(CONCLUDING PART). AKWETE: ONE HUNDRED AND TWO YEARS AFTER THE AMALGAMATION OF THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN PROTECTORATE OF NIGERIA, IN 1914

By Mr. Amadi Gabriel A and Mr. Kamndu Ibrahim B. (Lecturers Institute of Archaeology and Museum studies, Jos).

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The first set of British explorers made contact with Akwete in 1890. They were led by a Man called Annsley. They exploited the people of Akwete so much that they (The Akwete people) revolted and drove him (Annsley) and his men away. The second group led by Cairns Armstrong came back to Akwete in 1892. They were warmly received by the Eze, Okerenta. They negotiated and paid an annual fee of 20 pounds, for a piece of land on the Northern Bank of Imo River. They erected a house on this Land which served as a residence and out port of the Royal Niger Company. This fee was called “Comey” by the British and the Akwete called it "Ekwumiri".  British presence in Akwete changed the affairs of the town. Traders from different parts of Ngwaland congregated in Akwete for business. Some of them settled permanently in the Land. As early as 1895 Akwete had become an Urban Area.

 The British introduced their judicial system. A local court was established at Obohia to regulate businesses between the British, their agents and other traders. Court messengers, interpreters and carriers were trained to enhance interaction and business transactions. The relics of their building are still there till tomorrow.

In 1912, Christian Worship started in Akwete and by 1915, the shrine of Nwa-iyieke was burnt down. The family of Akparanta was the first to embrace the Christian faith.

Mr. C.A. Vincent was in-charge of the Worship centre, which was under a big tree. In 1927 Rev. A. W. Howels laid the foundation of Christ Church Cathedral in Akwete. This is the first of its kind in Eastern Nigeria.

Formal Education went hand in hand with Church Organization and led to the establishment of a School presently called Community School, Akwete.

The British built a road connecting Akwete and Obegu. It is called the “Civilization Road” and still in good condition after several years. It is the first of its kind in Eastern Nigeria, built by Community labour under British supervision.

The British used their influence to suppress the Akwete Weaving industry because it was superior to the clothes imported from Manchester. They latter introduced the English Akwete. They also banned the production of Local Gin.

In 1895, the British made contact with Obegu, this is the southernmost town of Ngwaland. Their foresighted Eze, Ananaba, the Eze-Ali 1 welcomed the British warmly. He also gave them a piece of land to build a rest House and finally interred into a treaty with them. Obegu is the last town in Eastern Nigeria where relationship with the British was through the making of a treaty. Other towns came under the British sphere by force. This welcome treaty with the British brought about the Aro-British war (1901-1902) and the exit of the British from Akwete in 1902.

THE PEOPLE OF AKWETE BECAME DISENCHANTED WITH THE MEDDLESOME CHARACTER OF THE BRITISH

The British introduced a strange Religion and destroyed the shrine of Nwa-iyieke. They also took away the Children of Akwete to their School. They equally engaged in randy attitude towards their wives and their daughters. The local “Gin” was labelled illicit and many Men were sent to Prison for just drinking or brewing it. These were among the sharp practices of the British in business. The people of Akwete decided that British most leave their Land. They understood that they could not achieve this militarily and therefore, consulted a diviner who told them what to do. A swarm of Millipedes was invoked to invade the compound of Royal Niger Company. The Akwete people were told that the British loathed millipedes and will abandon the town after the attack of millipedes.

The Charm was done and the British moved. However, the movement was done because the British discovered Aba on their pursuit of the Aro. Aba was unique geographically, more central than Akwete, had fresh water supply from river Aza and the same river could take them to the Coast because it joined the Imo River in Obet. For these reasons, in 1902, the British dismantled their building at Akwete and mounted it in Aba under the supervision of H.M Douglas. It is the present gallery of National Musuem of Colonial History, Aba. 

AKWETE TODAY

Presently Akwete has lost its status as a seaport and a melting pot in Eastern Nigeria. As the British Colonial Government went northward, so the influence of Akwete continued to decline. It started from Aba followed by the establishment of Portharcourt and finally Enugu which became the capital Eastern Nigeria. As soon as these two towns became prominent, Akwete was conveniently forgotten. The railway line from Enugu to Portharcourt did not reach Akwete. This further dimmed the prospects of Akwete as a mini-seaport. The town has not fared better in the post-colonial administration. As at the time of this report, there is little or no form of federal presence, in Akwete.

The political and commercial influence which Akwete wielded has completely disappeared. Its seaport status was eclipsed by Portharcourt and her political influence by Enugu. A lot still remain for Akwete. The town itself wears the face of a well-built Urban centre of the “old school”. Her Sons and Daughters are prominent in politics, administration and academics.

Akwete should be considered for a face-lift by both the Federal and Abia State Governments. It is disheartening to note that a town, a few nautical miles to the Niger is completely abandoned

What makes her most relevant are the relics of the past which are waiting and beckoning for exposition and harnessing. The town is a gold mine for tourism and tourism development.

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