Akoko Edo

LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Akoko Edo

Akoko Ẹdo

LGA

Country| Nigeria
State| Edo State
Headquarters| Igarra
Time zone| UTC+1 (WAT)

Ethnic group

ÀkókóLanguages

Akoko languages * Akoko dialects of the Yoruba language * Pidgin English
Religion
Christianity * Yoruba religion * Islam

Akoko Edo is a Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Igarra.[1][2] It has an area of 1,371 km2 and a population of 262,110 at the 2006 census.[3] It consists of the Akoko people, who are split between Ondo[4] and Edo States.[5] Most are recognized as Yoruba and bear names identical to their counterparts in Akoko Ondo. The Benin conquests during the reign of Oba Ozolua[6] (1483–1504) established its first settlements in the region,[7] while other people including the Bida, migrated there in search of fortune.[8] The war which Oba Esigie fought with the Attah of Idah in 1515–1516, would have also contributed to the migration of the Igbirra and Idah from the north and the east into the area.[9]

The postal code of the area is 312.

As of 2016, its population density is 249.9/km2 [2016][10]

The first local government chairman is Chief Joshua B. Mayaki.

## Geography

[edit]

The ancient Akoko-Edo area is situated in the northern part of Edo State in the south of the Niger-Benue confluence. Its dominant geographical and environmental features are chains of ancient ridges of rugged rocky hills and a cave, stretching across the length and breadth of what is now known as the Akoko-Edo LGA of the present northern Edo State, located between latitudes 6° 45′ and 7° 35′ north, and longitudes 5° 55′ and 6° 45′ east.[11] Akoko-Edo, with a population of about 124,000 by the 1991 census, and 261,567 by the 2006 national population census, occupies a land area of about 1,371 square kilometers or 6.5% of Edo State by landmass and constitutes about 5.70% of the population. The area is described as the ancestral homeland of the Akoko people, whose indigenous language is the Akoko language, which is classified as Akokoid.[12] Akoko-Edo is bounded in the north by the present Kwara State and parts of the present Kogi State, in the north-west by the present Ondo State, in the south-east by both Etsako west (Auchiclans) and Etsako north (Okpella), and in the south-west by Owan.[13]

## Climate

[edit]

Akoko Edo, situated at an elevation of 97.65 meters (320.37 feet) above sea level, falls under the classification of tropical wet and dry climate or savanna (Aw).

## Towns

[edit]

The towns include Egl 1, Egbigere 2, Atte, Igarra, Enwan, Aiyegunle, Ugboshi-Ele Ugboshi-Afe, Ekpesa, Ibillo, Ikiran-Ile, Ikiran oke, Ekor, Somorika, Lampese, Imoga, Ojah, Uneme-Akiosu, Ososo, Akuku, Ojirami-Dam, Imoga, Eshawa, Ojirami-Peteshi Ojirami-Afe, Dagbala, Makeke, Ekpe, Ekpedo, Bekuma, Okpe, Ogbe, Onumu, Akpama, Anyonron, Ogugu, Ikakumo, Ijaja, Oloma, Okunese, Uneme-Nekhua, Uneme-Erhurun and Ikpeshi.[14][15]

## Languages

[edit]

Due to unrestrained migrations and conquests, the people of Akoko Edo speak eight distinct languages that have overlapping occurrences. The indigenous language of the people is the Akoko language, which is closely related to the Yoruba language and a subset of the YEAI. Before the British conquest of Nigeria, most people in the region adopted Yoruba language as a primary language.[16] However, the Pidgin English has become the primary language of the people, but many in the region still adopt Yoruba names like their counterparts in Ondo state, the Akoko Ondo. Other languages and dialects in the region include the Ojiramis (Group II), who understand their neighbours, Akuku (Group III) and Enwan (Group I), but not the people in the other villages and settlements.

## Notable people

[edit]

Notable people from Akoko Edo include:

