Updated Short
History of Uromi By Freeman Eseigbe Okosun, Solomon Kehinde Okosun Isaiah Eromosele Okosun
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We hereby acknowledge the management of the
National Archives, Ibadan for making relevant documents and books available for
this project. We also wish to recount the effort of Dr Christopher Okojie for
his contribution for bringing into record the origin and history of some of the
towns under this project. We have referred to his record for use where
necessary. We also wish to acknowledge others whose works have been a benefit
to this publication.
HISTORY OF UROMI
The indigenes called the name as Uromi. This
name was called so until the arrival of immigrants from Idumuoza quarters of
Benin City. The aborigines have existed in Uromi before 1460 AD.
The people of Uromi in majority came from
Benin as a result of Oba Ewuare autocracy which made other Esan people to
settle where they are today.
The founder of the first recognized
settlement in Uromi was the second son of the three sons of an Oba's wife known
as Oakha. It was reliably gathered that Oakha offended her husband and had to
be taken away by her sons in order
to avoid being tracked down. They travelled far up to Uromi which was to make
vengeance impossible.
Two of the three sons are Asukpodudu and
Egbele. According to C. G. Okojie, Egbele said that he could not go further
because he had undergone serious torture as a result of his handicap nature. He
had mutilated fingers and toes. He decided to settle down. The eldest of the sons
Asukpodudn decided to proceed with his mother and the youngest brother because
he thought his father could still go as far as sending out search team to look for
his mother so they excluding Egbele proceeded to a place which is today known
as Uzozoghainghain of Idinegbon of Uzea town. The place where Egbele settled
was known later as Idumu-Oto Egbele. In 1460 AD when people left Benin in mass
exodus those who finally came to Uromi met the place originally as Oto Egbele
and its people can pass for the aborigines. The members of the ruling class in
Uromi were the leaders of the immigrants who left Benin to settle at Uromi.
As many refugees came in from Benin, some
decided to settle at Ivue under the leadership of Owu. Ivue today is known as a
proud and progressive Uromi community. There are seventeen villages that make
up today's Uromi. They are:
1.
Eguare
2.
Egbele
3.
Onewa
4.
Utako
5.
Unuwaza
6.
Arue
7.
Ebhoyoma
(Ebhoiyi)
8.
Efandion
9.
Ekhue
10. Uwal o-N ' okc
11. Ubierunmun
12. ldumu-Oza
13. Eror
14. Lvue
15. Obeidu
16. Ukoni and
17. Amedeokhian
It is necessruy to write out the detail history of each
of the villages.
1. Eguare
Eguare is the
headquarter and seat of traditional rulership. The Onojie resides there. In
Uromi, Eguare consists of:
a)
Okpuje
which was the 01iginal settlement
b)
Odiguele was 01iginally the place where slaves
were kept, before now. It is now inhabited by hard working people.
c)
Ikekiyala: in those days, the executioners
lived in the villages.
d)
Oyomo is the village where the crown prince
resides
e)
Okhieranlen:
This place was the hiding place for the slaves in those days. A majority of the
settlers came into Uromi from Idumoza in Benin.
2. Egbele
Egbele is the oldest
settlement in Uromi town. The position of the people of Egbele is vital in the
scheme of things. The installation of an Onojie at Eguare is not complete until
he has come to Alu-Oto-Egbele for his final installation as owner of Uromi
land. It consists the following quarters:
1)
Idumu-Oto-Egbele.
This settlement is generally regarded as the oldes.t habitation in the whole of
Esan land. When the sons Oakha fled with her sometime (1395 AD). Egbele, a
handicapped with bad hands and feet settled here while his senior asukpodudu and
his junior brother along with their mother Oakha continued on the joumey, the
very ancient settlement of egbele is marked by a shrine called Alu-OtoEgbele. The
prince who is the traditional title holder of Eholo. It was discovered that the
Eholo title holders were traced to Egbele.
2)
Idumu-Esele:
This was founded by Esele who was the younger brother of Ichesan. Ichesan was
in charge of the ward- robe of his royal highness, the Onojic.
