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Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie - Culture (3) - Nairaland

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Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Burgerlomo: 6:00am On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


No it doesn't, when government declares public holidays does it infringe on you right?

The public holidays are declared for the government employees and that doesn't stop any private businesses from operating during that period if they choose to cool

1 Like

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Efewestern: 6:02am On Mar 17, 2018
Nowenuse:


Ok, great answer.
I hope Okpe leaders never pull out of the union, they would be making a very big mistake by doing that. I wonder why people like to unnecessarily divide themselves into smaller bits, instead of uniting with each other to form a greater force.

As for Isoko, I have met many of them who are so proud of their oneness with urhobo and are very much okay if you call them Urhobo. But it seems like they are in the minority.
Do you really have an idea why Isokos pulled out of the union?

Bad politics by Awolowo, this is one area I detest him, he created the bad blood by giving isoko a unique identity.

Till date I see no reason why isoko shouldnt part of urhobo land, well they made their decision, and we can't force our identity on any body, with the political strength of the urhobos in Nigeria any subgroup that decides to leave does that at their own detriment.

Don't mind my too many questions. I love history a lot. I was also born in Uvwie land, so I find it quite bad that I do not know much of Urhobo history.

Also, why is Sapele so big and developed compared to Orerokpe which is the headquarters of Okpe kingdom? It is ironic.

Orerokpe case is quite different, during the 18th century an Orodje was brutally murdered in his palace, he placed a curse on the land. reason the level of development is slow but steady.

cc: fratermathy

2 Likes

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Burgerlomo: 6:05am On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


No it doesn't, when government declares public holidays does it infringe on you right?

The government can't force anybody to close their shops just because they declared a public holidays except during the sanitation days which of course is not a public holidays cool
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Tejiriseth(m): 7:12am On Mar 17, 2018
News Reaching Me says thats There's Unrest In Ekpan..(In Uvwie Kingdom/LGA) . And Ekpan Uprising Is Never palatable.! . What has been done about It.?
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Nowenuse: 8:28am On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


Okpe and Uvwie dialect are fast loosing it, Only few can speak the original language, they are now speaking general urhobo land and answering general urhobo names.

I wish the urhobo community can do something to help protect the dying language. and by the way where are u from?

Ok, great responses from you.
I am actually from Plateau state, but I was born and bred in Ekpan, Uvwie.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Nowenuse: 8:30am On Mar 17, 2018
Tejiriseth:
News Reaching Me says thats There's Unrest In Ekpan..(In Uvwie Kingdom/LGA)
.
And Ekpan Uprising Is Never palatable.!
.
What has been done about It.?

Seriously It is very sad. Uprisings in Ekpan is now like a daily thing. A lot of Ekpan youths have lost it because of politics of bad blood.
The situation however is now under control.

2 Likes

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 9:04am On Mar 17, 2018
Nowenuse:


Ok, great answer.
I hope Okpe leaders never pull out of the union, they would be making a very big mistake by doing that. I wonder why people like to unnecessarily divide themselves into smaller bits, instead of uniting with each other to form a greater force.

As for Isoko, I have met many of them who are so proud of their oneness with urhobo and are very much okay if you call them Urhobo. But it seems like they are in the minority.
Do you really have an idea why Isokos pulled out of the union?

Don't mind my too many questions. I love history a lot. I was also born in Uvwie land, so I find it quite bad that I do not know much of Urhobo history.

Also, why is Sapele so big and developed compared to Orerokpe which is the headquarters of Okpe kingdom? It is ironic.

Sorry for replying late.

Isoko pulled out because they felt they were being marginalised by the other Urhobos. Isoko used to be regarded as Eastern Urhobo and they were grouped together with Urhobos in the current Ughelli North LGA. However, the headquarters of the Eastern Urhobo district was Ughelli Town. The Isokos didn't like that. They also didn't like the fact that many of their people were gradually learning Urhobo due to the Ughelli factor (as they had to learn it in order to communicate there).

