Bonny Island

Bonny Island is situated at the southern edge of Rivers State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria near Port Harcourt. Ferries are the main form of transport to and from the island. The local language spoken in Bonny Island and Bonny Town is Ibani, though most natives also speak the Igbo language.

History

Located at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean facing the Bight of Bonny sits the island of Bonny. This serene community has several historical and economic symbolism for the Nigerian federation. It was the melting point of economic activities right from the 16th century. It served as Christianity’s first port of call in West Africa. It was also home to many illustrious sons and daughters of Nigeria. With a thriving traditional system and robust cultural heritage it stands out as one of the foremost local communities in Nigeria. Her traditional institution is headed by Edward William-Dappa Pepple who serves as natural ruler and Amanyanabo-in-Council and ably assisted by a Council of Chiefs headed by Reginald Abbey-Hart who is also chief and head of Captain Hart major house. Her political leadership currently rests on the shoulders of Nelson Ben Irimagha who bears the traditional title of Amasenibo.

The community is subdivided into two main segments – the mainland and the hinterland. The mainland comprises the Township, Sandfield, Iwoama, Orosikiri, Aganya, Ayambo, Akiama, Workers Camp, Finima and some outlying fishing settlements lying along the Bonny River’s coastline. The hinterland includes the villages that serve as home to natives of Bonny kingdom.

Economy

In the early 1990s the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with 3 international partners, Shell Gas BV., CLEAG Limited [ELF] and AGIP International BV. started the multibillion-dollar project Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (Nigeria LNG).[1] Due to its strategic position, the island hosts various oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Agip, and Elf.

Education

Public and private secondary schools on the island includes:

Tourist attractions

Bonny Island-Finima is surrounded on the west and south by long stretches of beaches. The beautiful beaches attract tourists and fun seeking inhabitants alike on sunny days and festive periods like Christmas and Easter. On 26 and 31 December of every year, thousands of people visit the Finima beaches for beach carnivals.

References

[2] Historians.org

  1. ↑ Home - Nigeria LNG Archived July 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ http://www.historians.org/teaching-and-learning/classroom-content/teaching-and-learning-in-the-digital-age/through-the-lens-of-history-biafra-nigeria-the-west-and-the-world/the-colonial-and-pre-colonial-eras-in-nigeria/an-outsiders-view-of-the-igbo-people-%281840%29

Coordinates: 4°26′57″N 7°14′24″E / 4.44917°N 7.24000°E / 4.44917; 7.24000

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