3)
Afuda was
believed to be founded by some princes from Ebhoiyi.
4)
Idumuekhuere:
The founder of this settlement are believed to have come from Agbor.
5)
Idumuagbala:
The founders came from a town known as Aviele in today’s present Edo state.
6)
Ukpato
was founded by some people who fled Okaigben Ewohimi. Other quarters of:
7)
Idumu
Omon
8)
Idingun
9)
Idumu
Enabo
10) Idinbodin
11) Idunwemen and Usugbenu whose majority of the
settlers came from Irrua.
3. Onewa
Some followers of
Oghala of Ivue came into Onewa to settle down here. Others came in from
Ebhoiyi.
4. Ukato
This village was
earlier inhabited by people who came to settle from Okaigben and those who came
in from Ebhoiyi Okogun led those who
came in from Okaigben and became recognised the first lsodole. There is another
pat1 of Ukato known as lduedeso quarters believed to have been founded by an
Igala warriors who later settled down there. The native people of Uromi called Igala
Ighanlan.
5. Unuwazi
The early settlers of
this village came in from a town near Agbede called Abviele. The founders of
Odogbe migrated from a place near Ebhoran called Ote. The people of Unuwazi
village worship Oto Uromi. They are very rich in cultural dance called Ayele
which is displayed during the worship of Olaan.
6.
Arue
This village is very
important to the Uromi people because it was the residence of the head of Uromi
Inotu. It is a fact that some of the settlers of this village came from a town
called Uzea and Ekperi known by the indigenes as Ekhuei.
The Ebolo of Odogbe
the Great sent his heir to Arue so as to prepare him for succession. In the old
days, it was a general belief that the evil doers could plan to murder the heir
apparent so in order to avoid that and to guarantee his safety. The heir later
founded Uzeneman quarters in Arue village. He also gave birth to a man called
great Idu who also later became the founder of Qbeidu village of Uromi.
7. Ebhoyoma
Ebhoyoma also known
as Ebhoiyi. The Eguare village came under the attack of an epidemic suspected
to be acute cholera. Ichesan who settled at Eguare during the time experienced
the worst attack as his large harem and family were just dying one after the
others. His conscience pricked him to the extent that he offered sacrifice by
killing goats to appease to his ancestors. This he did often at the ancestral
shrine but the death toll continued to rise. He thought that because he took
his elder brother's seat made the ugly scene to happen. The Onojie and the
remaining of his family was saved by the invitation of Ijie the medicine man
from Emu town in Edo State of Nigeria. They would have been totally extinct.
The medicine man was heavily rewarded for the service he rendered.
The Onojie convinced Ijie to work for him as
the special native doctor to him, then it was an enviable position which was
created for Ijie. Ijie was handed over to the Esogban, a high chief of the
Onojie who gave Ijie a place to settle. That place today is known as Idumuijie. This quarter today is very important during
the burial and coronation ceremonies of an Onojie. The quarter is also
responsible for the purification and protection of the place Esogban who was
already living there Ijie founded the ldumughele quarter of ldun-Esogban.
The beginning of visit to Ebhoiyi by the
prince of Uromi at the death of the Onojie began from that time because of the
role ljie played by saving their family from death. They now saw him as a second
father who should be contacted and relied upon before taking important action. The
place Ebhoiyi was later corrupted at the advent of European traders as Ebhoyoma.
It is also on record that the princes they were asked to leave the palace at
the death of an Onojie for ljie's place was to solve any upheaval that might
arise from the princes. The native doctor to the palace, ljie, would resolve
the succession issue as he is highly regarded as a saviour. Any stubborn; Prince
would not go back to the palace but stay in a place around Ijie. The place is
today known as Idumigun, Ebhoiyi. The man who was delegated called lnenlen
became the founder of the settletnent of Idumigun.
When Onojie Agba died, his heir Ikenoa
succeeded him while Ikenoa's younger brothers left Eguare for Ebhoiyi. Onina
who was their leader later became the founder of Afuda Ebhoiyi.
