward the 1880s, the clouds of British imperialism were closing inward menacingly on Opobo, the overthrow of indigenous sovereignties having been initiated past times John Beecroft, the kickoff British consul to Nigeria (1849-54). British imperialism had begun to assert itself forcefully; British officials on the spot were increasingly ignoring indigenous authorities, piece British traders had begun to insist on trading straight with the hinterland palm-oil producers. Ja Ja tackled these formidable problems judiciously too with restraint.
In July 1884, fearing High German intrusion inward the Delta, the British consul, Edward Hewett, rushed to the area, foisting treaties of protection on the indigenous sovereignties. With a veiled threat from a man-of-war, Ja Ja also was stampeded into placing his kingdom nether British protection. But dissimilar the other African monarchs, this was non before he had sought explanation for the intelligence "protectorate," too had been assured past times the consul that his independence would non live compromised. Hewett wrote to Ja Ja informing him, inter alia (among other things), that:
the queen does non want to convey your province or your markets, but at the same fourth dimension she is anxious that no other patch should convey them. She undertakes … [to] leave of absence your province soundless nether your government; she has no wishing to disturb your rule.
At Ja Ja's insistence, a clause providing for costless merchandise inward his kingdom was struck off before he agreed to sign the treaty.
The next year, European powers entered into the Treaty of Berlin which set the phase for the scramble too segmentation of Africa alongside themselves, without regard to the wishes of Africans. The treaty provided for costless navigation on River Niger too other rivers, such every bit the Imo, linked to it. On the footing of this, the British consul asserted that British firms were inside their rights to merchandise straight inward the interior palm-oil markets. That same year, 1885, United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland proclaimed the Oil Rivers Protectorate, which included Ja Ja's territory. Sending a delegation to the British secretarial assistant of states for the colonies to protestation these actions past times correct of the treaty of 1884, Ja Ja's protestation cruel on deaf ears. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 human being of his word, he was shocked at United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland reneging on her pledge.
Worse times were yet to come upwardly every bit political problems were compounded past times economical dispute. The 1880s witnessed a severe merchandise depression that ruined to a greater extent than or less of the European firms trading inward the Delta too threatened the survival of others. The surviving firms responded to the province of affairs inward 2 ways. First, they reached an understanding alongside themselves, though non with consummate unanimity, to offering depression prices for produce. Second, they claimed the correct to go straight to the interior markets inward monastic say to sidestep the coastal middlemen too cut down the handling cost of produce.
As would live expected, Ja Ja objected to these maneuvers too proceeded to ship his ain create straight to Europe. The British consul directed the European firms non to pay comey to Ja Ja anymore, contestation that inward transportation his create straight to Europe, he had forfeited his correct to have the payment. Once again, Ja Ja sent a delegation to United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland to protestation the consul too the traders' action. Once again, this was to no avail.
Under a threat of naval bombardment, Ja Ja signed an understanding with the British consul inward July 1887 to allow costless merchandise inward his territory. By now, he knew that Britain's royal ambition was growing rapidly, too he began transferring his resources farther into the Igbo hinterland, his birthplace. But every bit Elizabeth Isichei points out, "he was confronted with a province of affairs where courage too foresight were ultimately inward vain."
Harry Johnston, acting vice-consul, a immature hothead anxious to advance his colonial career, imagined that Ja Ja would live a perfect stepping-stone to attain his ambition. Arriving at Opobo on a man-of-war, Johnston invited Ja Ja for a intelligence on how to resolve the points of friction betwixt Opobo too the British traders too officials. Suspicious of Johnston's existent intentions, Ja Ja initially turned downwardly the invitation but was lured to convey with a hope of prophylactic render after the meeting. Said Johnston:
I hereby assure you lot that whether you lot convey or reject my proposals tomorrow, no restrictions volition live position on you lot - you lot volition live costless to go every bit presently every bit you lot take maintain heard my message.
tourists dressed inward traditional Ijaw clothes at the Statue of King Jaja of Opobo
But in 1 trial again the British reneged on their pledge: Ja Ja would non render to his kingdom alive. Once on board the warship Goshawk, Johnston confronted him with a deportation monastic say or the consummate devastation of Opobo. Nearly xviii years to the twenty-four hr catamenia when he pulled out of Bonny, Ja Ja was deported to the Gold Coast, tried, too declared guilty of actions inimical to Britain's interest. Still afraid of his charm too influence on the Gold Coast, fifty-fifty inward captivity, Johnston saw to it that he was deported to the West Indies, at St. Vincent Island.
With the leave of absence of Ja Ja, the most formidable obstruction to Britain's royal ambition inward Southeastern Nigeria had been removed. But the circumstances of his removal left a sour sense of savour inward for certain British mouths. Lord Salisbury, British prime number minister, could non assist criticizing Johnston, noting that inward other places Ja Ja's deportation would live called "kidnapping." Michael Crowder describes the trial every bit "one of the shabbiest incidents inward the history of Britain's relations with West Africa." Among the indigenous population, it left a deep too lasting scar of suspicion of Britain's expert faith and, for a long time, merchandise inward the expanse all but ceased.
In exile, Ja Ja is said to take maintain borne himself with kingly dignity. He made repeated appeals to United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland to allow him to render to Opobo. In 1891, his asking was granted, belatedly every bit it turned out: Ja Ja died on the Island of Teneriffe en road to Opobo, the kingdom built with his elbow grease too devotion. His people gladly paid the cost of repatriating his torso too spent a fortune celebrating his royal funeral.
Today, an imposing statue of Ja Ja stands inward the pump of Opobo with the inscription:
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Rex inward championship too inward deed. Always just too generous.
Burn, Alarn. History of Nigeria. George Allen & Unwin, 1929.
Dike, Kenneth O. Trade too Politics inward the Niger Delta, 1830-1885. Oxford University Press, 1956.
Isichei, Elizabeth. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 History of the Igbo People. Macmillan, 1976. Ogonagoro, Walter I. Trade too Imperialism inward Southern Nigeria, 1881-1929. Nok Publishers, 1979.
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women of Opobo
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