The community of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Local Government Area gathered on Saturday November 19, 2023 for the official opening of The Crocodile Park, a recreational center built in honor of the late monarch, His Royal Majesty King Zumoh Efeke V.
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At the event, his son and proprietor of the park, Arc. Ere Efeke, shared his father’s impressive life story, focused on his education, career, and achievements as a politician, industrialist, and philanthropist.
King Efeke V was born in 1912 and received his primary education in Amassoma and Kaiama, and secondary education in Port Harcourt and Warri. He worked as a dispensary attendant before moving to Lagos to join the Colonial Department of Agriculture. He returned to Amassoma in 1951 to engage in full-scale farming and politics, becoming a prominent organizer for the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), and the chairman of Oporoma District Council (now Southern Ijaw Local Government Area) and the Rivers State Marketing Board.
As a leader in his community, King Efeke V fought for the recognition of the Ogboin Chieftaincy Stool as first-class in the Eastern Region, becoming the first-class Chief to represent the former Yenagoa Province in the Eastern Nigerian House of Chiefs in 1960.
During his reign as the Majestic Ebenanaowei of Ogboin Kingdom from 1956 to 1976, he was a vocal advocate for the creation of Rivers State, and his efforts led to his popularly known nickname, “Crocodile of Rivers State.”
In addition to his political and community roles, King Efeke V also excelled as an industrialist, establishing the first mineral water plant in the Ijaw speaking area of the country and building transport boats that boosted commerce in Amassoma and Onitsha. He was also a successful farmer, with one of the largest cocoa plantations in the area.
The Crocodile Park is a fitting tribute to King Efeke V, offering a range of amenities including a restaurant, bar, shawarma, and car wash. The recreational center also serves as a gathering place for the community, as King Efeke V was known for his philanthropy and kind-heartedness, having died while sharing his wealth with others in 1994.
The park is a testament to his legacy, and a celebration of his life and accomplishments.
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