8. Efandion
This village is one
of the largest of the villages that make up Uromi. It is the traditional home
of the Oniha of Uromi. It contains nine quarters namely:
a.
Idumun Uwague
b.
Idumun
Oshodi
c.
Idumun Obodo
d.
ldumun Ule
e.
Umonkhonmon
f.
Idumun lsolea
g.
Ldumuyegun
h.
ldumeka and
i.
Idumun Oniha
Okhale founded the Idumun Onika quatter,
Okhale who was Omi's third brother was believed to have escaped Okaigben in
Ewohimi town. Idumun Oshodi originated from Agbor, Idumun Obodo was founded by
one of the sons of Odeva of Amedeokhian, and Isele founded Umon Khorunon. Isele
was a popular Benin carpenter.
Idumun Isolea was also founded by a Benin man
called Omokhua. According to historical records Idumonyegua was related to Omi
family and also in relationship with Idumun Onihia. It is also on record that
ldumeka came out of Idumun Obodo and could be practically regarded as one.
Other quarters in this group came from different places to settle at Uromi.
There are other groups called Egbele- lmiokoko, they are settlers of Efandion.
They came from various places like Ehanlen Ewu and Ewohimi.
9. Ekhue
They came from Udo town to settle at Ehue
Uromi.
10. Uwalo-N'oke
Some of the settlers of Uwalo N'oke were
princes who moved out from Ebhoiyi while others left Okpuje quarters of Eguare
to settle in this village.
11. Ubierunmun
In the past this
village was located between Awo and Oyomo. They later migrated to a place today
known as Ubierunmun Nan Uwa. Few people who did not migrate then remained in
the place now known as Okhelen. This is the home of OhetrOsenebulua. Some of
the people of Ubiemnnun Uwa later moved while refugees from other places took
advantage by taking over the village. It is clear that the people of
Ubierununun Nan Uwa have no direct relationship with the people of Ubiemnmun.
They have no direct link neither with Okhelen. The beginning of today’s
Ubiemnmun can be linked with Okhelen. Other people also anived and settled in
the place from a place called Ebhoiyi and some were reported to be descendants of
Egbele Imiokoko. The position of Ubiemnmun village is very important as the
title of Usukhme who were respected for their roles in the Onojie's Ihogbe.
After so many year of emigration
and migrations of the Ubiemnmun, the title and office of the Usukhure was lost
to Ewele of Idumuewele.
However, the two traditional titles of
Osukhre and Ohen Agba are held in high esteem in Uromi.
12. Idum
un-Oza
Four of the ten quarters were founded by
princes who left Eguare in Uromi. Some settlers too were from Ewu, Irrua and
Emu towns. Historical records have it that some .of the settlers were members
of the Egbele Imiokoko.
13. Eror
This village is made up of people who came to
settle from Benin, Ora, Agbor and Ewohimi. Some came through Omi while others
came through Okaigben people who also left Ewohimi about the same time with
Omi.
14. Ivue
This place was where the people who left
Benin in the time of Oba Ewuare. It was not that they were the second set to
arrive. They were believed to have moved from Idumoza quatter of Benin under
the leadership of a man called Oghu.
According to history they first got to a place very near Irrua
where they settled. That place is known today as Eko-Eimuhi. There were always
quarrels and fighting between these people and their neighbours of lrrua. They always
had one problem or the other to solve which includes land and other farm
matters.
As a result of these frequent ugly events. Oghu
decided with his people to move further into the inland taken them few kilometres
to today’s Ivue. History has it that even Ivue had her original name or obhiei
before Oghu got there to settle down with people Ohen Oghu is found in that
place today.
Ichesan later back from his trip from Benin
being made the traditional ruler over his senior brother in the tradition and
customs of the Esan people of which Uromi is one, it is not acceptable for the senior brother to pay homage to his junior who
had erroneously be made Onojie by the Benin Oba then . It is on record that Ivue
does not pay annual tributes to the Onojie (traditional ruler) at Eguare
village wl1ich is the headquarters of Uromi.
Another unit of Ivue was founded by Eigha who
was one of Oghu's sons. Idingun was founded by Oghu's second son called Odehan.
