King Jaja Of Opobo

Jubo Jubogha, popularly known as King Jaja of Opobo, was born around 1821 in present day Umuduruoha, Amaigbo in Nwangele local government area of Imo State, Nigeria to Ozurumba (father) and Uru (mother).  Given the name Mbanaso Ukwaraozurumba, he was a nationalist, merchant prince, successful businessman and founder of Opobo city-state, now a part of Rivers state in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He was known for his astute business, political and military skills.

King Jaja Of Opobo Age

Not available.

King Jaja Of Opobo Early Life

Young Jaja was sold as a slave at the age of twelve in Bonny and was named Jubo Jubogha by his master and later renamed as Jaja by the British. He grew up learning the Ijaw values and practices of his new home and maximized the limited opportunities as slave to quickly grasp his master’s trade of oil palm, subsequently garnering invaluable business skills and acumen.

King Jaja Of Opobo Career

Jaja was once again sold to Chief Alali, the head of the Opubo Anna Pepple Royal House; a sociopolitical institution functioning as the unit of a city-state. After being sold by his Bonny slave master, he settled quite well and soon became leader of the royal house overseeing the administration of its affairs. Jaja's influence and authority grew over the years. After a dispute between the Anna Pepple and Manilla Pepple Houses in 1869, Jaja and the Anna Pepple House broke away and established Opobo city-state. He thereafter, declared himself King Jaja of Opobo. His coronation took place on December 25th, 1870.

As his status increased, Jaja ventured into trade with Europeans in Europe. He began shipping palm oil directly to Liverpool and by passing the British middlemen which ultimately created a problem. This direct trade did not sit well with the British middlemen who tried to regain control by offering Jaja a treaty of “protection”, which would require Chiefs to surrender their sovereignty. King Jaja initially rebuffed the offer, but later reconsidered after being vaguely reassured that his authority and sovereignty of Opobo kingdom would be an exception.

Jaja regulated trade and levy duties on British merchants even displaying the extent of his power by ordering a suspension of trade via the river channel until a defaulting British firm agreed to pay its duties and levies. This action infuriated the British who as a consul ordered Jaja to terminate such activities and threatened with invasion. The British finally secured Opobo as its territory in the 1884 Berlin Conference where European powers scrambled for pieces of Africa. Now a British territory, Opobo was forcibly claimed using the formidable British naval fleet which tilted negotiations in her favor. His reign ended in September 1887. King Jaja was later exiled to Saint Vincent in the West Indies, where he served his prison sentence. He appealed and fought against his wrongful abduction, ultimately convincing the Parliament to restore his freedom.

King Jaja Of Opobo Personal Life

King Jaja was a devote Christian. He died around 1891 while returning from exile. His death led to the decline in power and influence of Opobo.

King Jaja Of Opobo Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

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