However, one of the main factors in the division was essentially Awolowo, as Efe already hinted. Awolowo wanted Urhobos to support him and his party (AG) but Urhobos did otherwise and supported a largely Eastern party (NCNC). Unfortunately, AG won and Awolowo decided to punish the Urhobos in numerous ways. He retitled the Olu of Itsekiri to Olu of Warri (so as to create a wrong impression about the then Warri district, as well as to annoy Urhobos). He also quickly removed the Isoko from the Urhobo in order to reduce Urhobo's numerical strength in the Western Region. Although he did this in connivance with an Isoko man (James Otobo) who was then representing Eastern Urhobo division (majority of the Isokos seemed to have supported AG as against the generality of the Urhobo nation).

With the devolution of power to the Isoko people via the creation of an Isoko district, the Isokos were quick to emphasise their own identity. They immediately formed the Isoko Development Union and pulled out of Urhobo Progress Union. What was unfortunate was the fact that Urhobos couldn't do much to salvage the situation as there was already bad blood before Awolowo and James Otobo worked to expunge Isoko from Urhobo.

Interestingly too, Awolowo also tried to remove Okpe but the Okpe people decided against that move. Although a minority of them wanted it and fiercely campaigned for it but with the Orodje on the Urhobo wagon, nothing much could be achieved.

Sapele is today more developed than Orerokpe due to its closeness to the Atlantic ocean (the British were able to access it and set up a colony there). It had always been an important trading town as it connects various cities and towns such as Benin, Warri, Koko, etc. Sapele also used to have one of the biggest wood markets and mill in the entire continent (indigenous governments ran it aground). Infact, Sapele was the relaxation spot of the British administrators and was described as a beautiful jewel by the Ethiope.

Orerokpe, on the other hand, like Efe hinted, used to be a ghost town because a tyrannical king was murdered there and many people ran away. In fact, it was not until as late as 1930 that people started moving back into the town, especially when the Orodje was reinstated by the colonial masters. So Orerokpe has had a shorter modern history than Sapele and it was of no real significance to the colonialists so nothing important was sited there. Infact, when the monarchy was reinstated, many people said it should be sited at Sapele instead but the Orodje wanted it to be at the traditional headquarters of the people.

3 Likes

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 9:08am On Mar 17, 2018
Nowenuse:


Ok interesting.

I wish Urhobo youths would value their language more. I only meet like 1 in 20 urhobo youths who actually take pride in their language. In Effurun-Warri Urban area for instance, you hardly see 2 urhobo youths speaking in Urhobo, but I commonly see Ijaw youths speaking their language together. Uvwie is the worst! In all my life in Ekpan and environs, I never saw an uvwie youth speaking the language.

Many of these youths have negative attitudes towards Urhobo all in the name of modernisation. However, Urhobo leaders and enlightened youths are trying to correct that misnomer. So many things are being done at the various schools and colleges around Urhoboland. The leaders are also adding incentives to learning the language by granting scholarships or financial reliefs to youths who can speak Urhobo fluently. So many things are in place to salvage the situation, at least for the next generation.

1 Like

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 9:15am On Mar 17, 2018
coputa:
There's is no such place as modern day warri.Warri is warri with three local government areas:warri north,warri south West and warri south.
Effurun is formally under okpe local government, when uvwie local government was founded with its headquarters in Effurun,it was then removed from okpe local government.
So,don't distort,bend and misinform readers with your bogus postulation.

You are uneducated and seem not to grasp the basic reality of modernity. Of course, Uvwie is Uvwie and its not Warri, just as Okpanam is not Asaba or as Choba is not Port Harcourt or as Ikorodu is not Lagos but we call these places by the cities they are annexed to. It is simple geography! Warri Kingdom is NOT Warri City (this is a point many Itsekiris fail to grasp). Warri City is mostly Agbassa, Okere, Ekurede, and Effurun. Of which Effurun (arguably another city in itself) has become a cornubation of Warri and thus, people inevitably refer to Effurun as Warri.


Do not reply me on this issue again. The point has been made and I cease from any further communication with you.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 9:17am On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


Dude everywhere is dirty in Nigeria, have u been to Lagos of recent?, so I don't understand your point, the only place that is even very dirty is effurun, alaka axis. Some places like Ubrumede, jakpa road, etc are very neat and okay.

The guy has an issue with Urhobos, especially Uvwie, so don't try to appeal to his higher faculty. He has none! Leave him to relish in his idiocy. What is in Uvwie that cannot be found in Warri South, Warri North or even Asaba? Mtcheww!
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Efewestern: 9:28am On Mar 17, 2018
mathy001:


The guy has an issue with Urhobos, especially Uvwie, so don't try to appeal to his higher faculty. He has none! Leave him to relish in his idiocy. What is in Uvwie that cannot be found in Warri South, Warri North or even Asaba? Mtcheww!

