Introduction You may have heard of Bonny Island—a hub for oil exports and energy infrastructure in Nigeria. But nestled quietly on the island’s southern coast is Finima, a community whose rich cultural heritage, history of resistance, and legacy of environmental stewardship are largely untold. This article uncovers the unique story of Finima’s past, present, and future, with a special spotlight on the Buoye Omuso Brown House (BOBH), one of its most revered institutions.
The Early History of Finima Finima traces its lineage back about 1000 years to the founding ancestors of the Ibani people, the very first settlers before any other Bonny people. Oral traditions and documented history tell of the migration of the Buoye Omuso Brown lineage from Okoloba in the Isedeni Area in Central Ijaw in the present-day Kolokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, eventually establishing Finima as a prominent trading outpost on the Atlantic coast. Early European visitors in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries documented its strategic maritime location and sophisticated indigenous political systems.
Colonial archives and missionary records confirm Finima’s role in regional commerce, its influence extending well beyond Bonny into the Niger Delta hinterlands. Despite the advent of colonial disruption, Finima maintained its identity through strong family structures, particularly the BOBH.
The Role of Buoye Omuso Brown House The Buoye Omuso Brown House is not just a family—it is the cultural and historical pillar of Finima. With successive generations of respected leaders, including the recently celebrated Aseme Alabo Dr. Engr. Dagogo Lambert Brown (Kongo XVII), the BOBH has safeguarded Finima’s land rights, oral history, and customary governance.
BOBH also played a major role in negotiating Finima’s interests during oil exploration in the 1950s and later LNG development in the 1990s. Its leadership continues to advocate for equitable resource distribution and environmental conservation.
Finima’s Environmental and Cultural Significance Beyond its historical depth, Finima is an environmental sanctuary. Home to the Finima Nature Park—managed in partnership with Nigeria LNG—it hosts endangered flora and fauna in a protected mangrove and rainforest ecosystem. This blend of biodiversity and indigenous stewardship makes Finima a model for community-based conservation in Africa.
Annually, the Finima Cultural Festival showcases vibrant traditional dances, masquerades, and Ibani regalia. It draws crowds from Bonny, Port Harcourt, Lagos, and the diaspora. Events such as the Amadabo’s inspection tours, ancestral shrines, and age-grade ceremonies reinforce Finima’s cultural pride and resilience.
Diaspora Links and Present-Day Relevance Finima’s influence stretches far beyond Nigeria’s shores. Many members of the BOBH and other Finima families have settled across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East—serving as ambassadors of Ibani culture. Today, digital platforms like https://www.finima.net connect this global diaspora, preserve oral traditions, and mobilise support for local development.
Digital storytelling, photo archives, and recorded oral histories have helped revive interest among young Finima descendants born abroad. Cultural reorientation programmes and heritage tours are now a growing trend.
Conclusion: The Call to Preserve and Protect Finima’s story is one of endurance—of a people who have weathered colonialism, industrialisation, and environmental threats with dignity. As modernisation and climate change reshape Bonny Island, the heritage of Finima stands as a reminder that tradition and progress must walk hand in hand.
Preserving Finima’s culture means more than celebration—it means education, investment, and respect for the ancestral values that sustain it. Let us honour Finima’s past by shaping a future where its identity thrives.
📌 Call to Action: Support cultural preservation by following Finima.net, sharing this story, and contributing to heritage projects in the community.
In a bold and detailed press statement, the Wari-Seniapu—accredited representatives and heads of the various nucleus family units (Burusu) within the Buoye Omuso Brown Group of Houses of Finima—have issued a strong rebuttal to what they describe as a misleading and biased publication by the Tittle Citizens Assembly (TCA) of Grand Bonny Kingdom. Their release, issued under the title “That We May Preserve the Sanctity of Our Time-Honoured Unique Traditional Institution,” seeks to clarify their position regarding the recent formalisation of chieftaincy (Alawari) titles across Finima’s traditional family units.
At the heart of the statement is a critique of the TCA’s narrative, which the Wari-Seniapu claim has been shaped by subservience to the Amanyanabo-in-Council. They argue that the TCA has failed to live up to its constitutional and traditional responsibilities, having lost credibility and influence among the wider Ibani community. According to them, this failure is manifest in the TCA’s silence in the face of numerous anomalies and deviations from traditional norms within the Kingdom.
