A delegation of the Midwest Forum, led by former governor of the defunct Bendel State Dr Sam Ogbemudia, has raised concern over the ‘neglect’ of the Nanna Living History Musuem, Koko, Delta State, writes Shola O’Neil, Southsouth Regional Editor.
His exploits were so outstanding that till today, a chapter is dedicated to the Itsekiri icon in the British Home Office.
At a point, the British were surprised that there was an individual who was richer than the government. At that time, the great Nanna of Koko had £850,000 with Standard Bank, when the government had about £350,000.
Back home in Koko, Delta State, there is a musuem in honour of this great man. The musuem, however, is not getting the kind of attention that befits a man of Nanna’s status.
This was part of the concern of the former Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr Osaigbovo Samuel Ogbemudia, when he led a team to the Nanna Living History Museum in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area. It was initially billed as a private visit to the historical site, but it became a carnival of sort and an opportunity to pay tribute to a nationalist, who fought against colonialism in the 19th century.
Ogbemudia, Chairman of the Midwest Consultative Forum, is arguably the most successful administrator of the Midwest Region and later Bendel State. His visit was on the behest of the Pa JOS Ayomike-led Itsekiri Leaders.
Although he was still visibly in pain from the accident that kept him out of the country for several months, the former Military Administrator refused to allow his physical condition get in the way of his visit.
His first port of call was to the Warri Local Government secretariat for a courtesy visit on the chairman of the interim council, Deacon David Edun. Recalling his earlier visits, Gen Ogbemudia expressed joy that Koko, “a former ‘cocoyam farmland’ has not only become an idyllic countryside but also a veritable soil for planting and harvesting vital memories”.
From the secretariat the team, comprising members of the Midwest forum paid a courtesy visit on the traditional head of Koko, Olare-Aja Victor Nanna, a grandson of Chief Nanna Olomu, the late Governor of Benin River in the 19th century.
At Olare-Aja’s palace, the spokesperson of Koko, Mr O.J Nanna, praised the achievements of Ogbemudia during his time as Military Administrator of the Midwest Region and later governor of Bendel State, remarking: “We can still see your handwork in the entire Warri.”
Pa Ayomike explained that Ogbemudia heard about the Nanna Living History Museum and decided to visit it.
“He came as a leader of the Midwest Forum and Itsekiri Leaders of Thought is a part of that body which he leads,” he explained.
Ogbemudia told the over 90-year-old Olare-Aja that the forum comprising leaders of ethnic groups of the defunct region, came together to foster the interest of the old Midwest assuring that the forum would continue to do that with the support of the people.
He paid tribute to the resilience of the Itsekiri ethnic group, noting that although small in number, they are able to control their affairs and make impact in the larger society.
“The Itsekiri nation is a strong entity that has shown many times that quality is better than quantity.”
Ogbemudia was accompanied by leaders of the various ethnic groups in the forum, including Mike Usigwe and Peter Udomo (Isoko), Chief Gabriel Ofotoku (Urhobo) and Chief Robert Ogunkoru (Ijaw) as well as Chief Isaac Jemide, Dr Alex Ideh, Mr Edward Ekpoko, AS Mene and Dr (Mrs) PEB Uku, former Director General of the Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER).
He remarked that the history of Koko was well known all over the world, particularly on the exploits and achievement of Nanna, noting that a chapter is dedicated to the Itsekiri icon in the British Home Office.
Recalling the history of Nanna, he said: “The British then were surprised that there was an individual who was richer than the government. At a stage he had £850,000 with Standard Bank, when the government had about £350,000.”
He said the Itsekiri nation and indeed Nigerians should be proud of the feat of Nanna, who later resisted the British invasion leading to his exile in Accra in Gold Coast (today Ghana). “We pray that footprint Nanna left on the sand of time will never fade. Those working hard to make it visible will long enough to continue to do it.”
He urged Pa Ayomike and others to “tell the young ones stories so that they can put them down. All the stories my father told me I put them down. Today when I read it I laugh because some of the English were not correct. But it helps me to know about our history. Koko was a great country; it took a lot of effort for the British invaders to do what they did.”
At the Iwere College, which Ogbemudia established in 1970, he was greeted by a large crowd of cheering students, teachers and management of the college. They all came out to thank him for his ‘gift’ 43 years earlier.
The Principal of the school, Mrs EO Sagay, said: “Father, the school you established in 1970 and its various associates have made giant strides in producing notable personalities who have made their marks in Nigerian and beyond. The products of this school have distinguished themselves in the areas of education, medicine, law, politics, technology, engineering etc.”
The delegation was later treated to various cultural displays by students of the school, who were also celebrating their end-of-year party and cultural day.
The highpoint of the tour was a tour of the Nanna Living History Museum under the guidance of Pa Ayomike, who explained the history of some of the artefacts and the Nanna Family tree from the 19th century to modern day.
Among the items on display at the museum were canons and dane guns, rapiers, mace and other symbol of authority of the great Nanna. There were also collections of his personal belongings, cutlery sets, cooking utensils, canoe and paddles all over a century old.
Speaking with Niger Delta Report on the import of the visit, Ayomike lamented government’s negligence of historical sites, like the museum. He said patronage was important to keep the facility going and also serve as a tourists’ attraction not only to Koko but the state and Nigeria.
“Shakespeare lived about 600 years ago; I visited his home and I saw the bed in which he was born. When you get to Washington DC, you will find George Washington living. He could be grandfather of Nanna. Visit his home, you will find his bed, the books he used in school.”
Mr Amorighoye Mene said the rousing reception for Gen Ogbemudia should be instructive for Nigerian politicians on the need to leave behind legacies that would outlive their times in office and even their life time.
“This is a man who left political office nearly 30 years ago, yet see how he was revered in Koko because of the good deeds and legacies of infrastructure and policies he left behind. Most of our politicians of today would be pelted with rock when they leave office because their legacies are corruption and mismanagement of their peoples’ resources.”
