Uromi

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Uromi
Town
Uromi Main Market.jpg
Uromi Main Market
Uromi
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Uromi
Location of Uromi in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°42′N6°20′E / 6.7°N 6.33°E / 6.7; 6.33
CountryNigeria
State Edo State
LGA Esan North-East
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)

Uromi is a city located in north-eastern Esan, an ethnic group in Central Edo state, Nigeria. At various points in Uromi's history, the city and people have been known for their resilience and strength. The people of Uromi, led by Agba N'Ojie resisted the Benin Empire expansionism during the reign of Oba Ozolua. They were also at the forefront of the resistance of the British invasion of Esanland.

Contents

History

Uromi, originally known as 'Uronmun', is the most populated area in Esanland, [1] settled by several waves of people. The first wave consisted of the aborigines who were believed to have settled in the various autonomous villages, from the present day central Nigeria. These settlements date as far back as 100 AD. The villages had a system of gerontocracy where the eldest man was the head. Then other migrants poured in from various places in present day Esanland, Ifeku Island and Benin. The Kingdom itself was formed by around the 1100 AD to 1200 AD.

The Kingdom is headed by a King who is known as Onojie in Esan language. The present King of the town is HRH, the Ojiuromi (Ojie Uromi) Anslem Okojie Aidenojie II.

Uromi is a conurbation of villages divided into three groups, recognized as Okhiode, Obiruan and Obiyon.

The villages of Okhiode

Consisting of:

The villages of Obiruan

Consisting of:

The villages of Obiyon

Consisting of:

Eguare, the seat of the Onojie of Uromi, is made up of seven villages, namely:

The seven villages have the responsibility of crowning a new king.

Economy

A large percentage of the economy of Uromi is derived from local farming and trading, with some contribution from the government's budget. Uromi's productive farm output is mainly the result of its situation in a rain forest zone, its loamy soil type and its topography.

Uromi also has a good number of markets that provide opportunities for local farmers to trade their farm products. The Uromi Main Market has good, portable lock-up stores. Although officially market day is held at four-day intervals, the Uromi Main Market operates daily from morning to late evening. Across Uromi, there may be up to three markets in each village, with some village markets functioning at four-day intervals, while others trade every day.

Apart from farming and trading, other business transactions take place on a daily basis. In Eguare, there are many business offices both in the government-owned business sector and in the privately owned business sectors. Some examples of financial businesses include the Union Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria, Unity Bank, Zenith Bank, EcoBank, Fidelity Bank, Uromi Community Bank, and other monetary firms like the Uromi Microfinance Bank, etc.

Uromi is home to the Institute of Construction Technology and Management (NICTM) situated on Uromi-Ugboha Road. The NICTM provides a wide range of courses, including Computer Science and Civil Engineering. [3] Additionally, Uromi is also host to the Uromi Technical College located in Onewa Village. [4]

Religion and belief

Uromi traditional religion has many similarities to the Bini traditional religion, [5] even though Westernization has caused Christianity and Islamic influence. And of course, this is because originally the Esans hails from the Benin Kingdom.

Esan religion has so many deities, which among them are:

Osanobua: which actually is the main and really Edo-Esan god. This name was adopted into Christianity as God, and thus the meaning and the translation for God in Esanland is Osanobua.

Eshu: This is the Esan trickster god. This god is related with the Yoruba and Edo myth. This name "Eshu" was also adopted into the Western religion, which is translated as Satan by Christian missionaries.

Osun: This is the Esan god of medicine. This god can also be said to be related to the Yoruba deity (known as Osun). This is where the surname "Olokun" known as the "son of medicine" originated from.

Festivals

Talking about Uromi, we must mention some of the traditional festivals with the knowledge that Uromi people value their tradition so much. Speaking on one of the festivals known as OTO-UROMI and briefly on Amukpe.

As the name implies, Oto-Uromi (Uromi land) is celebrated in the month of July or early August. This celebration is done to appease the land of Uromi in order for good harvest. The date for this festival is always a market day, fixed by the Onojie of Uromi who acts on the advice of his Chiefs. The people are given a notice of 15 days after the announcement of the date for the purpose of preparation.

