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The Ikwerre (also spelt Ikwere) is one of the many native ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.^[2][3][4] . They are a subgroup of the Igbo people , [3] although a small minority for political expediency now dispute this account, claiming their history was rewritten during the colonial period because of the dominance of the larger Igbo group.
The Ikwerre are said to be related or share common ancestry with the Ogba and Ekpeye people (Akalaka brothers). [ citation needed] They trace their origins to Owerri , Ohaji , Etche , and Ngwa areas of Igboland. They constitute the majority of Rivers state, although there are other populations in neighboring states. The Ikwerre speak the Ikwerre dialect , a dialect part of the many diverse Igbo dialects, [4] and are predominantly settled in the Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor , Port Harcourt and Emohua local government areas. They are traditionally farmers, fishermen and hunters, but in recent times, the environmental degradation and urban sprawl associated with oil exploration and exploitation has caused a sharp decline in the amount of farmland, forests and rivers available for their traditional occupations. [citation needed]
A total of 92 oil wells, producing an estimated 100,000 barrels of crude daily, are located in Ikwerreland. The Ikwerre therefore play host to several multinational oil-producing and servicing companies, in addition to many other industries and establishments. [citation needed] Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta, frequently complain of marginalisation by the oil operatives. The University of Port Harcourt , the Rivers State University of Science and Technology , the three campuses of the Rivers State College of Education, as well as the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, are all sited on Ikwerreland. [citation needed] Origin The Ikwerre are considered by a great majority of scholars as a subgroup of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria , [1][2][3] There are several theories over the origin, and the strongest and most widely accepted one is the theory linking the Ikwerre to an Igbo origin. [5] They would be descendents from an Igbo migration from Awka and Orlu areas towards South. Igbo scholars take Ikwerre as part of the Southern Igbo. Amadi, an Ikwerre scholar, says that the Igbo origin theory has some support even inside Ikwerre themselves, with Ikwerre would be descendants of a migration of Arochukwu Igbo, with Okpo Nwagidi being the leader of the Ikwerre tribe. Before the civil war, there had been dissident voices that claimed that Ikwerre could have migrated from Owerri , Ohaji, Ngwa, and Etche areas of Igboland. [5] But when Port Harcourt was conquered by Nigeria during the Biafran War and the Igbo people from other parts of Igboland fled the territory, a UN report says that the Ikwerre decided to claim that the Ikwerre were non-Igbo for convenience. [6] The Ikwerre are recognized officially as a separate group in the 1979 Nigerian Constitution. [5] Notable people Some notable people of Ikwerre origin: Elechi Amadi, writer[citation needed] Emmanuel Onunwor , former Mayor of East Cleveland , Ohio, USA [citation needed] Chibuike Amaechi , former Governor of Rivers State Obi Wali , Writer, Politician and Minority rights activist [citation needed ] Tonto Dikeh, Actress, Musician Celestine Omehia,former Governor of Rivers State Monalisa Chinda , Actress Duncan Mighty, Musician Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Current Governor of Rivers State Hon. O.K Chinda, Politician Bobby Ogoloma , Actor

Origin

The Ikwerre are considered by a great majority of scholars as a subgroup of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria,^[2][3][4]

There are several theories over their origin.^[1] They would be descendents from an Igbo migration from Awka and Orlu areas towards South. Igbo scholars take Ikwerre as part of the Southern Igbo. Amadi, an Ikwerre scholar, says that the Igbo origin theory has some support even inside Ikwerre themselves, with Ikwerre would be descendants of a migration of Arochukwu Igbo, with Okpo Nwagidi being the leader of the Ikwerre tribe. Before the civil war, there had been dissident voices that claimed that Ikwerre could have migrated from Owerri, Ohaji, Ngwa, and Etche areas of Igboland.^[1] But when Port Harcourt was conquered by Nigeria during the Biafran War and the Igbo people from other parts of Igboland fled the territory, a UN report says that the Ikwerre decided to claim that the Ikwerre were non-Igbo for convenience.^[5] The Ikwerre are recognized officially as a separate group in the 1979 Nigerian Constitution.^[1]

Some notable people of Ikwerre origin:

• 
  Elechi Amadi, writer^{[citation needed]}
  


• 
  Mighty Prince, Composer, MusicianTemplate:Leader of The Garden City Band
  


• 
  Emmanuel Onunwor, former Mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio, USA^{[citation needed]}
  


• 
  Chibuike Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State
  


• 
  Obi Wali, Writer, Politician and Minority rights activist^{[citation needed]}
  


• 
  Abuchi Ogbonda, Medical Director Alma Hospital, Port Harcourt
  


• 
  Austin Opara, former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives
  


• 
  Tonto Dikeh, Actress, Musician


• 
  Celestine Omehia,former Governor of Rivers State
  


• 
  Monalisa Chinda, Actress


• 
  Duncan Mighty, Musician


• 
  Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Current Governor of Rivers State
  


• 
  David Nnamdi Ogbondamati, Enterprenuer
  


• Hon. O.K Chinda, Politician


• 
  Bobby Ogoloma, Actor


• 
  Okogbule Wonodi, Poet, former Mayor of Port Harcourt
  


• 
  Stephen Amanwo, President, University of East London Students' Union London UK
  


• 
  Wiche Benjamin Nkanunye, Poet, CMS Officer NIMC Nigeria
  


• Wiche Humphrey Igwechi, Scholar


• Simon Ndamati Wali, HRM EZE (AMB) Sir, S.N.WALI (JP) eze oha apara (iii), paramount ruler of apara kingdom.

See also

• Rebisi


• Indigenous peoples of Rivers State

Notes