All his comment from page one was just anti-urhobo. obviously jealous that Uvwie is more developed than his outdated town/kingdom.

1 Like

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 9:42am On Mar 17, 2018
Burgerlomo:


The public holidays are declared for the government employees and that doesn't stop any private businesses from operating during that period if they choose to cool

What about curfews?
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 9:45am On Mar 17, 2018
Nowenuse:


Ok, great responses from you.
I am actually from Plateau state, but I was born and bred in Ekpan, Uvwie.

I thought you were Ijaw? I'm surprised! So which ethnic group in Plateau are you from? There are so many groups in that state that I can't even remember them. I wonder why there are so many micro-groups!
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by iguita: 10:34am On Mar 17, 2018
I am not tackling you, I am just asking for information basis. Is this king more important than Olu of Warrior?
fratermathy:
Ovie r'Uvwie, wo su ntor!

He is one of the most important kings in Urhoboland and he controls one of the largest kingdoms. Most of what we know as present day Warri is under his domain. His kingdom is also 100% urbanised, making Uvwie a center of Urhobo civilisation.

He is royalty personified! A true scion and advocate of Urhobo!

Umogu! Umogu! Wo sun tor, Wo rhie tor!

Happy 10th anniversary! Your reign has been peaceful and impactful.

Uvwie wadoo!


Lko
Opharhe
Onosprince
DBriteLitehouse
Scionofurhobo
Caringguy
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 11:37am On Mar 17, 2018
iguita:
I am not tackling you, I am just asking for information basis. Is this king more important than Olu of Warrior?

No king is more important than another. For one, they are both first class kings. Their kingdoms are about the same size. However, the Olu had always curried favours from both the colonial masters and the successive governments. The Ovie represents his people well and so does the Olu. The Olu appears to be a little bit popular because of the anomalous title that he bears as the Olu of Warri because Warri is a popular city.

However, the point should be noted that the Warri kingdom is different from Warri City. Warri or Iwere Kingdom is mainly an offshore kingdom, whereas Warri City is a mainland locale with diverse ethnicities and multiple kings.

1 Like

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Burgerlomo: 11:53am On Mar 17, 2018
mathy001:


What about curfews?

A curfew is a law stating that people must stay inside their houses at a particular time which usually happens at night cool
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by jared007: 11:58am On Mar 17, 2018
mathy001:


Urhobo operates a policy of equal kingdoms no matter how large or how small the kingdom is. This is so practical such that the Ovie of Okparabe with a small kingdom is not inferior to the Orodje of Okpe with a large kingdom.

However, even though equality manifests in theory and praxis, the popularity of kingdoms and their sizes take center space. Kingdoms such as Okpe, Ughelli and Uvwie, are known for their large landmass and historical monarchies. These kingdoms are also urbanised. In truth, they can be said to be the most populous, with Okpe taking the lead and Uvwie being cognate. However, their Kings are not of more importance than other kings in Urhoboland.

In terms of size, Okpe is also the largest, covering 2 LGAs. Agbon comes next in size and Uvwie takes the 3rd position.

If I am to give my personal opinion on this, I'll say that the Orodje of Okpe and the Ovie of Uvwie, by virtue of the size of their kingdoms and their education/pre-kingship achievements, command more respect. The Ohworode of Olomu also commands respect as the oldest living Urhobo king!
Actually by landmass u right concerning Okpe and Agbon but Uvwie isn't 3rd. Ughievwen in Ughelli South is larger than Udu lga. Udu is larger than Uvwie. Even Ughelli is larger than Uvwie. Uvwie is very small by landmass but heavily populated.

By respect we have Okpe, Uvwie and Ughelli which is actually the oldest Kingdom in Urhoboland and it practices the true monarchy by heredity.