It is a custom that no one goes to the farm on the day of celebration. The ceremony is performed on a chosen spot by Iwienbola people. To appease the land or the soil, these items are brought; Four sticks of chalk, four kola-nuts, cowries, ripe pumpkin and a dog. The people merry, sharing gifts among themselves, most especially, in every home, women send gift to their husbands for giving them portion of the farm for the year. After the festival, the Onojie of Uromi summons his elders and chiefs and through them appreciates the people for making the celebration a success.

Another festival celebrated in Uromi is the Amukpe festival which is celebrated yearly during the month of August. It is always a day celebration which is meant to usher in new yams.

Geography

The city of Uromi lies in north-eastern Esan in Edo State, Nigeria, located on longitude 3° 24' E and latitude 6° 27' N. Almost the whole of the city is covered with land [6] .[ citation needed ]

Climate

The climate in Uromi is similar to that of the rest of southern Nigeria. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November. There is a brief relatively dry spell in August and September and a longer dry season from December to March. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages over 300 mm (12 in), while in August and September it is down to 75 mm (3 inches) and in January as low as 35 mm (1.5 inches). The main dry season is accompanied by harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert, which between December and early February can be quite strong. The average temperature in January is 27 °C (79 °F) and for July it is 25 °C (77 °F). On average the hottest month is March; with a mean temperature of 29 °C (84 °F); while July is the coolest month. [7]

Politics and government

Uromi is not a municipality and has therefore no overall city administration or governance but instead, it is run by the Local government council headed by a Chairman.

Uromi is not a local government but is the seat of the local government council governing the Esan North-East local government area. The administration of the government of Uromi is divided into eleven (11) wards. Each ward delegates a Councillor who represents it at its local council election who is normally tenured for four years.

Notable people

Kingship

The Uromi kingdom is a monarchical territory headed by a king (Onojie) who handles the leadership of the kingdom. The leadership in the Uromi kingdom is a hereditary monarchy system. The king is the monarch who rules with the body of chiefs who assist the king in the leadership of the kingdom.[ citation needed ]

List of Kings of Uromi kingdom

The different villages of Uromi are led by the Elders of the individual villages who are responsible to the king. The council of Elders are headed by an indigenous elderly man who by birth is eldest among all the male indigenes. The council of elders have their own legislative authority and so are able to mete out punishment to offenders within their designation.[ citation needed ]

See also

Footnotes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Uromi</span> Roman Catholic diocese in Edo State, Nigeria

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Uromi in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria was created on December 14, 2005, when it was split off from the Archdiocese of Benin City. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Benin City. Its first bishop was Augustine Obiora Akubeze. The St Anthony of Padua church in Uromi was selected to be its cathedral. The canonical erection of the diocese and the episcopal ordination of the bishop took place on Saturday, February 25, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan people</span> Ethnic group in Nigeria

Esan people, or Esans, are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group who share a common culture and the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogbidi Okojie</span> Onojie of Uromi

Ogbidi Okojie, Onojie (king) of Uromi, was a ruler of the Esan people in what is now Edo State in Nigeria, still remembered for his opposition to British rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo people</span> Nigerian ethnic group

The Edopeople, also referred to as the Beninpeople, are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group. They are prominently native to seven southern local government areas of Edo State, Nigeria. They are speakers of the Edo language and are closely related to other Edoid ethnic groups, such as the Esan, the Etsakọ, the Isoko and Urhobo as well as other southern ethnic groups

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan North-East</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Esan North-East is a Local Government Area located in Edo State of Nigeria. It has an estimated population of 119,346. Its headquarters are in Uromi/Uzea.

Igueben is a local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are located in the town of Igueben, which has an area of 380 km2 (150 sq mi) and a population of 69,639 according to the 2006 census. The postal code is 310.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekpoma</span> Town in Edo State, Nigeria

Ekpoma is a town in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the administrative headquarters of the Esan West Local Government Area. Ekpoma lies on the geographical coordinate of latitude 6°45′N6°08′E. The town has an official Post Office, and it is home to the Ambrose Alli University. Currently Ekpoma town is developing with major infrastructures, hospitals, schools, modern eateries and roads. The town is also secured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ewu</span> Town in Edo State, Nigeria

Ewu is a Nigerian town situated in Esan Central Local Government Area in the Edo State of Nigeria. The city, an Esan tribe, lies on 200 feet in the plateau region of central Edo State, 100 kilometres north of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian traditional rulers</span> Subnational monarchs in Nigeria

Nigerian traditional rulers often derive their titles from the rulers of independent states or communities that existed before the formation of modern Nigeria. Although they do not have formal political power, in many cases they continue to command respect from their people and have considerable influence in their community.

