The Kalabari Kingdom is an Ijaw ethnic group in the Niger Delta sub-region and situated in the present Rivers State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Kalabari nation is economically viable and its contributions to the economic well being of the Nigerian state cannot be overemphasized.
The Kalabari ethnic nationality which is currently under the watchful eyes of HM King (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill, Amachree XI is made of three (3) major city states of Bakana, Abonnema and Buguma, and over one hundred and fifty (150) towns, villages and settlements.
Prior to this time the Kalabari towns and villages are known for their peaceful nature. Every Kalabari community is an island, thus a tourist attraction.
The people of Kalabari kingdom are civilized, educated and had their first (1st) university graduate in year 1909 in person of Mr. J.A. Batubo. The Buguma community, headquarters of the Kalabari nation hosts the first (1st) indigenous secondary school in the old Rivers State which is known as Kalabari National College.
The first (1st) commercial school in the old Rivers State is also situates on the Kalabari land. Even as at 1874 the Kalabari kingdom has a primary school. If the Kalabari nation was violent in the past it would not have attracted two major institutions in the East of the Niger Delta. It is also on record that the Kalabari had hosted a technical institute at Hopakiri in the early Nineteeth (19th) century.
Whether you agree with me or not the Kalabari man is a polished individual that do not want any of his communities to be extinct.
Penultimate Saturday, I was at Bakana, a principal and a coastal ancient community in Kalabari kingdom to witness the Supreme Court victory rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the area. The victory rally was attended by chieftains of the party across the LGA.
Shortly after the rally, armed gunmen stormed the area and shot sporadically which forced many to run for safety.
Bakana is a community without a police post and military presence. The security situation in the community is porous. Bakana is not the only Kalabari community that experiences the insecurity situation, there are so many towns and villages under the Kalabari kingdom that do not have police stations. The Kalabari community is not safe, residents are living in perpetual fear. The primary aim of any government is to protect life and property. The government and the relevant agencies should try as much as possible to ensure that all the communities in Kalabari kingdom enjoy adequate security of life and property. ###
Damiete West
08037502931
wdamiete@yahoo.com
