Degema LG Recognizes Ngeribrama As Autonomous Community

The Degema Local Government says it has accorded autonomous status to Ngeribrama Community in Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State.

Chairman of Degema LGA, Michael Williams announced this on Thursday, November 27, 2025 via a letter he personally signed and made available to the Press in Degema, Rivers State.

The letter was addressed to the Amanyanabo of Ngeribrama and its Satellite Communities, His Royal Highness, Daniel Ngeribrama Ikata II.

An abridged version of the letter is reproduced below:

“OFFICIAL RECOGNITION AND CLARIFICATION ON THE AUTONOMOUS STATUS OF NGERIBRAMA AND ITS SATELLITE COMMUNITIES

Your Royal Highness,

I extend warmest greetings and the esteemed regards of the Degema Local Government Council.

In alignment with our responsibility to maintain clarity in administrative matters and to uphold the dignity of traditional institutions within Degema Local Government Area, the Council wishes to formally communicate its position regarding the status of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.

Following consultations, review of historical and administrative records, and confirmation of existing traditional structures, the Degema Local Government Council hereby affirms the following:

1. Ngeribrama and its satellite communities are officially recognized as a fully autonomous community within Degema Local Government Area.
2. The community enjoys a distinct and independent traditional institution, acknowledged under local customs and traditions.
3. The Council recognizes Your Royal Highness, HRH Daniel B. Ngeribrama Ikata II, as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amanyanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.
4. This recognition reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening traditional authority, enhancing community identity, and promoting peaceful coexistence across all communities in the Local Government Area.

This letter therefore, serves as an authoritative confirmation of the autonomous status of your community and the legitimacy of your esteemed office. The Council remains ready to collaborate with your throne to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.”

In the same vein, the Degema LGA Chairman also announced the Local Government Council’s recognition of His Royal Highness, Daniel Ngeribrama (Ikata II) as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amanyanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.

Dr. Williams reiterated his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional ruler to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.

Meanwhile, in an earlier statement the Amanyanabo, chiefs and community leaders of Ngeribrama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have condemned recent attempts to diminish the status and autonomy of the ancient Kalabari community.

In a statement signed by Secretary of Ngereribrama and Satellite Communities Prof. Olomabo Gillis Harry it said the clarification has become pertinent as there have been recent attempts to diminish their status and role in Kalabari land.

The statement made available to the media on Monday said,” The leadership of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities wishes to issue this public clarification for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and the wider Kalabari Kingdom.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ngeribrama and its satellite communities do not fall under the authority of any town or village within the Kalabari Kingdom.”

It explained that Ngeribrama constitutes a fully autonomous community, with a long-established and widely acknowledged traditional institution headed by His Royal Highness, HRH Daniel Ngeribrama Ikata II, the Amanyanabo of Ngeribrama and Its satellite communities.

The statement pointed out that the autonomous status of Ngeribrama was recognised across Kalabari kingdom and affirmed historically culturally and traditionally.

It urged the public is to disregard any claims, statements, or insinuations suggesting that Ngeribrama is under the jurisdiction of any other community.

As it insisted that “Ngeribrama—located within Degema Local Government Area (DELGA)—maintains its own traditional governance structure”.

Enumerating the traditional structure and levels of leadership in the community, it stated that the Amanyanabo of Ngeribrama have other supporting structure with a duly constituted council of chiefs.

One of the chiefs is a senior member of the Royal Family, Chief Hon. Dr. Dax Kelly George who is Da-Daigbani II.

The community it further stated has Elders’ Council, Women and Youth Leadership

“For historical clarity, our revered progenitor, Ngeribra, had only one child—his daughter, Princess Iwori—whose lineage forms the foundation of the Ngeribrama community,” said the statement.

However, it said Ngeribrama and its satellite communities remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and continued collaboration with sister communities within the Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.