Bonny (originally Okoloama) is a traditional, coastal town and a Local Government Area (LGA) in Rivers State in Southern Nigeria, on the Bight of Bonny. Bonny Island is located at the southern edge of Rivers State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria near Port Harcourt.
Map of Rivers State showing Bonny LGA
Historical Significance
The Kingdom of Bonny was a sovereign state in the Niger Delta. The Kingdom of Bonny was powerful beginning in the 15th century with the advent of the Portuguese and the following Atlantic slave trade. Bonny Island was a hotbed of economic activity right from the 15th century.
Under the influence of European traders from the 16th century, Bonny became the centre of a miniature slave-trading empire under militarized chiefdoms that controlled the routes from the interior to the coast. By the mid-1700s, Bonny became the most important port for slave trading in the Bight of Biafra.
In the 19th century, it came under increasing pressure from the British to end the trade. It was also in that century that a civil war was fought between those loyal to Chief Oko Jumbo of the Manilla Pepple house and those loyal to Chief Jaja of the Anne Pepple house. In the 19th Century AD, Bonny Island accepted Christianity through the ministry of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
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Geography and Climate
The island known as Bonny LGA is located in the Bight of Bonny. The LGA has two different seasons-the rainy and the dry seasons-and a total area of 646 square kilometers.
Bonny has a Tropical monsoon climate, the wet season is always warm, the dry season is hot and mostly cloudy sometimes, and it is oppressive year-round.
Economy
The region produces a type of crude oil known as Bonny Light oil. Much of the oil extracted onshore in Rivers State is piped to Bonny for export. It has the biggest LNG Gas Plant in Nigeria with six (6) trains.
Its location on the river allowed Bonny to serve as an important shipping port until it was eclipsed by Port Harcourt (which also lies along the river) in the early 20th century. Bonny regained its prominence in the late 1950s and early ’60s, when it became a central depot for the shipment of oil. Since 1961 it has been the chief shipper of the delta’s oil.
Bonny Island is the centre of oil business in Nigeria. It is relatively a developed place and conducive for both expatriates and Nigerians that come for business.
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Bonny has a bridge being constructed from Bodo in Gokana LGA (also in Rivers State) to enable land transportation. The federal government of Nigeria through partnership with Nigeria LNG Limited is building a 39 km road that will connect Bonny Island to the Ogoni community of Bodo in the mainlaind of Rivers State. The road will reduce both the risk and the travel time to the island spent on travelling through air and also boost tourism and economy on the island.
Community and Culture
Presently, Bonny Kingdom is subdivided into two main segments - the mainland and the hinterland. The mainland comprises Bonny Island that has both Okoloama and Finima and their segments, namely the Main Island (Township), Sandfield, Iwoama, Orosikiri, Aganya, Ayambo, Akiama, Isilegono, New Road, Wilbross pipeline, Workers Camp, and some outlying fishing settlements lying along the Bonny River's coastline.
Bonny's traditional institution is headed by King Edward William Asimini Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, who serves as amanyanabo and natural ruler. The Chiefs' Council is led by Chief Reginald Abbey-Hart, who is the high chief and head of Captain Hart house.
The community is subdivided into two main segments - the mainland and the hinterland. The mainland comprises Bonny Island and its segments, namely the Main Island (Township), Sandfield, Iwoama, Orosikiri, Aganya, Ayambo, Akiama, New Road, Wilbross Pipeline, Workers Camp, and some outlying fishing settlements lying along the Bonny River’s coastline.
Presently, the Kingdom of Bonny has thirty-five chieftaincy houses. There are fourteen major chieftaincy houses (five among which are Duawaris); twenty minor chieftaincy houses; and then the George Pepple lineage of the Perekule royal house that has recently been producing kings of the kingdom.
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Bonny Island has thirty-five sub-sectional units (known as Houses). All represent the progeny of the founding generation of its kingdom.
The local language spoken on Bonny Island is Ibani. Many native people also speak the Igbo language.
Tourism and Attractions
Bonny Island is surrounded on the west and south by long stretches of beaches. On 26 and 31 December of every year, thousands of people visit the Finima beaches for beach carnivals.
Finima Nature Park: The Finima Nature Park is a natural park in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria covering an area of approximately 1000 ha (3.9 sq mi). It was established by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited in 1999 with the aim of conserving nature and biodiversity in the region and it occupies an area of 10 km². Finima's reserve area is covered by tropical rainforest and mangrove swamps and some parts contain sand with freshwater ponds and tall timber between the swamps and the beach. it harbors numerous creatures, including the pygmy hippo and reptiles such as crocodiles, monkeys as well as different bird species.
Bonny Love Garden: Bonny Love Garden is a Mini Beach Resort Located in Bonny Island. It has one of the best beach views on the Island and its environment gives a calm and serene feeling to all its visitors and tourist. This garden has become a household name because both the old and young have grown fond of the mini-resort. Once you enter the garden, you will be greeted by the inviting aroma of popcorn, barbecue, shawarma, and all kinds of munchies.
Opobo Regatta Festival: is a festival that occurs annually and it is one of the famous festivals in Bonny Island. The festival is held on New Year’s Eve. The festival consist of ritual sacrifices before the boat racing competition starts.
The Nwaotam Masquerade: Nwaotam Masquerade is being celebrated annually 25 of December in Bonny Island. it's a very spiritual Masquerade and every year the NWAOTAM chooses who to wear the Nwaotam Masquerade head and regalia from their cult group. Whoever it chooses to wear the head and regalia gets paid heavily for that.
There are hotels and restaurants to cater for tourists and visitors.
Essential Information for Visitors
Ferries are the main form of transport, though recently an airstrip has been built and it’s fully functional - with flights from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively to and from the island.
Shopping is not huge on Bonny Island but visitors have options of supermarkets, stores, and even an open market. For frozen food and packed food, try one of the stores on Pepple Road.
Sea food is well consumed on as it is close to the ocean, and there are a number of dining options both on the mainland and the hinterland. Visitors get the best taste from Local food joints and restaurants.
The networks in certain parts of Bonny Island can be very erratic at times. Please check with the local service providers - 9mobile, MTN, Glo and Airtel prior to your arrival for current coverage and accessibility.
Bonny Island. The Richest Island in Nigeria ( Fari Elysian )
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