Leaders of Kantu community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have officially declared themselves natives of Gbaramatu Kingdom, putting to rest lingering issues of land ownership and ethnic identity that have persisted for years.
The declaration was made during a press briefing held at the Oweiji-Biri Ancestral Hall in Kantu town, where community leaders pledged their loyalty to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Majesty Oboro Gbaruan II Aketekpe/Agadagba.
Windfree Atemubaghan, Chairman of Kantu community, read the signed statement while flanked by Pa. Edwin Atikan Atemubagha, Ama-Okosuwei of Ikantu Community, and other community leaders.
Historical Context of Kantu's Identity
According to the statement, Kantu (also known as Ikantu) Community has been an Ijaw settlement since the founding of Gbaramatu Clan (kingdom) around the 11th century. The community was founded by Oweizibiri, described as "a full-blooded Ijaw man from Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom."
The statement explained that Oweizibiri, who had previously lived in Amadino (Omadino), an Ijaw fishing settlement, married Erebo, a petty trader from Ode in the Old Western Region. Their marriage produced seven children, with some of the male descendants later marrying Itsekiri women.
"In the course of growing up, the children were more attached to their mothers, who spoke their Itsekiri dialect with their children. And some of the children also inter-married with other Itsekiri indigenes," the statement clarified.
This intermarriage pattern led to the Itsekiri language becoming dominantly spoken by the majority of Ikantu people, creating a cultural affiliation that has caused confusion about their true ethnic identity.
Clarification of Ethnic Identity
The community leaders categorically stated that "Ikantu is an Ijaw Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom and is never, was never and will never be part of Itsekiri ethnic nationality."
They expressed concern that some descendants of Oweizibiri "are still bent on alienating their father (Ijaw) land to their maternal Itsekiri nationality," a situation they strongly condemned for creating "antagonism for the people of Ikantu Community, among their kiths and kin in Gbaramatu Kingdom and the larger Ijaw nation."
The statement concluded with a pledge of loyalty and allegiance to His Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, affirming that Ikantu "will continue to remain in the Traditional Institution of Gbaramatu Kingdom."
This declaration is expected to resolve longstanding tensions regarding the community's identity and territorial affiliations in the region.
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