Again, IJaghala Community Reaffirms Gbaramatu Ancestry, Debunks Reports of Olu Lordship

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The People of IJaghala Community, formerly known as (Zou-ala Uba), in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have officially pledged their allegiance to Gbaramatu Kingdom.

The leadership, youth and women of the community made the open declaration on Friday, June 13, 2025 in a statement during a press conference which was signed by Chief Samuel Eyengho, the Tieyemieowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Mr. Sunday Akpafunolire, Mr. Willson Abeson, youth President, Mrs Grace Remere Ukunorisemofe, Mrs Dolor Utseoritse Laju, Mrs Ebi Jolomi, Mrs Mary Usangbajumi at the Egbegha Community Town Hall.

Speaking further, the community leadership said it was an age-long
misrepresentation that people erroneously referred ljaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community as an Ugborodo Community
instead of being Gbaramatu Community which was founded
by their ancestors in about the 11th century.

According to the community leadership, Oweizibiri, the father of Egbegha had earlier settled with other ljaw indigenes in Amadino (Omadino) before he left his kinsmen to settle in Ikantu, citing that after several years, Egbegha relocated from Ikantu to Oporoza from where he moved to Zou-Ala Uba and lived permanently.

The community leadership, however, pledged their allegiance to His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaram II, (JP) Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area.

The statement stated, “We, the undersigned for ourselves and on behalf of the entire people of ljaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, wish to address the press in respect of an age-long
misrepresentation of ljaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community as an Ugborodo Community
instead of a Community that originated from Gbaramatu Kingdom which was founded
by our ancestors in about the 11th century.

“ljaghala used to be a fishing and palm wine tapping camp of Gbaramatu forebears
before Egbegha was born and prior to the existence of Ugborodo. It has been called Zou-Ala Uba because of the distance from the entrance to other adjoining creeks and
creeklets.

“Oweizibiri, the father of Egbegha had earlier settled with other ljaw indigenes in Amadino (Omadino) before he left his kinsmen to settle in Ikantu. After several years, Egbegha relocated from Ikantu to Oporoza from where he moved to Zou-Ala Uba and
lived permanently.

“Despite the fact that so many great men of Gbaramatu Kingdom
had lived in Zou-Ala Uba and engaged in their natural occupation of fishing, hunting,
and palm wine tapping, Egbegha’s permanent stay in Zou-Ala Uba, made him known as the founder of the community. He died as an old man and was buried in Oporoza, the Traditional Headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“After Egbegha had settled at his new found community, he took a wife from Ugborodo by name Erigbawewenimara and the marriage had two children namely
Egogo and Asako. While growing up these children were closer to their Ugborodo mother who spoke Itsekiri dialect with them. In turn, Egogo also married
Itsekiri women brought them to ljagbala (Zou-Ala Uba), Egogo through his marriage gave birth to a number of children, who also spoke Itsekiri dialect.

“This is how the Itsekiri dialect became spoken by some of Ijaghala people and thus the community became affiliated to Itsekiri ethnic group.From the above, without mincing words Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) is an Ijaw community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State.

“The general Public, Local government, Federal-Government and the International Community should take note that Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community in Gbaramatu Kingdom is an jaw community and is never, was never and will never be part of
Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

“This press conference is in tandem with our earlier publication made by ljaghala elders about the history of ljaghala people published (Sunday Vanguard Page 20, November 2, 2008).

“To our greatest dismay, somne of the descendants of Egbegha and Egogo still engage in
alienating their paternal ancestral Gbaramatu land to their maternal Ugborodo Community.

“We strongly condemn the attitudes of these persons which have been causing problems among our kiths and kin in the Oporoza community, Gbaramatu Kingdom and the larger Ijaw nation. From the foregoing, we want to categorically state and inform the general public, local, state, and federal governments and the international community that Ijaghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community having an ancestral lineage with Gbaramatu kingdom in
Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State and will continue to affirm and
remain in the traditional institution of the Gbaramatu kingdom. Finally, we hereby pledge.
Thank you and God bless.

“Long live Ijoghala (Zou-Ala Uba) community!

Long live Gbaramatu Kingdom!

Long live Delta State!

Long live Nigeria!”.