How Itsekiris Came To Sapele -By Dr. Ejiro Imuere

Just as Olu Erejuwa II leased Lands from Chief Eboh father of Okumagba in 1962 to build the Itsekiri Sociocultural Cooperative Building, evidence which was later tendered by Chief Okumagba against him, and consequently win Okere Urhobo lands from the overlordship of the Olu, thereby setting up his own kingdom, it was the leases made by the Earliest Itsekiri settlers in Sapele from their Okpe Landlord in and around Sapele Township, that made judge Jackson to grant victory to the Okpes in 1942.

Now who were those earliest Itsekiris to lease lands from their Okpe Landlords in Sapelele?

Before the Fall of Nana in 1894.

Before the fall of Nana in 1894, only one Itsekiri lived in Sapele, his name was ASAGBA (Not the Asagba of Amukpe, Please).
He was banished from Ebrohimi by Olomu, Nana’s father, for short changing him in trade matters.

He thus went to Sapele and met Late Chief Evwida,(Late chief Ayomanor’s father), who was his personal friend.
Chief Evwida was the First Head of all Okpes in Sapele.
And on Presentation of bottle of Ogogoro drink and Kolanuts, he was given a piece of land to stay and farm.
So he was the first ever Itsekiri man to inhabit Sapele.

Year 1894 and after.
In the year 1894, the British waged War against Nana of Ebrohimi, they laid a blockade, bombed Ebrohimi and captured the city.
British records says there were about 5,000 friends, Slaves and Servants of Nana.

Many of these fled to Sapele, to meet the Okpes, who used to be their Customers and friends. By this time, Evwida was dead and so the Head Chief of the Okpes was one Ofotokun.
They were led by one Igbubemi, Nana’s Chief servant and an inlaw to Nana also, because he married one of his daughters to Nana.

Chief Ofotokun received them and gave them a large tract of land to settle for free.
Ofotokun refused to collect money because they were fugitives, that should not be taken advantage of.

Now after Ofotokun died, the next Head Chief of the Okpe People in Sapele was Chief Ogodo Okubor.

It was his time that the white men came to lease lands for money and he made the first leases to the Colonial Consular Government as early as 1902.
Most of the earlier leases made by Ofotokun were before 1902 were free.

Itsekiris of Amukpe.
While many Itsekiris fled to Sapele, a few from the Sagay and Omatseye family fled to Amukpe.
They were received by Chief Odjegba Father of Chief Asagba of Amuokpe who gave them lands to settle and farm provided they will never challenge his authority as their Landlords.

Leases Made by Chief Ayomanor.
By 1929, Chief Ayomanor has become the Head of all Okpes, and Chief Omarin as his Assistant, these men made the following Leases:

1) First Baptist Church to Rev. Aghogin Omatsola.
2).Mr. Amatotsero Ikomi(Head of Itsekiris in Sapele from 1932 to 1945) adjacent to First Baptist Church.
3) Madam Obirenyo Otsamayo
4) Madam Misan Emeteremo
5). Madam Maranjubo
6) Madam Eyione.
7) Mr. J.O Erimona
😎.Maku and Etikon
9) Erewa Oritsetseye
10)Mr. Omabewo.

All ten (10) above made leases for Money and Paid rents annually to Chief Ayomanor before he died in 1949.

Documents of these leases were all tendered by Chief Ayomanor and Omarin in the famous Sapele Land case of 1942.

So people like Reuben Dogun and his co dreamers must verify what they post on Facebook.

Source:
Record of Proceedings of the Sapele Land case of 1942.

I remain Dr Imuere Ejiro, Urhobo activist.