They allege that the TCA has become little more than a mouthpiece for the kingdom’s power brokers, providing justification for decisions made by the Amanyanabo-in-Council rather than representing the true interests of the people. The Wari-Seniapu refer to the abandonment of the TCA by prominent figures such as the late Amaopusenibo Aseme Frazer Dublin-Green, who reportedly distanced himself due to the assembly’s perceived failure to meet its objectives.
The statement commends the swift and intelligent responses of Finima’s Asawo and Ogbobiri-Asawo to the initial communique issued by the Bonny Kingdom Ogbobiri-Asawo and the Bonny Youth Federation. These rebuttals are described as both articulate and necessary and indicative of a conscious effort to educate the youth of Finima on their cultural and historical identity.
Regarding the formalisation of the chieftaincy status of Finima’s family units, which took place on 25th and 26th April 2025, the Wari-Seniapu insist the process is deeply rooted in historical precedent. They cite numerous examples within Bonny Kingdom’s history, including the 1942 declaration of independence by a faction of the Manilla Pepple House, noting that these events occurred without similar backlash. The reaction to the Finima initiative, they argue, reveals a short-sighted and narrow understanding of the Kingdom’s historical dynamics.
They further explain that Bonny Kingdom is a confederation of semi-autonomous communities and chieftaincy houses, each with sovereignty over its own lands and institutions. The monarch serves primarily a ceremonial role. Finima, they argue, entered into this union as a matter of convenience, not subordination, and its rights and distinctiveness must be respected.
The Wari-Seniapu raise legal concerns about attempts to redefine Bonny as a singular “Kingdom Community,” particularly in the context of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). They point out that Finima is recognised by law and judicial pronouncements as a host community entitled to direct benefits from International Oil Companies (IOCs). According to them, efforts to collapse Finima’s identity within a larger kingdom narrative are deliberate attempts to divert these resources unfairly.
An important section of the release is devoted to correcting the “erroneous” characterisation of the Buoye Omuso Brown Major House as being factionalised. They clarify that no such division existed prior to the installation and coronation of HRH Aseme Alabo Engr. (Dr) Dagogo Lambert Brown as Chief and Head of the House. It was only after this event, they allege, that the Amanyanabo-in-Council sought to create a rival leadership by installing Evans Brown as a parallel chief in Bonny town.
This move is labelled by the Wari-Seniapu as “abominable” and contrary to Ibani customs and traditions. They express disappointment that the TCA did not act to halt or condemn this alleged breach of protocol, calling it a missed opportunity for the Assembly to fulfil its advisory role.
They argue that the phrase “faction of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House” is a political construct aimed at justifying continued control over Finima and its resources by the central Bonny traditional leadership. In their words, “the faction… only ends with them in Perekule Palace at Okoloama and not in Finima.”
The Wari-Seniapu also raise alarm over what they describe as a centralised oligarchy of chiefs and traditional heads within the kingdom. They allege that many of these leaders have abandoned the governance of their individual houses in favour of consolidating power through a central council, from which they attempt to control other communities such as Finima, Kurama, Deghma, Oguede, Kalaibiama, and the Jumbo Major House.
Nevertheless, the statement strikes a tone of resilience and readiness. The leadership of the Buoye Omuso Brown Group of Houses, the Wari-Seniapu state, is fully aware of these manoeuvres and has the capability to resist them effectively. They express appreciation for the more balanced approach taken by the Okoloama Ikpangi, whose publication called for both sides to be heard without being judgemental.
In closing, the Wari-Seniapu extend an olive branch to members of the TCA who have opted to reach out for genuine dialogue rather than propagate division. They reaffirm Finima’s commitment to preserving its cultural integrity, asserting that political expediency will not be allowed to undermine its identity.
The release concludes with solemn blessings and affirmations in Ibani, encapsulating the spiritual and cultural depth of their message.
