The Urhobos are people located in southern

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

, near the northwestern

Niger Delta The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitic ...

. The Urhobos are the major ethnic group in Delta State, one of the 36 states in

, Ethnic Nationality in the

Federal Republic of Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of ...

. The Urhobo people speak the

Urhobo language Urhobo is a South-Western Edoid language spoken by the Urhobo people of southern Nigeria. From the region of Delta and Bayelsa State. They are also known as fishermen. Their neighbours are the Isoko to the South East, the Itsekiri to the West, ...

. The word Urhobo refers to a group of people rather than a territory. Approximately 5 million people are Urhobos. They have a social and cultural affinity to the Bini people of

. The Urhobo people live in a territory bounded by

latitude In geography, latitude is a coordinate that specifies the north– south position of a point on the surface of the Earth or another celestial body. Latitude is given as an angle that ranges from –90° at the south pole to 90° at the north ...

s 6°and 5°, 15° North and Longitudes 5°, 40° and 6°, 25° East in the Delta and the

Bayelsa State Bayelsa is one of the states in the South-South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta region. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. Yena ...

s of Nigeria. Their neighbors are the Isoko to the southeast, the

Itsekiri The Itsekiri (also called the Isekiri, ''iJekri'', ''Itsekri'', ''Ishekiri'', or Itsekhiri) are one of the Yoruboid subgroup of Nigeria's Niger Delta area, Delta State. The Itsekiris presently number 2.7 million people and live mainly in the W ...

and

Ijaw Ijaw may refer to: * Ijaw people *Ijaw languages The Izon languages (), otherwise known as the Ịjọ languages, are the languages spoken by the Izon people in southern Nigeria. Classification The Ijo languages were traditionally considered a ...

to the west, the Bini and Bini to the north, the Ijaw to the south and the Ukwuan i people to the northeast. The

Ughelli Ughelli is a town in Delta State, Nigeria, and one of the 24 kingdoms that make up the Urhobo Nation. It also serves as the headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of Delta State. The city is indigenous to the Urhobo ethnic nation ...

and Agbon Kingdoms are the oldest kingdoms in Urhoboland.The Ughelli and Agbon Kingdoms can be traced to about 14th Century.

oral tradition has it that the great ancestor and founding father of Ughelli (Ughene) is the second son of Oghwoghwa, a Prince from Benin Kingdom. The Okpe Kingdom is also one of the twenty four kingdoms in Urhobo land. The Kingdom has been in existence before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th Century. The Okpe Kingdom was established formally in the 17th Century. The Okpe people are known to have migrated to found the present day Sapele and the Orodje of Okpe still exercises authority over the land of Sapele. Urhobo territory consists of evergreen forests with many oil palm trees. The territory is covered by a network of streams, whose volume and flow are directly affected by the seasons. The

wet season The wet season (sometimes called the Rainy season) is the time of year when most of a region's average annual rainfall occurs. It is the time of year where the majority of a country's or region's annual precipitation occurs. Generally, the sea ...

is traditionally from April to October, and

dry season The dry season is a yearly period of low rainfall, especially in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which moves from the northern to the southern tropics and back over the course of the year. The ...

ranges from November to March.

Indigenous government and politics

The Urhobos are organized into two different political kingdoms, gerontocracies and plutocracies. A

gerontocracy A gerontocracy is a form of oligarchical rule in which an entity is ruled by leaders who are significantly older than most of the adult population. In many political structures, power within the ruling class accumulates with age, making the oldes ...

is a government run by elders, based on the age-grade-system, while a

plutocracy A plutocracy () or plutarchy is a society that is ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income. The first known use of the term in English dates from 1631. Unlike most political systems, plutocracy is not rooted in any establishe ...

is governed by the rich and wealthy, with some elements of gerontocracy. Although it is not clear which kingship is older among the kingdoms, their developments reached a peak in the 1940s and 50s. The Urhobo government structure occurs at two levels, kingdom and town. The people are organized either by elders or by the wealthy. Urhobo

indigenous Indigenous may refer to: *Indigenous peoples *Indigenous (ecology), presence in a region as the result of only natural processes, with no human intervention *Indigenous (band), an American blues-rock band *Indigenous (horse), a Hong Kong racehorse ...

governments have an ''Ovie'' (king), who is the highest political figure. The Ovie is the symbol of the kingdoms' culture and royal predecessors. His Councillors consist of the ''Otota'' (speaker), and the ''Ohonvwore'' or ''Okakuro'', addressed collectively as ''Ilorogun'' (singular: ''Olorogun''). Other title holders are the executioners (''Ikoikpokpo''), and the warriors (''Ogbu''). Other political titles are specific to the different kingdoms. The

judicial system The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law ...

