The Coronation and Presentation of Staff of Office to
Ama - Pere of Trofani |
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His Royal Highness (Engr.) Aserifa Hope Torru
Enai Nai 1, Opu Adumu 1, Ama - Pere of Trofani Domain
Bayelsa State, Nigeria |
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Greatness is usually measured by achievement and the measurements of service that any man or woman renders to his /her immediate community. In fact, when the standards of achievement and service are applied to eminent people in Nigeria today, none stands taller or more obvious than that of Chief (Engr.) Aserifa Hope Torru.
Chief (Engr.) Aserifa Hope Torru.was born on 2nd July, 1952 in Burutu,
Delta State. From his youth, he began to chart a course of greatness and
his people=oriented Chief (Engr.) Aserifa Hope Torru.development programmes
and achievements have seen him through life. Those who knew him in Burutu
Delta State, attest to the act as a boy growing up, he had a precocious
mind and a disposition of excellence, very hard to come by these days.
It sems as if he were destined to shine. However, it was at FGS, that the
potential for greatness in him took root. Popular among his peers, he was
the light prefect from class IV and moved on to become the senior prefect
in his final year at the school after attending a Citizen and Leadership
Training Course in Lagos.
The quest to develop this uncommon leadership talent in one so young took
him far from Burutu to Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, where he majored in
Electrical Electronics Engineering. His leadership skills continued to
manifest as he was involved in student union. At that time, eventually
culminating in his second year elected as Vice President of the Student
Union. At that time, to those close to him, Torru exhibited traits of pioneers
in the electrical world: pioneers like Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday and
Thomas Edison. On conclusion of his Ordinary National Diploma, OND, in
1977, he commenced on a long and fruitful journey into full-time employment
with the Nigerian Electric Power Authority, NEPA, as Maintenance Technician
in Training in Benin, in the now defunct Bendel State.
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After obtaining his Higher National Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering,
Torru was re-employed by NEPA because of his disposition for commitment
and keen sense of dedication to work. The need to hone his leadership potential
propelled him into NEPA Electrical Engineering Pupilage programme from
1983 to 1985. Events prior to and after that occassion galvanized him to
prepare himself for today. Which is why, in the course of his work, he
returned to school, to Ambrose ALlli University, Edo State, for a postgraduate
diploma and the same university also for his Master of Science Degree,
Electrical Power Engineering. As you are about to witness today, from the
moment he resumed work in NEPA in 1985 as Principal Technical Officer,
PTO, Port-Harcourt, until the point he rose to become District Manager,
Abuja District, and presently, the Assistant General Manager, technical
services, the sky has not been the limit for Torru.
A man of rare value, drive, verve, innovation and excellence, Engineer
Torru was the brain behind key projects leading to the installation of
several injection sub-stations across the lenght and breadth of his country.
In specific terms, his influence was greatly felt in Obigbo in Rivers State,
Oron in Akwa Ibom State, Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt and GRA, Benin City.
As Chairman of the technical sub-committee on FCDA Electrical Installation
Investment in the FCT, Torru supervised the planning, installation, cordination
of the AAbuja Emergency Power Production Projects, the planning and implementation
of the power Evacuation Projects from he Katampe 2 x 150 MVA, 330/132kv7,
132/33kv injection substations, and injection stations in Mararaba, Keffi,
Suleja, all in Abuja.
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Like a colossus, he bestrides many professional associations; the Nigerian
Institution of Technical Engineers, the Council for the Regulation o Engineering
in Nigeria, COREEN, the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute
of International Education.
However, it is as a traditional leader that Chief Engineer Torru has gathered
the most accolades and respect in his community. His traditional titles,
The Olotu of Trofani and the Amadaowei of Ekorekore, among the people of
Bayelsa are not titles for insufferable men. These titles 'OLOTU', the
General of an army, 'AMADAOWEI' the head of the community'; and Ama- Pere
represent a recognition of the profound achievements of an illustrous son
of the community and how much that son is loved, respected and accepted.
These titles are usually borne by worthy sons of a community who have distiuished
themselves by the value of their interest inchanging the living conditions
of their peoples. This is what the upcoming Skills Acquisition Center in
Trofani of which Chief Torru is patron.
Chief Torru's many endeavours have been noted, bothe locally and internationally,
attracting recognition in the form of awards. Among them include the Transafrica
Links-Africa & Overseas 2007 Merit Award for Outstanding Leadership
Excellence & Integrity; the National Union of Electricity Employees,
Garki, Garki Chapter Selfless & Excellence Service to Humanity; the
EYOPNA Commendation Award, the Nigerian Personality of Integrity Award
as best PHCN Man of the year, 2009 ETC.
This distinguished Nigerian who is crowned king today is an accomplished
Nigerian who speaks Izon, Yoruba and English.
Click for Trofani Ama- Pere Coronation Pictures |
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HISTORY OF TROFANI
We the Otorofonis of Kabowei Kingdom, Izon Nation, are an Ijaw Community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Trofani is located along the great River Niger. We migrated from Kabo Bolou
(near Patani) to the present site for economic and social reasons in the
early part of the 19th century.
Aseh people were the original settlers there. The Trofani people paid twelve
British pounds and 20 cases of Saint Peters gin to Aseh people as consideration
for the permission to settle there. This was in the early 1800's. The population
of Trofani increased as more people came to join the original settlers
of Trofani.
War broke out later between Trofani and Aseh communities. Aseh people were
decively defeated in the war. Aseh people were then forced to abandon their
home and escaped over to the western side of River Niger..
