Book Review: King Jaja of Opobo by John Adoga

In the late 19th century, King Jaja of Opobo was one of the most powerful and influential rulers in West Africa. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a major political figure has been explored in John Adoga’s new book, King Jaja of Opobo: A Reexamination of the History and Legacy of an African Monarch.

Image source

Title: King Jaja of Obobo

Author: John Adoga

Illustrator: Adams Gbolahan

Place of Publication: Nigeria

Date of Publication: Mainly 2020

ISBN: 979-8639966286.

Book Description: Literature, African History, Children’s book, Novel.

King Jaja of Obobo by John Adoga has 44pp.

Take a Brief Summary of King Jaja of Obobo/John Adoga:
King Jaja of Opobo was a fascinating book that detailed the life of one of Africa's most famous kings. Jaja was born in 1821 in what is now known as Nigeria. He was a member of the Ibibio tribe and became their king in 1841. Under his rule, the Ibibio prospered and became one of the most powerful tribes in Africa. Jaja also established trade routes with Europe and America, which brought great wealth to his kingdom.

In 1866, Britain annexed Nigeria and made it a colony. Jaja resisted British rule and even went to war with them, but he was eventually captured and exiled to Sierra Leone. He died there in 1873.

Despite his short reign, Jaja was an incredibly influential figure in African history. He was a skilled diplomat and trader, and he helped to make his kingdom one of the most prosperous in all of Africa.

Looking at the Critical Review of King Jaja of Obobo:
King Jaja of Opobo was one of the most powerful and influential kings in West Africa during the 1800s. He was a skilled diplomat and trader and was able to create a prosperous kingdom in the Niger Delta region. However, some historians have criticized Jaja for being too autocratic and for allegedly engaging in slave trading.

Critics argue that Jaja's rule was overly oppressive and that he did not tolerate any dissent from his subjects. They also accuse him of being involved in the slave trade, although there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Supporters of Jaja argue that he was a visionary leader who did much to improve the lives of his people. They point to his successful diplomacy and trade deals as evidence of his positive impact on the kingdom.

The debate over Jaja's legacy continues to this day, but there is no doubt that he was a significant figure in West African history.

Why King Jaja of Opobo is an Interesting Book I Love Reading:
King Jaja of Opobo is an interesting book because it tells the story of a man who was born into royalty but later became a slave. Jaja was born in the kingdom of Opobo, which was located in what is now Nigeria. His father was the king of Opobo, and his mother was a princess from a neighboring kingdom. When Jaja was seven years old, his father died, and he became the new king.

Jaja's reign as king was short-lived, however, as he was soon captured by British slave traders and sold into slavery. He spent the next several years working on plantations in the Caribbean before eventually being freed and returning to Africa.
Despite all that he had been through, Jaja remained a proud man, and he dedicated his life to fighting against British colonialism. He even led a rebellion against the British government in 1879.

Jaja's story is one of courage and determination, and it is clear that he was a man who loved his country and its people dearly. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about African history or the abolition of slavery.