More people began to join the settlement from deferent places like Eben's
Idumu-Igun quarters of Igueben. The second son assumed duty as the heir when
Oghu had driven away his first son who had become uncontrollable as a result of
stubbornness. He later went to settle and founded Udomi Irrua.
15. Obeidu
This village was the first settlement that was founded by
Idu who was the first grandson of a recognized traditional doctor called Ebolo
of Odogbc, Unuwazi. Some of the sons of Idu
who later grew up to become recognized traditional doctors left to found other
places in Uromi and even foundedIdunegbon in lrrua.
16. Ukoni
This is a very large village which comprises of”
·
Idumuodafen
quarter.
·
Idumu
Odion quarter
·
Idumuesonlon
quarter
·
Idumuogo
with Idumeka quarters
The Onojie of Uromi as at 1483 AD was Agba. His reign was
loved by the people. At a particular time one of his children whose name was
Ujiagbodo was seriously sick that it caused some fear among the residence of Eguare
then.
Agba sent for a powerful native doctor called Awenwen. He
hailed from Igbanke, Awenwen was able to do his best as regards the treatment
he gave to Ujiagbodo. It should be noted that Ujiagbodo was the second son of
the Onojie as at that time. The Onojie was however impressed by the success the
native doctor had achieved. He was very vast in the traditional medical
practice. As a result of the achievement of the native: doctor, he was
persuaded to stay and always to assist prince Ujiagbodo anytime it was
necessary. The native doctor accepted the offer to stay. He was highly rewarded
for it. The place he later settled is today known as IdumuOdion while the
settlement of prince Ujiagbodo became known as IdumuOdafen.
The other settlement are Idumuesonlon which
was founded by Awenwen's younger brother called monaole, IdumuOgo was founded
by lhanmonelen who was prince Ujiagbodo's younger brother. Idumeka was also
founded by Idumeka who came to settled from Efandion. It was recorded in
history that the early settlers of Ukoni village were descendants of the Great
War lords of Ewu town known as Ojeade.
17 Amedcokhian
This is made of two main quarters namely
Iduedeva and Idigun. They are linked with Ewohimi and other parts of Uromi
town. The Okaigben people of Ewohimi was traced to Benin. The founder of Okaigben
Ezenomon left Benin to settle with Onojie of Ewohimi. He lived in the place for
some years and later died living four sons behind. The names of the sons are
Omi, Odiale, Okhale and Okogun. These people were highly respected in the
villages of Uromi except for Odiale who later committed adultery with one of
the queens of the Onojie. This punishment was punishable with death. The best
that could happen to an offender was banishment from the town. This banishment
could only be meted in a situation where the culprit was seen as a man who had
contributed in one way or the other to the development of the village but may
be the offence was now assumed to have been committed as by mistake. It is
impm1ant to note here that it was the Onojie alone who could use his discretion
here. Unfortunately in Odiale's case, he was condemned to death. Pressure was
mounted on the Onojie to commute the sentence to banishment. He refused and at
the end Odiale's head was brought down. When the people of Okaigben saw what
had happened, they became frightened that even for the fact they left Benin
because of the tough rule of Ewuare that of the Onojie of Uromi was not far
from the happenings then at Benin, They left for a part of Ewohimi town.
COLONIAL AD1\1INISTRATION AND MODERN GOVERN1\1ENT
IN UROMI
The Colonial Administration.
Nige1ia was administered by the British. The introduction
of indirect rule did not go down well with the people as it affected the
traditional system of administration as well as the chieftaincy and rulership
classes in Uromi who were enjoying a different system of rulership before the
advent of British rule.
Suleiman Quadri has it that from 1939 reorganization of
the country, seven provinces including Benin province under which Uromi was
then governed, emerged founder the West. They later comprised the Western
Region of Nigeria in 1951. Other provinces beside Benin were Abeokuta, Colony
(Lagos), Ibadan, ljebu, Ondo and Warri (Delta in I 952).