Signed by the undersigned Wari-Seniapu of the Buoye Omuso Brown Major House of Finima:
Wari-Senibo Owuna Fenibo Esq. Owupele Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Sonny Jack Brown Abobo Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Henry Loving Brown Abobo Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Igbiwari Prince Brown Owupele Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Young Christopher Brown Goni Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Josiah Sonye Brown Owari Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Adaigbi Gabriel Brown Papanye Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Ernest Doughbo Brown Papanye Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo John O. Brown Owari Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Philip Samuel Brown Atamunotorudiari (Dupoyo) Chieftaincy House of Finima
Wari-Senibo Dr. Ibianga Philip Brown Atamunotorudiari (Dupuyo) Chieftaincy House of Finima
Finima Tamuno bara imim. Ori Obu se wapiri gbamsobiem. Pighi wamina ironapu bara bie wa duapamabo samangba. Akimu besa besa la. Amen.
The Upgrading of Family Units (Burusu) to Sub-Chieftaincy Houses: A New Era for the Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House of Finima
On January 12, 2024, a momentous proclamation was made by the Amadabo of Finima, Aseme Alabo Engr Dr Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo the VII, heralding the upgrade of Family Units, known locally as Burusu, to Sub-Chieftaincy Houses under the esteemed Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House of Finima. This significant transformation reflects not only a shift in the administrative structure of the community but also a celebration of cultural heritage and unity. The ceremonial conclusion of this upgrade was marked by a vibrant celebration on April 25 and 26, 2025, bringing together members of the community, dignitaries, and royal families from neighbouring regions.
A Historical Context
To truly appreciate the significance of this upgrade, one must delve into the rich history of the Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House. Finima, a vibrant community nestled within the Rivers State of Nigeria, has long been a melting pot of traditions, customs, and leadership structures. The Burusu, traditionally seen as family units, have been pivotal in maintaining the social fabric of the community. However, as the demands of modern governance and societal expectations evolved, so too did the need for a more structured leadership framework.
Aseme Alabo Engr Dr Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo XVII, the Paramount Chief (Amadabo) of Finima, marked a historic milestone when he officially upgraded the Family Units (Burusu) of the Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House to Sub‑chieftaincy Houses. First announced on January 12, 2024, the elevation recognized the importance and maturity of each Burusu within the Royal House and broadened local governance through the creation of distinct sub‑chieftaincy seats. The two‑day ceremonies, held on April 25–26, 2025, blended traditional rites with community celebrations, culminating in formal investitures and the presentation of staffs of office to the newly installed Sub‑chiefs. This FAQ‑style blog post delves into the background, the key moments of the upgrade, and answers the most common questions from community members and observers.
Background and Significance
The Buoye‑Omuso Brown Major House of Finima is one of the founding Houses of the Bonny Kingdom within the Ibani nation FINIMA. Historically, its leadership structure comprised a Paramount Chief (the Amadabo of Finima) and a Council of Wari‑Alapu formed by thirteen sub‑family units FINIMA.
His Royal Highness Engr Dr Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo XVII, serves as both Chief & Head of the Buoye‑Omuso Brown Major House and Amadabo of Finima LinkedIn. Under his stewardship, the House reaffirmed its ancestral governance and community roles, setting the stage for the formal recognition of its internal Burusu as distinct chieftaincy entities.
The proclamation made by the Amadabo, Aseme Alabo Engr Dr Dagogo Lambert Brown, was not merely an administrative change; it symbolised a commitment to enhancing governance within the community. By upgrading the Burusu to Sub-Chieftaincy Houses, the Amadabo aimed to empower local leaders, enabling them to better address the needs and aspirations of their constituents.
The Ceremony: A Celebration of Culture and Unity
The culmination of this initiative was celebrated over two days in late April 2025, with festivities that showcased the rich cultural heritage of Finima. The event was a grand affair, drawing attendees from various walks of life, including local chiefs, community leaders, and representatives from the broader Rivers State. Traditional music echoed through the air, and the vibrant colours of traditional attire adorned the gathering, creating a tapestry of cultural expression.
During the ceremony, the Amadabo delivered an inspiring speech, emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration among the newly appointed Sub-Chieftaincy Houses. He highlighted the role these leaders would play in fostering community development, resolving disputes, and preserving the cultural identity of Finima. This call to action resonated deeply with the audience, igniting a renewed sense of purpose among the community members.
The Upgrade Ceremony: April 25–26, 2025
Proclamation (January 12, 2024): The Amadabo formally announced the decision to elevate each of the thirteen Burusu to Sub‑chieftaincy status, citing the growth and contributions of these family units to the community’s welfare.
