On Daybreak West Africa we always celebrate our very own, in the present, future and past.

King Jaja of Opobo was the first king of Opobo. He was also the founder of Opobo city-state in present-day Rivers State of Nigeria.

In his youth, Jaja was kidnapped from Igboland by black slave raiders and sold into slavery. He was then brought to Ijawland thereafter.

Jaja of Opobo became very good at trading. He made so much money that he was able to buy his freedom from his masters.

Some people in Bonny wanted to make Jaja their King because he was smart and very good at his job.