Nembe
About
Nembe is a town and Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It covers an area of 760 square kilometres and had an estimated population of 327,500 as at 2024. Much of the area is occupied by the Edumanom National Forest. The Nembe people primarily live in Nembe Local Government Area, as well as in the towns of Twon Brass and Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area, and in other coastal parts of Bayelsa State. They speak the Nembe language, a sub-dialect of Ijaw, and are known for traditional livelihoods such as fishing, trading and farming. The area's oil-producing communities have complained of neglect by oil companies and of long-running oil spillages and pollution.
History
The people of Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw Councils have lamented years of oil spillages that have destroyed their environment and aquatic life, as well as air and water pollution, and have called on the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission and international communities to intervene. The Nembe masquerade culture is described as an ancient tradition, with masquerades regarded as spirit beings representing community ancestors. The culture is traced to a dance club called Sekiapu, said to have been founded in the 18th century by Meinyai Orugbani, the last son of King Mein of Nembe.
Source: Wikipedia: Nembe
Key Facts
State
Bayelsa State
Chairman
Samuel Akalaguo
Area
760 km²
Population
327,500 (2024 est)