Preparatory Rites: Traditional purification and oath‑taking ceremonies were held at the palace grounds, invoking ancestral blessings and securing community consensus.
Day 1 – April 25, 2025: Presentation of new titles and staffs of office to ten Sub‑chiefs, alongside cultural dances and libations in honor of Finima’s ancestors.
Day 2 – April 26, 2025: Completion of investitures for the Abobo the first, Alabo Abinye Owen Brown, followed by a communal feast featuring local delicacies and performances by traditional masquerades.
Conclusion: The Amadabo delivered a keynote address emphasising unity and shared responsibility, officially closing the ceremonies with prayers and thanksgiving.
Community Engagement and Participation
One of the most heartening aspects of the ceremony was the active participation of the local populace. Families came together to celebrate their heritage, with children performing traditional dances and elders sharing stories of the past. This intergenerational exchange not only reinforced the community’s bonds but also served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House.
Moreover, workshops and discussions were held during the event, focusing on community development, conflict resolution, and the importance of education. These sessions aimed to empower community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. The emphasis on education, in particular, underscored the royal house’s commitment to fostering a brighter future for the younger generations.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
As the Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House of Finima embarks on this new chapter, the implications of the upgrade extend far beyond mere titles. It represents a proactive approach to governance, one that prioritises the voices of the community and fosters a spirit of inclusivity. The newly appointed Sub-Chieftaincy Houses are now tasked with the responsibility of bridging the gap between traditional leadership and modern governance, ensuring that the needs of the community are met with both respect for tradition and an eye towards innovation.
In conclusion, the upgrade of Family Units to Sub-Chieftaincy Houses under the Buoye-Omuso Brown Royal House of Finima is a significant milestone that embodies the spirit of progress and unity. As Finima moves forward, the collaboration between the royal house and the community will undoubtedly shape a brighter future, where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously. The recent ceremonies not only celebrated this transition but also ignited a renewed sense of purpose among the people of Finima, paving the way for a prosperous and cohesive community.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What exactly changed with the upgrade?
Answer: Each Burusu (family unit) within the Buoye‑Omuso Brown Major House now holds the status of a Sub‑chieftaincy House, enabling its head (formerly a Burusu Wariseniapu) to perform formal chieftaincy functions, sit on an expanded Council of Chiefs, and receive a staff of office directly from the Amadabo.
2. Why was the upgrade necessary?
Answer: Over decades, the Burusu have grown in size, influence, and contributions to Finima’s social and economic life. The upgrade formalises their roles, ensuring more equitable representation and empowering local decision‑making.
3. How many Sub‑chieftaincy Houses were created?
Answer: Thirteen Sub‑chieftaincy Houses were established, corresponding to the existing Burusu: Akpa, Cross, Dupuyo, Eli, Goro, Goni, Hart‑Brown, Iyariari, Owari, Owupele, Papanye, Sughu, and Tamunobere FINIMA.
4. Who presided over the ceremonies?
Answer: The ceremonies were led by the Amadabo of Finima, Aseme Alabo Engr Dr Dagogo Lambert Brown, supported by senior chiefs, elders, women’s and youth leaders, and invited dignitaries from across the Niger Delta.
5. Are there new duties for the Sub‑chiefs?
Answer: Yes. Sub‑chiefs now oversee dispute resolution within their House, lead developmental initiatives, and represent their unit at Council meetings for broader governance and resource allocation.
6. How does this affect the wider Bonny Kingdom?
Answer: While Sub‑chieftaincies operate under the Buoye‑Omuso Brown Royal House, they strengthen Finima’s internal structure and can serve as a model for other communities seeking more granular local governance under traditional systems.
7. Where can I find official records of the upgrade?
Answer: Official minutes and decrees are archived at the Finima Townhall and the Palace Records Office. A summary booklet will be published by the Finima Media Bureau later in the year.
8. How can community members engage with their Sub‑chief?
Answer: Each Sub‑chief’s palace is open on designated “Council Days,” and contact details will be shared via community notice boards and Finima’s official communication channels.
9. Will there be more upgrades in the future?
Answer: Any future adjustments to chieftaincy structures will depend on House consensus, demographic changes, and the Amadabo’s vision for sustainable community leadership.
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