KING JAJA OF OPOBO

King Jaja of Opobo was born Mbanaso Okwaraozurumba in Umuduruoha, Amaigbo (present day Imo State) in the year 1821. He was sold into slavery and taken to Bonny Island (present day Rivers state) under circumstances which are far from clear.

He was renamed Jubo Jubogha by his first master, Chief Iganipughuma Allison of Bonny, and later resold to Chief Alali who was the head of the Opubo Manilla Pepple Royal House. It was here that the British who couldn’t pronounce his name called him “Jaja”.

Jaja worked for Chief Alali and ran businesses on the side until he was able to buy his freedom. He was soon recognized as one of the smartest businessmen in the city and became one of the greatest leaders of the head of Anna Pepple house.

Later on, a power struggle ensued in the houses at Bonny led by Pepple House’s High Chief Oko Jumbo which led to the breakaway of a fraction led by Jaja. He established a new settlement which he named Opobo in 1869 where he became King Jaja of Opobo.

By Esan People Blog