Modern Self Government
In October 1, 1960, Nigeria was granted full
independence. In 1963 it became a republic. Mid-Western Region was created out
of the old Western Region in - Februaty.l964.following a referendum of July
1963 with Benin City as capital. The two provinces of Benin and Delta made up
the new region. Other regions in Nigeria then were Northern, Western and
Eastern Region. On May 27, 1967 the country was restructured into twelve states
by the Gowon military government.
Arrival of Party Politics
Nigerians were encouraged to form political parties as a
means of making her self-rule dream a reality. The Nigerian Youth Movement was
the nucleus that brought limelight in Nigeria. Some of the members later formed
the (N.C.N.C.) known as National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon in August
1944, followed by the (N.P.E.) Northern People’s Congress and the {A. G.)
Action Group in about 1951. This system
brought about modern method of governance. The parties contested elections and
Premiers and Members of the Parliaments were elected to curb the excesses of the Executive. General
Murtala Mohammed! Olusegun Obasanjo in July 29, 1975 came to power in Nigeria
and by February 3rd, 1976 created seven more states to make up nineteen states altogether. There and then
Mid-Western state was changed to Bendel and in 1991 it was further
divided into two separate states of Edo and Delta by the Babangida
administration. From the following tables the position of Uromi can be simply understood.
THE POSITION OF UROMI IN STATE STRUCTURES
Uromi town has existed under different administrative structures.
The following tables explain the position of Uromi at a particular period of
her history.
TABLE I
ADMINISTRATIVE
DISIVIONS IN MIN-WEST REGION 1964
Province
|
Administrative Division
|
Head Quarters
|
Benin
|
1.
Asaba
2.
Benin
3.
Ishan
4.
Kukuruku
|
Asaba
Benin
Ubiaja
Auchi
|
Delta
|
1.
Agbor
2.
Urhobo
3.
Warri
4.
W/Ijaw
|
Agbor
Warri
|
Source Compiled from various
publications
Here Uromi was under Ishan Division in Benin Province
TABLE 2
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS IN MID WEST STATE. 1967
S/N
|
ADMINISTRATIVE
DIVISION
|
ADMINISTRATE HEAD QUATER
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 9
11
12
13
14 |
Aboh
Akoko-Edo
Aniocha
Eastern Benin
Etsako
Eastern Urhobo
Lka
Ishan
Isoko
Owan
Warri
Western Benin
Western Ijaw
Western Urhobo
|
Kwale
Lgarra
Ogwashi-Uku
Abudu
Auchi
Uhelli
Agbor Ubiaja Oleh Afuze Warri
Lguobazuwa
Bomadi
Orerokpe
|
Source: Progress Report by the Bendel State Government on Local Government Reforms, July, 1976.
Uromi was one of the constituents
of Ishan Division
TABLE 3
LOCAL GOVERNMEI\T AREAS IN BENDEL STATE, 1976
S/N
|
Local Government Areas
|
Head Quarters
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
|
Agbazilo
Akoko-Edo
Aniocha
Bomadi
Burutu
Ethiope
Etsako
Ika
Isoko
Ndokwa
Okpe
Okpebho
Oredo
Orhionmwon
Oshimili
Ovia
Owan
Ughelli
Warri
|
Ubiaja
Igarra
Ogwashi-Uku
Bomadi
Burutu
Orerokpe
Auchi
Agbor
Oleh
Kwale
Sapele
Ekpoma
Benin City
Abudu
Asaba
1guobazuwa
Afuze
Ughelli
Warri
|
Source: Bendel Stare of Nigeria
azette, No. 43, Vol. 14. 16th July, Ekpoma was the head quarter Okpebho
local government
TABLE 4
LOCAL GOVERMENT AREAS
IN BENDEL STATE, 1989
S/N
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREAS
|
HEAD QUARTERS
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
|
Agbazilo
Akoko-Edo
Aniocha
Bomadi
Burutu
Etsako
Ethiope
Ika
Isoko
Ndokwa
Okpe
Okpebho
Oredo
Orhionmwon
Oshimili
Ovia
Owan
Sapele
Ughelli
Warri
|
Ubiaja
Igarra
Ogwashi-Uku
Bomadi
Burutu
Auchi
Orerokpe
Agbor
Oleh
Kwale
Sapele
Ekpoma
Benin City
Abudu
Asaba
1guobazuwa
Afuze
Sapele
Ughelli
Warri
|
Source: The laws of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, 1990; Federal Ministry of Justice, Local Government (Basic
Constitutional and Transitional Provisions) Act. Cap. 213. p 7711.
