METRO

See How Jaja of Opobo was killed with a cup of tea in 1891

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2024

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King Jaja of Opobo (1821-1891), the wealthiest and most powerful monarch in the Niger Delta and sole founder of Opobo, was Igbo.Born in his native Umuduruoha, Amaigbo, present-day Imo State, and named Mbanaso Okwaraozurumbaa at birth, he was captured by slave traders and sold into captivity in Bonny at the age of 12, where he earned his way out of slavery having also adopted the Ijaw-Ibani culture.

Though he generated astounding wealth for Bonny, when that kingdom’s throne became vacant, his quest to vie for it was politically checkmated by a fellow wealthy slave (wealth was a deciding factor in monarchy).

Thus, he left with his supporters to establish a new town, Opobo, near Andoni. Bonny and its affiliated British merchants would come to regret that day.

The new development Jaja (aka Jubo Jubogha) relocated to in 1869, was named Opobo and the location was strategically positioned that he could transact first-hand with both national and international merchants, effectively becoming a monopolist in the oil palm trade…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Trade and the resultant wealth exploded so much so that his former British trading partners lost £100,000 (in 1870), and Bonny pleaded with him to return (which he refused).

He then came to the attention of Queen Victoria who, impressed by his influence, recognised him as King of Opobo in 1873 and also personally presented him with a sword in Buckingham Palace in 1875 after he sent troops to assist Britain in the Ashante War. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The Scramble for Africa began in the 19th century. Jaja was infamous for resisting foreign political and economic influence and he kept taxing the British merchants much to their indignation.

Greed and the fear of Jaja’s influence led the new Consul-General, to invite Jaja out of his kingdom and on board a ship, ”The Goshawk”, for trade discussions.

Once on board, a deportation order was served on him. He was illegally tried and convicted in Gold Coast, present-day Ghana, in 1887, and exiled to Saint Vincent in the distant West Indies and to be later relocated to Barbados.

His pleas to return to his kingdom were granted in 1891. Unfortunately, he died in Tenerife, en route to Opobo, after being allegedly poisoned with a cup of tea. After his death, the influence of Opobo died with him.

Jaja’s body was received with much sorrow by his people who gave him a full, honourable royal burial. He was 70.

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METRO

How The People of Ara-Ekiti Committed Mass Suicide To Avoid Enslavement in 1855

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2024

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The mass suicide was initiated by the leader of Ara town, Alara Elejofi, who (with the help of his first son) destroyed his properties, killed his family and himself. Many other households in the town replicated this act, and when the Ibadan army arrived with their wide array of weaponry, they turned back at the gory sight of dead bodies that littered the town…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Earlier, the people of Ara had rebelled against their former Alara (ruler) because of his bad governance and the grevious offences he had committed against his townspeople. He was exiled. It was during his exile that Chief Elejofi took over the rulership of the town.

The exiled Alara was not willing to let go of his throne and thus sought help from Ibadan. His request was granted because Ibadan, which as at then was gradually filling the vacuum created by the fall of Oyo, was hungry for towns to shove under its administration. The Ibadan army had just returned from an expedition in Ijebu-Ere and with their help, the deposed Alara returned to Ara and was fearfully accepted.

Shortly after Ibadan restored the deposed Alara of Ara, its army attacked Ikoro, another town in Ekiti, because they prevented Ibadan army from foraging on their crops, and also because there were rumours that Ikoro was planning to attack the Ibadan army.

During the attack on Ikoro, some other towns in Ekiti, including Ara-Ekiti, tried to defended Ikoro. The restored Alara prevented his townspeople from joining the fight against Ibadan, hence another unrest ensued in the town. Ibadan eventually defeated Ikoro and went ahead to punish the towns that helped Ikoro during the war, including Ara. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

During this period, Chief Elejofi had again taken over the rulership of Ara and held on to it for some months before it eventually crumbled due to starvation, and to avoid being enslaved by Ibadan, the people of Ara-Ekiti committed an unprecedented mass suicide. This incident is quite similar to the mass suicide of Igbo slaves off the U.S. coast in 1803.

The town of Ara was left deserted for many years before some of its exiled descendants returned home. Ara suicide remains one of the most disturbing chapters in the history of Ekiti and the entire Yoruba land.

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METRO

19-Year-Old Girl Beaten For 4 Hours Because She Wouldn’t Get Boyfriend Cigarette

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2024

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This past summer, Kelsie Skillen, 19, was beaten by her boyfriend, James McCourt, 19 in Glasgow, Scotland. Kelsie, a makeup artist, shared pictures of her injuries on Facebook.

McCourt had locked her in the house and beat on her for four hours…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Why did he do this you ask?

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

The couple had just returned home, and McCourt didn’t have his jacket or cigarettes.

They had gotten left behind, so he got angry, blamed Kelsie and then beat her for it.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

Kelsie managed to escape when McCourt went to the bathroom. She used her iPad to call her mom.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

After being found, Kelsie was rushed to the hospital, her face was swollen and covered in bruises and cuts.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

In her post, Kelsie apologized for the graphic nature of the photos.

She explained that she wanted to warn other people about McCourt.

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She didn’t want anyone else to go through what she was going through.

McCourt pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 months in jail.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

McCourt said he didn’t care if he went to prison or not.

Also, the judge, Sam Cathcart, said that McCourt will be supervised for 8 months after he is released from prison.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

Finally, McCourt cannot have any contact with Kelsie for five years.

The injuries Kelsie suffered caused her to miss work for three weeks.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

Kelsie’s post was shared over 1,400 times.

Many people left comments telling her how brave she was and praised her for speaking out.

Image Credit: Facebook / Kelsie Skillen

Share away, people.

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METRO

Mother says boyfriend forced her 5-year-old daughter to put uriine-soaked socks in her mouth and then pulled it out so aggressively that two of her teeth fell out, but that’s not the worst of it!

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2024

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Prosecutors said the 23-year-old mother, Katrina, and her 27-year-old boyfriend Jose forced her 5-year-old daughter to put uriine-soaked socks in her mouth and then pulled it out so aggressively that two of her teeth fell out.

But, unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it! Last week, the mother pleaded guilty to her role in the death of her 5-year-old daughter. Prosecutors said the mother pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony count of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission, NYP reported…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

According to the court documents, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to reduce her sentence at 45 years if she pleaded guilty. Investigators revealed that the 5-year-old child, Mercedes, suffered weeks of extreme physical abuse that left her with cuts and bruises and caused her to lose large chunks of hair and several toenails.

Both the mother and her boyfriend abused the child for three weeks after she asked him to help discipline the girl. She claimed he forced her daughter to put dog fe-es in her mouth as he screamed at her. The mother also said that her boyfriend stuffed a sock soaked in ur-ne into the girl’s mouth and then pulled it out so aggressively that two of her teeth fell out, officials have said.

During an interview with investigators, the mother also said that her boyfriend repeatedly struck Mercedes with belts and his hands, which were covered with rings. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Her boyfriend claimed he only slapped the girl on the a-s and accused the victim’s 6-year-old sister of pulling out her hair. Ruiz, who pleaded not guilty to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, is scheduled to go to trial in October.

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