By 1850, Trofani people were in full control of the area including lands
and lakes previously owned by the Aseh people now on the western side of
the River Niger. About 1884 British Colonial Government had a treaty/convenant
with the Chiefs/people of Trofani for the protection of its citizens and
its trade in that part of the country. Similar treaty was entered with
Onyan Community. The fact of the war between Trofani and Aseh had long
been admitted on previous occasions by spokesmen of Ash including Chief
Osugo. Both jugdements of the Supreme Court of Southern Nigeria in 1905
and that of E.W. Prratt in 1951 also recognized Trofani people as having
defeated the Aseh people in the war.
CASES BETWEEN ASEH COMMUNITY AND TROFANI COMMUNITY.
1905 CASE
Up to 1905 there were frquent land disputes over fishing rights.In that
year the Supreme Court of Southern Nigeria presided over by the Commissioner
gave judgement, giving both communities equal rights over the lands previously
owned by the Aseh people. Each community was given the right to cross over
to the other side of the River Niger to fish and farm at any given time.
Both communities did this for some time with much friction.
1905/1951 PRATT SETTLEMENT
Yet the long standing land dispute continued up to 1950. Consequently the
Resident of Delta Province in 1950 set up Inter Tribal Boundary Commission.
E.W. Pratt took evidence of Aseh and Trofani communities. On 11th January
1951, judgement was given - all lands and lakes on the eastern side of
the river were given to Trofani community, while those on the western side
of the river were given to the Aseh community. Pratt's enquiry found that
the 1905 solution did not provide a lasting solution to the frequent clashes
between Trofani and Aseh communities. The effect of the Pratt judgement
was that Aseh Community lost all lands and lakes on the eastern side of
the river to Trofani Community, while Trofani also lost their lands and
lakes on the western side to the Aseh Community.
1956 DISPUTE
Dispute over land between Ukiri of Ikpidiama and Trofani arose in the 50's.
In suit No. 26/55 at the Kabowei Native Court, Trofani people obtained
judgement for the ejection in respect of Ekorekore land situated at the
eastern side of the River Niger - oe of the lands previously abandoned
by Aseh Community. An appeal by Ukiri went to the Divisional Adviser, Mr.
A.G.R. Cross for Western Ijaw. The case was later transfered to Western
Ijaw Divisional Court . On an application by Ukiri, the case was ransfrred
to Warri High Court as Suit No. W/142/57. At the High Court, Ukiri claimed
that that the Ekorekore land belonged to the Aseh people; that he was put
in posseion by Aseh people. Anane and Appah were then joined as co-defendants
representing Aseh Community. They lost - Plaintiff's title to Ekorekore
and other lands was firmly established. The defenders appeled to the Supreme
Court in 1964 where they lost again. The people of Trofani are therefore
on solid ground when they assert that by the Pratt settlement of 1951 and
the judgement of the Supreme Court in 1965, all lands, lakes and ponds
including Opuduno (Osuede) and Aduku land belong to Trofani Community since
they form part of the lands and lakes on the eastern side or bank of the
River Niger.
ENCROACHMENT BY ABARI COMMUNITY IN DELTA STATE
The people of Trofani are not unaware of the various acts of encroachment
on their lands including ADUKU land by the Abari Community. The Abari community
in Delta State sometime ago claimed to have set up an imaginary community
in Trofani territory known as "ABARI-ADUKU". Not only that, the
people of Abari Community in open violation of the "Transition to
civil Rule Programme" under the Babangida military government crossed
over to Trofani terrritory in Aduku to register for the two political parties
in Sagbama Local Government Area as if they were settlers in the area.
The intention was to marginalize Trofani in the politics of Sagbama LGA.
The people of Trofani did not fail to fight back. The case in court is
a clear testimony to that..
| THE INSTITUTION OF THE AMA-PERE OF TROFANI |
- From time immemorial and by the grace of God, Trofani has been a dominant and ascendant striding community in the comity of settlements approximating to the Kabowei Kingdom.
- The people of Trofani have long resolved to live in unity and harmony as
one indivisible and closely-knit people dedicated to the promotion of their
own welfre.
- The Chiefs and Elders of the TRAWARE, comprising the entire community of
Trofani and in pursuance of a popular desire had therefore on 4th day of
November 1978 resolved to install an indigene of Trofani as "THE PERE
OF TROFANI". A constitution was governing the institution of the Pereship
of Trofani was later established. In order to avoid continous opposition
from our Kabowei neighbours, the name "Pere of Trofani" was later
changed to "AMA-PERE OF TROFANI".
- The Ama-Pere of Trofani is the paramount ruler of Trofani Kingdom, but
his position is peculiar in that he is regarded as first among equals.
He is a father figure and the symbol of the progress and unity of all Trofani
people. He is also the custodian of Trofani customs and traditions. He
has jurisdiction over Trofani Kingdom and not beyond. The Ama Pere must
be neutral in political matters, but he shall speak for the people of Trofani
in all matters which by popular desire are reserved for his services.
- In his administrative work, the Ama Pere is being aided by the Council
of Chiefs which is headed by the "OPUODUBOWEI" (the Traditional
Prime Minister). There is also the Regency Council which performs some
of the functions of the Ama Pere from the period of transition of a reigning
Ama Pere to the time when a new Ama Pere is installed.
- The institution of Ama Pere is autonomous and recognized by the Government
of Bayelsa State History has it that the dispersed settlements from the
Pere at PATANI at a certain stage.In the case of Trofani, there were other
historical reasons for having its own Ama Pere without necessarily competing
with the Pere of Kabowei for supremacy. Trofani is still part of the Kabowei
Kingdom. We will ever remain so..
- May God bless The Ama-Pere of TROFANI
- May God bless and prosper Trofani and its people
- May God bless and prosper Kabowei Kingdom
- May God bless and prosper the Ijawnation.
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