Ibore is an ancient city located in northern part of Esan an ethnic group in Edo state, Nigeria. It is one of the major towns in the present day Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

Ugbokhare is a village located in the northern part of Esan central local government, Irrua in Edo State, Nigeria with its political zone in ward four. Ugbokhare is about 20 to 30 minutes from the local government headquarters by car. Ugbokhare is surrounded by the villages of Udowo, Ewu, Ivue and Ibore.

Ogwa is a town in Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the constituent communities of Esanland. The people of Ogwa speak the Esan language. The language of the Esan people shares the same name as the name of the land itself. Esan and Ishan are interchangeably used to refer to the same place, language and people. Ishan is the anglicized variant for Esan. The Ogwa people in Edo State identify themselves as Esan or Ishan people. Ogwa has four clans: Eguare, Ukpogu, Izogen and Eha. These clans are headed by most elderly men in each of them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esanland</span> Cultural Region in Nigeria

Esanland, otherwise known as Esan Nation, is a cultural region located in Edo State, Nigeria. It is composed of five Local Government Areas in Edo State. Esanland lies west of the banks of the Niger River. It is bordered by Kogi State, Delta State, Edo South Senatorial District, and Edo North Senatorial District. Esanland covers about 2,800 square kilometers and is home to over half a million people. The Esan people and culture of Esanland are generally homogenous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebelle</span> A town in Igueben LGA

Ebelle, one of the major Esan kingdoms in Edo State, Nigeria, is a populated place located in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Within Ebelle are the villages of Owa, Ologhe, Okuta, Okpujie, Idumowu, and Eguare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifford Ordia</span> Politician

Clifford Ordia is a Nigerian engineer and politician who hails from Usugbenu Irrua in Esan Central local government area of Edo State. He served as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, representing the people of Edo Central senatorial district, Edo State, in the Nigerian Senate. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Agba N'Ojieof Uromi, originally called Agba, was the ruler of the Esan people from 1483 AD until 1507 AD. Considered an important Onojie in the history of the Esan people, he was instrumental in maintaining the independence of Esanland from the old Benin Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idoa, Nigeria</span> Esan community in Edo State, Nigeria

Idoa is an Esan community in Edo, Nigeria. The city, an Esan tribe, stretches through the highlands and plains of central Edo State. It is 120 kilometres north of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, having boundaries with Ekpoma in the west, Ukhun in the south, Ewu in the east and Agbede in the north. Residents are mainly farmers and grow crops, including yams, rice, cassava, taro and cocoa. The city of Idoa is currently made up of the following five clans: Afuku-N'Edo, Afokolo, Atologua, Ubi and Ofie.


Ujiogba is a community located in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, South South Nigeria. The community is headed by an "onojie" shares boundary with Ogwa community and Ehor Village. The community is largely an agrarian society and dominated by the Esan speaking people of Edo State.

Ugboha is a town in Esan South Local Government of Edo State Nigeria. Ugboha lies on the geographical coordinate of latitude 6°45′N6°28′E.

Urohi sometimes spelt as Urhohi is a kingdom in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the several kingdoms in Esanland. The kingdom is governed by King called Onojie. In 2017, the sixteenth Onojie of Urohi Kingdom was installed,but celebrated his coronation in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Contributor, Pulse (17 December 2021). "Uromi: A brief walk into the history, culture and beliefs of the Esan people". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 22 June 2024.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ↑ "Ubierumu Oke, Esan North East". www.nigeriapostcode.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "Schools – NICTM" . Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "FEDERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE, UROMI" . Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Uromi: A brief walk into the history, culture and beliefs of the Esan people". Pulse.ng. 17 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER IN UROMI EDO STATE NIGERIA". www.ijser.org. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  7. ↑ Lagos#cite note-5
  8. ↑ "OBITUARY: Tony Anenih: Nigeria's 'Mr Fix It'". 29 October 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Sensors Increase Productivity in Harsh Environments | NASA Spinoff". Spinoff.nasa.gov. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  10. ↑ "About Us". Uromicommunity-ny.com. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
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