When more local government were created
in 1990 Ekpoma was still the headquarter of Okpebho local Government
TABLE 5
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN EDO STATE 1991
S/N
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
|
HEADQUARTER
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
|
Akoko-Edo
Esan Central
Esan North- East
Esan South- East
Esan West
Etsako East
Estako West
Oredo
Orhionmwon
Ovia North-East
Ovia South-West
Owan East
Owan West
Uhunmwode
|
Igara
Irrua
Uromi
Ubiaja
Ekpoma
Agenebode
Auchi
Benin City
Abudu
Okada
Iguobazua
Afuze
Sabongida Ora
Ehor
|
Source: Federal Republic of
Nigeria Official Gazette No. I, vol. 78, 1 Jan. 1991. State (Creation and
Transitional Provisions) (NO.2) 1991, No. 41, A293- 294.
When the new stale of Edo was
created Ekpoma became the headquarter of Esan South East.
TABLE 6
LOCAL GOVERMENT AREAS
IN BENDEL STATE, 1989
S/N
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREAS
|
HEAD QUARTERS
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
|
Akoko-Edo
Egor
Esan Central
Esan North- East
Esan South- East
Esan West
Etsako central
Estako east
Estsako west
Igueben
Ikpoba okha
Oredo
Orhionmwon
Ovia North-East
Ovia South-West
Owan East
Owan West
Uhunmwode
|
Igara
Uselu
Irrua
Uromi
Ubiaja
Ekpoma
Fugar
Agenebode
Auchi
Igueben
Idogho
Benin City
Abudu
Okada
Iguobazua
Afuze
Sabongida Ora
Ehor
|
Source: The Federal Republic
of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 7. Vol. 84, 3rd march 1997 Lagos Government
notice No. 10, Local Government (Basic Constitutional and Transitional
Provisions) Decree 1997. PP A214 -215
Uromi became the Head
=quarter of Esan South East Local Government.
TABLE 7
PREMIER/GOVERNOR/MILITARY ADMINISTRATORS OF
EDO STATE
S/No
|
Names
|
Office
|
Duration
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
|
Chief Denis C. Osadebey
Lt. Col. David A Ejoor
Brig.
Samuel 0. Ogbemudia
Col. George. A. lnnih
Comm. llusaini Ahdullahi
Brig. Ahuhakar Waziri
Prof: Ambrose F. Ali
Brig. Samud O.Oghcmudia (Rtd)
Brig. Jeremiah T. Useni
Col. John M. lnineger
Col. J .T. Ogbeha
Col. J E. Yeri
Chief J.E.K. Odigie Oyegun
Lt. Col. M.A. Omika
Col. Bassey
Asuquo
(Group Capt. baba A. Iyam
Navy Capt. A Oyaregbulem
|
Premier (Mid West Region)
Mil. Governor (mid west)
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor (Bendel State)
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor (Bendel State)
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor ,,
Mil.
Governor (Edo State)
Civ.
