The Source of the Report.
On Page II of my Preface to Volume I, “Kalabari Clan Conferences at Abalama on the Intelligence Report, 1935,” I draw the attention of readers to the fact that it was agreed that, the Kalagbeas should narrate the works of their ancestors during the forthcoming meeting and that the Jacks and the Briggs would also be heard if they had anything to say.
The next meeting, which was held at Abalama on 19th May 1975, was boycotted by the Kalagbeas who, on that same day, started their two-day conference at Abonnema under the shady boughs of the huge mango tree then standing close to the inner compound of the late Chief Bob Manuel. Those trees, with their spreading branches which formed a very comfortable arbour where the late “S. Bob” used to gather us together day by day to listen to some old law-court case proceedings and the performances of eminent lawyers, have long been hewn down. Present at the conferences were:-
ABONNEMA
Chiefs:
- John Georgewill (Paramount head of the Royal House of Kalagbea).
- Walter Bob-Manuel (Amayanabo of Abonnema).
- Gladstone Bob-Manuel.
- Graham Douglas.
- Samuel Black Duke.
- Frederrick Quaker Dokubo.
- Marcus Georgewill.
- Samuel Alex Georgewill.
- Fubara Granville.
- Ebenezer Don Pedro.
- Stanley Don Pedro.
- Messrs.
- Frank Amakiri Bestman.
- James Dabiri Bob-Manuel.
- Davies Bob-Manuel,
- Sokari. Bob-Manuel.
- James Obone Manuel.
- Obadiah Douglas.
- Sylvanus Fineface and many others.
BAKANA
Chiefs
- Dick Suku Braide (Amayanabo of Bakana).
- Johnson Marian Braide.
- Benson Fubara Long-John.
- Tom Bealnut Don Pedro.
- David Long John.
- Mr. Alfred Fikilo Davies and other gentlemen.
The report was compiled by me from narrations unanimously accepted by the attendants, and so the authenticity of the statements rests entirely with the Royal House of Kalagbea. The original copy of this report was forwarded to the Divisional Officer, Degema (Capt. Kelsey).
The Failures Of The Kalagbeas
As already indicated above, the Kalagbeas were allowed at the Abalama conferences to come forward during the next meeting scheduled for 19th May, 1935, to narrate the deeds of their fore-fathers as did the Amachrees in their own turn. Why, then, did they not attend the meeting to fight out issues face to face with the Amachrees? Why should they resort to a sectional conference and forward a report unknown to the opposing side? What makes them fall so deplorably at every political crisis?