1 Like

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by jared007: 12:03pm On Mar 17, 2018
obaataaokpaewu:
But that place(Aziza junction, Ohore) Nowenuse is saying, there is a signpost of the Ovie's 10th anniversary mounted there. Will Okpe allow such to be mounted in their land?
The Uvwie and Okpe are fighting over those territories.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by trinity11(m): 1:14pm On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:

Orimi're mavor, wo mor'uvwie?
Orimiré réré? wewo ómò r'uvwie?
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Efewestern: 1:18pm On Mar 17, 2018
trinity11:

Orimiré réré? wewo ómò r'uvwie?
E'guo or', ome' okwo'Agbon.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by trinity11(m): 1:36pm On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:

E'guo or', ome' okwo'Agbon.
okay
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 2:03pm On Mar 17, 2018
jared007:
Actually by landmass u right concerning Okpe and Agbon but Uvwie isn't 3rd. Ughievwen in Ughelli South is larger than Udu lga. Udu is larger than Uvwie. Even Ughelli is larger than Uvwie. Uvwie is very small by landmass but heavily populated.

By respect we have Okpe, Uvwie and Ughelli which is actually the oldest Kingdom in Urhoboland and it practices the true monarchy by heredity.

Oniovo, thank you for correcting me. Regards.

1 Like

Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by clefstone(m): 2:24pm On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


@Bolded, let me help you out. there is no Urhobo kingdom that Is not at least 600-400years old , agbon Kingdom for example has produced up to 7-10 kings and I can get the names for you if you so wish.

7-10 kings would equal not more than 100yrs. That's a very short period indeed.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by clefstone(m): 2:41pm On Mar 17, 2018
mathy001:


Many Urhobo clans never fancied monarchies. What was in vogue was gerontocracy or otherwise quipped as ekpako r'Urhobo oyin Ivie r'Urhobo (Urhobo elders are Urhobo Kings). We also had a few cases of plutocracy.

Taking care of a king was expensive and tasking and so the Urhobos of old were not interested in setting up kingdoms. They were satisfied with the wisdom of the elders in arbitration and administration.

It was in the colonial period that many of the so-called kingdoms were created due to the British policy of indirect rule. The British wanted a direct leader that they could use for their own good and so they mandated all the Urhobo polities to set up kingdoms. That is why some of these kingdoms are fairly new.

However, there are exceptions to the foregoing. Some historical monarchies, heriditary even, exist in Urhoboland. The Ughelli Kingdom can trace their heriditary monarchy to the very first king that reigned when they arrived their present location (and they have had more than 10 kings). Same goes for Okpe, Agbarha, Olomu, and others. Historians are yet to publish many works on the history of these kingdoms and that is why they seem not to have a long line of kings. But rest assured that if you look for them, you will find them. Urhobo kingship was never about subjugation or conquest as obtained in many other polities. It was primarily for arbitration, consultation and other ritualistic functions. The Ivie
never sought to increase their territories or wage wars. They were mainly charismatic figures who garnered respect.

Finally, stop making sweeping generalisations on monarchies in an ethnic group. You have to research thoroughly and consult the people before you assume anything. Some groups, probably due to early contacts with the Europeans, have documented kings but others did not have such luck but that is not to say kings did not exist in those polities. Luckily for us, many Urhobo scholars are researching into our past and many more findings will be made.
what u wrote are mostly speculations. Oral traditions are usually strong in Africa and most historical kingdoms in Africa hv rich oral histories. The Urhobos on the other hand are weak in this regard. No rich oral history to be enjoyed by the people and visitors. I am saying this because I grew up among Urhobos and in Urhobo land. Now as a grown up I think to myself, why didn't I ever hear of a great historical Urhobo figure like a great king or warrior. I'm not trying to be anti-urhobo(actually I can't be) but there are a lot of questions begging for answers

I have come to the conclusion that the Urhobo people at the start of colonization were a group of people, not well organized, possibly constantly migrating and primeval, lacking an organized system of govt(this u alluded to) and maybe subject of another group most likely the Benin Kingdom. Correct me where I'm wrong

cc efewestern
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by coputa(m): 2:54pm On Mar 17, 2018
mathy001:


The guy has an issue with Urhobos, especially Uvwie, so don't try to appeal to his higher faculty. He has none! Leave him to relish in his idiocy. What is in Uvwie that cannot be found in Warri South, Warri North or even Asaba? Mtcheww!
warri south local government with it's meagre resources embarks on monthly cleanup of the council areas(excluding the monthly environmental sanitation exercise) what is Uvwie doing with its huge resources(taxes) generated from oil giant in its domain,nothing.look at the effurun market that generate huge revenue to the council,look dirty and unkempt,The effurun roundabout which is the gateway to warri is filled with touts collecting illegal fees from unsuspecting motorist,sometimes they were dispossessed of their valuables,this has greatly driven away potential investors..Uvwie has all the potentials for greatness but thuggery,agberoism and deveism is their bane
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by mathy001: 4:01pm On Mar 17, 2018
clefstone:
what u wrote are mostly speculations. Oral traditions are usually strong in Africa and most historical kingdoms in Africa hv rich oral histories. The Urhobos on the other hand are weak in this regard. No rich oral history to be enjoyed by the people and visitors. I am saying this because I grew up among Urhobos and in Urhobo land. Now as a grown up I think to myself, why didn't I ever hear of a great historical Urhobo figure like a great king or warrior. I'm not trying to be anti-urhobo(actually I can't be) but there are a lot of questions begging for answers

I have come to the conclusion that the Urhobo people at the start of colonization were a group of people, not well organized, possibly constantly migrating and primeval, lacking an organized system of govt(this u alluded to) and maybe subject of another group most likely the Benin Kingdom. Correct me where I'm wrong

cc efewestern

And what you have written is not speculative?

I won't repeat myself. The point has been made.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by jmichael259(m): 4:09pm On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


We shouldn't copy the white always, even the Nigeria constitution recognizes customary law provided it doesn't infringe on anyone's right.

So nothing backward about the celebration.


how does closing people's means of livelihood forcefully not infringe on their rights to freedom of movement (to live and work anywhere) freedom of association (to choose to associate or not associate)

It also affects other innocent passersby who might be traveling past the area and/or might need the services of a vulcaniser, food seller, taxi e.t.c. IN A SITUATION OF EMERGENCY
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by nams77: 10:28pm On Mar 17, 2018
Efewestern:


Orimi're mavor, wo mor'uvwie?
I want to ask a question not related to this.
Do you know egbo? After otokutu? One of my boy has been disturbing me to get a plot there. May likely go and see things for myself
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Efewestern: 10:32pm On Mar 17, 2018
nams77:

I want to ask a question not related to this.
Do you know egbo? After otokutu? One of my boy has been disturbing me to get a plot there. May likely go and see things for myself

Am not too familiar with that area.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Nowenuse: 3:20am On Mar 18, 2018
mathy001:


Sorry for replying late.

Isoko pulled out because they felt they were being marginalised by the other Urhobos. Isoko used to be regarded as Eastern Urhobo and they were grouped together with Urhobos in the current Ughelli North LGA. However, the headquarters of the Eastern Urhobo district was Ughelli Town. The Isokos didn't like that. They also didn't like the fact that many of their people were gradually learning Urhobo due to the Ughelli factor (as they had to learn it in order to communicate there).

However, one of the main factors in the division was essentially Awolowo, as Efe already hinted. Awolowo wanted Urhobos to support him and his party (AG) but Urhobos did otherwise and supported a largely Eastern party (NCNC). Unfortunately, AG won and Awolowo decided to punish the Urhobos in numerous ways. He retitled the Olu of Itsekiri to Olu of Warri (so as to create a wrong impression about the then Warri district, as well as to annoy Urhobos). He also quickly removed the Isoko from the Urhobo in order to reduce Urhobo's numerical strength in the Western Region. Although he did this in connivance with an Isoko man (James Otobo) who was then representing Eastern Urhobo division (majority of the Isokos seemed to have supported AG as against the generality of the Urhobo nation).

With the devolution of power to the Isoko people via the creation of an Isoko district, the Isokos were quick to emphasise their own identity. They immediately formed the Isoko Development Union and pulled out of Urhobo Progress Union. What was unfortunate was the fact that Urhobos couldn't do much to salvage the situation as there was already bad blood before Awolowo and James Otobo worked to expunge Isoko from Urhobo.

Interestingly too, Awolowo also tried to remove Okpe but the Okpe people decided against that move. Although a minority of them wanted it and fiercely campaigned for it but with the Orodje on the Urhobo wagon, nothing much could be achieved.

