BRIEF HISTORY OF KENGEMA MINA OGBO

Kangema Mina Ogbo is a socio-cultural club formed in 1952 by a group of idealistic Kalabari sons based in Abonnema.

Abonnema, at that time, was in its golden age. It was the center of commerce and industry in the Kalabari Kingdom and the neighboring communities. Abonnema had a thriving seaport numerous commercial/trading companies both local and the international.

Furthermore, Degema just opposite Abonnema, was the administrative headquarters of the district and attracted the colonial administrative establishment. Abonnema became a cosmopolitan community and provided the environment where educated and enlightened men and women could pursue their ambition for self-sufficiency and also have the opportunity to socialize. It was in this setting that these Kalabari sons, operating within the framework of a shared heritage came together to pursue the following objectives on which the Kangema Mina Ogbo is based.

1. To promote and practice and true spirit of brotherhood, that is “to be your brothers’ keeper”.
2. To promote good citizenship
3. To promote mutual respect and love among its members
4. To be interest and take active part in promotion of schemes and projects for benefits of the community.
To undertake any co-operative ventures towards the progress of the above objectives.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership which is open to men of good standing in the community, was originality drawn from all the Kalabari communities but today, due to social/political developments and the formation of similar clubs in the other communities, membership is solely from Abonnema. Kangema Mina Ogbo has attracted respected sons of Abonnema society to its membership. Members include traditional rulers (Chiefs), Captains of industry administrators, judges, professionals, military officers, academics attorneys, businessman etc.

Prospective members undergo screening to ensure that their view align with the objectives of the club. On admission, a new member of formally inducted into the club, before a fully house. Thus the new member immediate family introduced to the entire club membership so that the members will also extend the same love and brotherliness to the new member’s at all times.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Some of the founding members were:

S.A Jacks, Bathuel Reuben Jack, J.O. Williams, B.S. Bob-Manuel, S.D.N. Briggs, Clinton Cottrel, Alex Opukiri, Wenike Bob Manuel, Ernest Briggs, Dan Owuso Amachree, Elekima Waribo, F.S. Bob Manuel, Gospel BobManuel, Iyalla Pedro, Allen Amabibi. All these men were leading lights in their times.

Richard Bestman Bar a famous and very popular gathering point for relaxation and socializing was the venue for convening the initial meetings of the club as members naturally gathered there to socialize. After the first election for officers in which Allen Amabibi emerged as the pioneer President and J.O Williams as the pioneer Secretary the venue for subsequent meetings for the club was then moved to residence of the pioneer president, Allen Amabibi.

The following have held the position of President of the club:

Allen Amabibi, Alex Opukiri, Wenike Bob Manuel, Walter Akpana, G.A Graham-Douglas, Rapheal A.B Whyte, Lesile, Odoliyi Lolomari, Olu B. Fubara, Howard B.K Bob Manuel and Ferdinand N. Alabraba, the immediate Past President.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY

With the profile of membership the club provides, Kangema Mina Ogbo’s contributions permeate the community at all levels. The club is involved in:

(1)ALL THE INSTITUTIONS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY

1. The Abonnema Council of Chiefs where members of the Kangema Mina Ogbo are adequately represented and contribute effectively in the government of the community.
2. The Nyemoni Improvement Society (NIS), the umbrella socio-cultural organization for the Abonnema Community, in which Kengema members have provided a very substantial numbers of leadership over the years.

(2)PROMOTION OF EDUCATION:

Kenegma recognize education as the bedrock of development and has contributed the following:

1. Establishment of a scholarship scheme for secondary school which has been running for over two decades.
2. Provision of boreholes and water reticulation in secondary schools
3. Establishment of modern laboratory facilities/equipment for Nyemoni Grammar School (NGS), Abonnema Girls Secondary School (AGSS) and Comprehensive Secondary School Abonnema.
4. Provision of IT competence training through the provision of computers to school

(3)WELFARE/CULTURAL SCHEMES:

In keeping with our mission statement of;

Being our brother’s keeper and being relevant to our community, Kangema Mina Ogbo has instituted the following schemes:

1. A walfare Trust Fund designed to cater for peculiar health challenges of members
2. A Kalabari Language Communities which in co-ordination with other relevant bodies and agencies is to stimulate the renaissance of our noble and beautiful Kalabari Language.

(4)OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS:

For Kangema Mina Ogbo, pursuit of progress of the community has remained the driving force in its activities. Over the year, the club has participated In or initiated actions aimed at some of these actions include:

1. Participation in or formation of special groups as vehicles for the pursuing projects, sometimes with political colouration, for the benefit of the community: eg Creation of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with Abonnema as Headquarters.
2. Initiating a resuscitation of Nyemoni Improvement Society (NIS) after years of inactivity and hibernation.
3. Formation of a Co-operative venture to bring scare commodities into the community and also stimulate economic activity.
4. Monitoring of contracts being executed in the community, award by Government or other agencies.