Governor (Edo State)
Mid
Administrator ,,
Mid
Administrator ,,
Mid
Administrator ,,
Mid
Administrator ,,
|
Aug. 1963 – Jan 1966
Jan. I 966- Aug. 1967
Sept. 196 –July 1975
Aug. 1975-March 1976
Mar. 1975 – July1978
July 1978 –Sept 1979
Oct. 1979-Sept. 1983
Oct. 983-Dec.1983
Jan. 1984 – Aug. 1985
Sept. 1985 – July 1988
1988 – 1990
1990 – 1992
1992 -1994
1994-1995
1995-1996
1996-1998
1998-date
|
TABLE 8
SECRETAIES TO THE STATES OF
GOVERMENT
S/No
|
Names
|
Office
|
Duration (appoint)
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
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Mr. A. I. Wilson OFR
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See to
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Aug. 1963 – Jan 1966
Jan. I 966- Aug. 1967
Sept. 196 –July 1975
Aug. 1975-March 1976
Mar. 1975 – July1978
July 1978 –Sept 1979
Oct. 1979-Sept. 1983
Oct. 983-Dec.1983
Jan. 1984 – Aug. 1985
Sept. 1985 – July 1988
1988 – 1990
1990 – 1992
1992 -1994
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THE TRADITIONAL RULERS OF UROMI
Among the immigrants from Idumoza, in Benin City in
1460 AD, settled down and Oghu led the people. However the first Onojie was
Ichesan who was installed in 1463 AD. The diagram below shows the other Enijie
that have reigned in Uromi.
The Royal List:
MODERN AMENITIES IN UROMI
Hospitals and Maternities
Uromi is a small town with both hospital and maternity
facilities.
Electricity
Uromi is enjoying the supply of electricity from
N.E.P.A (National Electric Power Authority).
Postal Services
There is a postal services rendered by the Nigerian
Postal Services (NIPOST) at Uromi town.
Radio and Television
These facilities are available in Uromi. The Edo State
Broadcasting Service transmit to all the corners of the town. In Uromi you can
receive stations from other states like Kaduna, Enugu, Ondo and P011 Harcourt.
Police Station
There is a Police Station in Uromi which assist in
maintaining law and order in the town. Some civil cases are settled at the
police station while the criminal cases are taking to court which are available
in Uromi.
Telephone Services
Telephone services are operational in the town.
Water
Water is very difficult to come by. People resort to
dig wells for storage of water during the raining season. People get water too
from boreholes.
Banking Facility
Uromi community depend on the services of Banks like
the First banks, Union Bank, Afribank etc. in Ekpoma and Irrua.
Esan Markets
In those days, say about 80 up to a century ago silent
trade was ve1y popular in Esan Land. Then articles or goods were displayed in
front of houses without anybody keeping watch of the goods but the pricing is
done by dividing the goods into different sizes. The buyers did not need to see
the sellers before sales are made.
The owners of the goods and the buyers were honest so
the buyers would only put the equivalent amount of money and nobody steals the
good or the money.
Open markets are the order of these days. Things
changed as the level of civilization rose and there was need to even negotiate
prices and collect changes.
The establishment of markets was done because of the
need to go to a central location to purchase certain items.
The market days are fixed in Esanland as a whole with
each town having its own market days when all other towns will converge to buy
fi-om the host selling town and also sell there.
The market days are as scheduled by the entire Enijies
of all the Esan towns (Enijie plural). These markets are held eve1y four days.
1st Day of the week
Egoro, Ekpon, Ibore, Ugboha, fgueben, Okhuesan etc.
2nd Day of the week
Irrua, Opoji, Oh0rdua, Ebelle, Ubiaja etc
3rd Day of the week
Uromi. Iruekpen, Ewohimi, Amahor, Emu, Ogwa
4th Day of the week
Ewu, Ewatto, Ugbegun, Ewossa, Igor, Amahor Waterside,
Illushi and Egoro.
Occupation
The people of this town are predominantly farmers.
They produce both cash and food products. Rubber trees are planted and
marketed. Some of the people plant yams, groundnuts, palm trees etc.
Commerce
Many of the farmers take their products to the markets
on the designated time and venues. The commercial life and activities of Uromi
are gradually developing.
Religion
Uromi is· made up of both Christians and Muslims.
Christians are more in number than the Muslims. Muslims believers are few in
numbers. The traditional worshippers are found from village to village.
Education
There are primary and seconda1y schools in the town.
These have given the children in Uromi to be educated.
Transportation
The taxi cabs, buses and motorcyclists have made
movement to be easy. A commuter can move from one part of the town to the other
without wasting much valuable time.
Hotel
Apart from the government owned state Hotels, there
are other private ones like Nova Hotels in Uromi. There are also many
restaurants and Inns in the town for lodging.