Sapele is today more developed than Orerokpe due to its closeness to the Atlantic ocean (the British were able to access it and set up a colony there). It had always been an important trading town as it connects various cities and towns such as Benin, Warri, Koko, etc. Sapele also used to have one of the biggest wood markets and mill in the entire continent (indigenous governments ran it aground). Infact, Sapele was the relaxation spot of the British administrators and was described as a beautiful jewel by the Ethiope.

Orerokpe, on the other hand, like Efe hinted, used to be a ghost town because a tyrannical king was murdered there and many people ran away. In fact, it was not until as late as 1930 that people started moving back into the town, especially when the Orodje was reinstated by the colonial masters. So Orerokpe has had a shorter modern history than Sapele and it was of no real significance to the colonialists so nothing important was sited there. Infact, when the monarchy was reinstated, many people said it should be sited at Sapele instead but the Orodje wanted it to be at the traditional headquarters of the people.


Wow, very enlightening. Thanks.

It was very obvious that during the old regional govts, minority groups were treated as 'pieces of trash'. You can imagine a yoruba man faraway in yoruba land dividing people's history, origins and destinies just because of politics and all in the name of a united western region. .... This is why as much as I hate Yakubu Gowon for not standing for the middlebelt people, I guess I and most of we Nigerian minorities still owe him that gratitude for creating states. Although midwestern minorities already got their own region before that time, so, Eastern & northern minorities were the ones who really benefited.

Northern minority groups experienced worse under regional govts, apart from being cut to bits, the British connived with the Sokoto sultanate to plant in Emirs and Hausa settlements all over the northern region, even in areas that were never conquered by fulani jihad and had no businesses with an Emir. A lot of towns that never belonged to Hausa people were renamed into Hausa language.
In 1964, the Sardauna ordered soldiers to descend on Tiv people and massacre those who were protesting against northern inclusion and Hausa/fulani domination.


Yeah, I remember the stories I heard of Sapele and how influential it was in those days. It is sad that the town is now a shadow of it's past glory.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Nowenuse: 3:27am On Mar 18, 2018
mathy001:


Many of these youths have negative attitudes towards Urhobo all in the name of modernisation. However, Urhobo leaders and enlightened youths are trying to correct that misnomer. So many things are being done at the various schools and colleges around Urhoboland. The leaders are also adding incentives to learning the language by granting scholarships or financial reliefs to youths who can speak Urhobo fluently. So many things are in place to salvage the situation, at least for the next generation.

Ok, great to know that.
Re: Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso's 10th Coronation Anniversary As The Ovie Of Uvwie by Nowenuse: 3:48am On Mar 18, 2018
mathy001:


I thought you were Ijaw? I'm surprised! So which ethnic group in Plateau are you from? There are so many groups in that state that I can't even remember them. I wonder why there are so many micro-groups!

My ethnic group is Pyem.
There are so many ethnic groups in not just Plateau alone. Southern Kaduna has more ethnic groups than Plateau. Taraba and Adamawa are just something else, both states have more than 120 ethnic groups combined.

The reason for this heavy heterogeneity is simple. DIVIDE AND RULE THEM.

Actually, most of these ethnic groups in Plateau and environs are very similar to each other in language, cultures etc, but they were heavily divided by the colonial administration and indirect rule, in order to ensure that no group is large enough to challenge Hausa domination of the entire northern region.

Take for instance, when the missionaries came, they wanted to use the Ngas language to evangelize the entire Plateau and environs cos they obviously saw how similar this language was to others around, but the British heavily rejected this and urged the missionaries to use Hausa language for evangelism. There was an Ngas bible before a Hausa bible.

The British and Sokoto sultanate very well knew that the missionaries would have united all Plateau people and environs with Ngas language, forming a very large christian ethnic group which would heavily rival Hausa-fulani domination of the northern region.

The missionaries agreed and used Hausa instead and this is why Hausa eventually became the lingua franca on the Plateau and environs.

Also, it was said that due to the highness of the Plateau, many ethnic groups from far and wide sought refuge there against fulani jihad, hence the reason for the heavy heterogeneity. This actually makes no sense to me, cos all the areas neighbouring Plateau are equally heavily heterogenous. Also, Southern Kaduna was never conquered by fulani jihad, yet they were not on the Plateau.

Bauchi state actually has more ethnic groups than Plateau state and were of similar ethnic stocks to Plateau people, only that unfortunately most of them accepted islam and today they have been Hausanized. Lost and lost forever.

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