* Olu Ajayi, a Nigerian professional artist, painter, cartoonist, and art reviewer, with over 40 years experience in studio practice and art administration.
* Taiwo Akerele, a Nigerian policy economist, author, and politician.
* Peter Akpatason, Hon. Member Representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I (2023–2027).
* Domingo Alaba Obende, a businessman and politician.
* Akogun Babatunde, Majority Leader House of Representatives, National Assembly, (2007–2011).
* Joseph Babatunde L., Member House of Representatives, National Assembly Akoko-Edo, (1999–2003).
* Omobayo Godwins, a Nigerian politician and deputy governor of Edo State in 2024.
* Emmanuel Omoladun Agbaje, Member House of Assembly Akoko-Edo (2019–2023).
* Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje, Member House of Assembly Akoko-Edo (2019–2023).
* Donald Ojemeh Okogbe, former commissioner in Edo State, and Member House of Representatives, National Assembly Akoko-Edo Constituency II (2023–2027).
* Prof Iyabode Omolara Akewo Nwabueze, Professor of English (Language), Dean, Faculty of Arts, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria (2020–2024).
* Modupe Ozolua, a Lebanese-Nigerian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur.
* Robert O. Peters, a Nigerian film producer, director, cinematographer, actor, and occasional voice-over artist.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Edoaffairs (2019-08-16). "Edo State Local Government Areas and Headquarter Edoaffairs". Edoaffairs. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
2. ^ "Flood disaster claims lives and destroys property in Akoko-Edo". Independent Television/Radio. 2014-07-16. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
3. ^ places. "Towns & Villages in Akoko – Edo « Edo State « Nigeria". Towns & Villages. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
4. ^ "Ondo | Nigeria, Map, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
5. ^ Fadoro, J. O. (2012). Towards Akokoid Orthographies.
6. ^ "Ozolua | Edo Empire, Warrior & Conqueror | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
7. ^ OSIKI, O. M. (2009). Benin-Iuleha Relations in Pre-Colonial Times.
8. ^ Jimoh, S. A. (2022). ROLE OF COLLABORATORS AND MERCENARIES IN THE BIDA LED WARS IN AFEMAI LAND 1857–1897.
9. ^ "Akoko Edo people of Edo State, Nigeria". www.edoworld.net. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
10. ^ "Nigeria: Administrative Division (States and Local Government Areas) – Population Statistics, Charts and Map". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
11. ^ Samson, Orifah. "The Linguistic Situation and Geography of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria". `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
12. ^ "Akokoid languages". The Britannica. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
13. ^ "Boundary dispute: Two communities in Edo and Ondo states on edge". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
14. ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
15. ^ Mary (2014-03-03). "List of Towns and Villages in Akoko – Edo LGA". Nigeria Zip Codes. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
16. ^ Fadoro, J. O. (2012). Towards Akokoid Orthographies.

* v
* t
* e

Edo State

State capital: Benin City

Local government areas|

* Akoko Edo
* Egor
* Esan Central
* Esan North-East
* Esan South-East
* Esan West
* Etsako Central
* Etsako East
* Etsako West
* Igueben
* Ikpoba Okha
* Orhionmwon
* Oredo
* Ovia North-East
* Ovia South-West
* Owan East
* Owan West
* Uhunmwonde

Education|

| Universities|

* Ambrose Alli University
* Benson Idahosa University
* Edo University
* Igbinedion University, Okada
* Mudiame University
* Samuel Adegboyega University
* University of Benin
* Wellspring University

|

Polytechnics|

* Auchi Polytechnic
* Edo State Polytechnic Usen
* Kings Polytechnic
* Shaka Polytechnic

Colleges of education|

* College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi
* College of Education, Ekiadolor
* Edo Technical College

Secondary schools|

* Edo College
* Federal Government Girls College, Benin
* Lumen Christi International High School, Uromi
* Presentation National High School

Healthcare|

* Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital
* Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Teaching Hospital
* Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital
* University of Benin Teaching Hospital

See also: List of hospitals in Edo State

Mass media|

| Newspapers|

* Nigerian Observer
* Prime 9ja Online
* Obaland

|

Television|

* Edo Broadcasting Service
* Nigerian Television Authority
* Africa Independent Television
* Independent Television

Radio|

* 88.1
* 90.5
* 92.3
* 92.7
* 93.7
* 94.1
* 94.3
* 95.7
* 96.9
* 97.3
* 100.1
* 101.5
* 105.5

Transportation|

* Benin Airport
* Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Tourist attractions|

| Landmarks|

* Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin
* Benin City National Museum
* Holy Aruosa Cathedral

|

Sports venues|

* Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

Parks|

* Okomu National Park
* Ogba Zoo

Reserves|

* Okomu Forest Reserve
* Ohosu Game Reserve

Sport clubs|

* Edo Queens F.C.
* Bendel Insurance F.C.
* Bendel United F.C.

Culture|

* Igue festival
* Literature

Languages and dialects|

* Edo
* Edoid
* Esan
* Afenmai
* Enwan
* Ghotup
* Igwe
* Ikhin
* Ikpeshi
* Ivbiosakon
* Okpela
* Ososo
* Sasaru
* Uneme
* Akuku
* Oloma
* Okpe

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* United States
* Israel

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