Igede
Total population
c. 300,000-500,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria: Benue State, Cross-River State, Ogun State, Osun State
Languages
Igede
Religion
Christianity, Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Idoma, Igbo Tiv, Etulo, Cross-River Languages

The Igede people are a Nigerian ethnic group[2] in Lower Benue State of Nigeria.[3] They are native to the Oju and Obi local government areas of Nigeria, where 2006 population figures stand at an estimated 267,198 people.[4] However, many Igede people are dispersed across the state and the Nation. For instance, the Igede language is also spoken in Nigeria's Cross River State, and many Igede communities exist in Osun State and Ogun State.[5] The Igede language is a member of the Benue-Congo subgroup of the Niger-Congo language family.

Geographical location

The Oju Local Government Area was created in 1976 and shares boundaries with present-day Obi, Ado, Konshisha and Gwer East Local Government Areas of Benue State, Ebonyi and Izzi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, and Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State. It is headquartered in Oju Town.[6]

The Obi Local Government Area was created in 1996 and has its headquarters at Obarike-Ito. The local government area derives its name from the Obi stream that flows in the area and shares boundary with Ado, Otukpo and Oju local government areas of Benue State.[7]

History

Origin: Oral tradition

The Igede trace their origin to Sabon Gida Ora in present-day Edo state. They are said to be the descendants of Agba, a high chief in Sabon Gida Ora. A skirmish between the Igede and the natives of Ora led to their migration from that region to present-day Benue state through Nsukka in Enugu state. This historical event in Igede history is commonly recounted in song and drama, for instance the record and drama piece "Ego ny'Igede".[8]

Origin: Archival records

Archival records portray them as migrants from Ogoja province who have increasingly adopted the culture and practices of the Idoma.[9]

Administration and politics

Politically, the Igede falls under the Benue South senatorial district.[10]

Igede culture

The Igede are predominantly farmers cultivating maize, cassava, groundnut and yams. Igede is home of the popular Igede-Agba festival, a colourful annual celebration that marks the yam harvest season in September.[11]

Igede traditional clothes are blue, black, and white stripes.

Notable Igede people

  • Ode Ojowu, Chief Economic Adviser to President Obasanjo and CEO National Planning Commission[12]
  • Oga Okwoche, Former Nigerian Ambassador to France[13]
  • Peter Okwoche, host of the BBC Focus on Africa TV news magazine programme[13]
  • Ogiri Ajene, former Deputy Governor of Benue State
  • Dr. Stephen Ijaha, The pioneer rector of Delta State Polytechnic
  • Otefe-Oghara, Late Joel I. Iji, Ace Broadcaster
  • Prof. (Chief) John E. Enyi, Lecturer BSU, astute public Administrator and Rural Development

References

  1. ↑ Odey, Mike (2020). Understanding Igede Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Future of Igede Cultural Heritage in Benue State, Nigeria. p. 263.
  2. ↑ "Our Story". Indigenous People of Biafra USA. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  3. ↑ "Igede.org". Igede.org. Archived from the original on 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  4. ↑ "Brief History". Igede.org. 2010-11-10. Archived from the original on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  5. ↑ Olatokun, Wole; Ayanbode, O.F. (April 2009). "Use of indigenous knowledge by women in a Nigerian rural community". Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 8 (2): 287–295. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  6. ↑ https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/daily-trust-sunday/20140302/282157879169288. Retrieved 2022-05-24 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ "Obi Local Government Area". IdomaLand. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  8. ↑ David Agogo (2011-09-02), Ego nyi Igede, retrieved 2016-05-27
  9. ↑ Ugbem, Confort E. (2013). "The Social Relations of Identity Construction and Reconstruction among Ethnic Groups in Benue State, Nigeria". IFRA E-papers. Archived from the original on 2016-07-17. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  10. ↑ "Benue Guber & The Dynamics Of Zone C Politics". benue.com.ng. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  11. ↑ Ebhota, Eseohe (2014-03-02). "Intriguing traditional wedding rites of the Igede people". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  12. ↑ "Nigeria: The Sack of Prof Ode Ojowu". allafrica.com. Daily Trust. 2005-11-28. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  13. 1 2 Odeh, Onche (2014-11-01). "Every radio station in Lagos refused to hire me – BBC's Okwoche". Archived from the original on 2014-11-02. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
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