places a clear distinction between civil and criminal offenses. The queen, is called ''Ovieya'', and her children are known as ''Ọmọ Ovie''. Presently, this name is given to children without royal heritage. Some Urhobo cultural divisions adopted titles other than Ovie. For example, the Okpe call their traditional ruler ''Orodje'',

Okere-Urhobo Okere-Urhobo is the name of one of the two Urhobo kingdoms in Warri South Local Government, Delta State, Nigeria, the other being Agbassa. History Okere-Urhobo is one of two district Urhobo social groupings found in what is known as Warri ...

call theirs ''Orosuen'',

Agbarho Agbarho is a town in the Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, Nigeria. It is also one of the kingdoms that make up the Urhobo Tribe The Urhobo are the main tribes living within this area. They speak the Agbarho dialect of Urhobo, which is the t ...

uses ''Osuivie'', Orogun use ''Okpara-Uku''" (mainly due to their proximity with

Ukwuani people The Ukwuani people (also called Ndokwa people are a subgroup of the Igbo people located in the southern part of Nigeria in the western part of the Niger Delta and other areas. Origin Their origin is debated, with the narrative being that they ...

), and the Urhobos in the Olomu Kingdom call their king ''Ohworode''. Some southern Urhobo clans and communities also practice the Odio system, which is widespread in the Isoko region.

Location

The States of the Nigerian Region in the 19th Century

The bulk of the Urhobo people reside in the southwestern states of Delta and

Bayelsa Bayelsa is one of the states in the South-South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta region. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. Y ...

in Nigeria, also referred to as the

. Ofoni is an Urhobo community in

Sagbama Sagbama is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Southern part of Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sagbama. Part of the area of the LGA lies within the Bayelsa National Forest. It has an area of 945 km and a population o ...

, Local Government Area, in

. Ofoni is about 40 kilometers by water to

. Many Urhobos live in small and major cities in regions or local government areas in

Warri The city of Warri is an oil hub within South-South Nigeria and houses an annex of the Delta State Government House. Warri City is one of the major hubs of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Warri and her twin city, Uvwie are the commercial ...

Abraka Abraka, is a town in Delta state, Nigeria. It is also home to two of the main 24 urhobo kingdoms. It is mostly known as a university town and has the main campus of the Delta State University located there. Abraka town is a favourite destina ...

, Orerokpe and Sapele. Some Urhobo major cities and towns include Okparabe, Arhavwarien,

, Sapele,

, Uduophori and Odorubu The following are local government areas where Urhobo traditional homes are located in Delta,

and

Edo State Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controvers ...

: *

Ethiope East The Local Government Area of Ethiope East is located in the center of Delta State, Nigeria . Although it is not directly adjacent to Asagba, Asamagidi, Orerokpe, Ovwori, Orhokpokpor, Eruemukohwarien, Ekrokpe, Ughelli, or Agbasa, these places ar ...

Ethiope West Ethiope West is a Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Oghara Town. It has an area of 536 km and a population of 203,592 at the 2006 census. The postal code A postal code (also known local ...

* Okpe * Sapele * Udu * Ughelli North * Isoko *

Ughelli South Ughelli South is a Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It is made up of six Urhobo kingdoms namely: Ughievwen, Arhavwarien, Effurun Otor, Eghwu, Okparabe and Olomu. Otu Jeremi Otu-Jeremi is a town in Ughelli South LGA of Delta St ...

Uvwie Uvwie (/hu-we-ɛ/), is a principal Urban Local Government Area in Delta State. It lies along the Warri River and it is one of the twenty-four Urhobo Kingdoms. The entirety of the LGA is conurbated with the city of Warri, making it a greater p ...

Warri South Warri South is a Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the city of Warri. It has an important sea port in the country and is the commercial nerve centre of the state, With Dr. Tidi Michael as the current loca ...

Patani Patani Darussalam ( Bahasa Malayu Arabic : , also sometimes Patani Raya or Patani Besar, "Greater Patani"; th, ปาตานี) is a historical region in the Malay peninsula. It includes the southern Thai provinces of Pattani, Yala (Jal ...

(in

) * Ikpoba Okha (in

) *

Orhionmwon Orhionmwon is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarter is in the town of Abudu. It has an area of 2,382 km² and a population of 206,717 at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 301. Orhionmwon local governmen ...

(in

Edo state Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controvers ...

)) Urhobos also have large settlements in Ore, Owo and

Okitipupa Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Nigeria and part of the Ikale-speaking nation in Ondo State. Okitipupa Local Government headquarters is located in Okitipupa township with a university, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OS ...

Ondo State Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, Delta Stat ...

Ajegunle Ajegunle, popularly known as "AJ City" or simply "AJ", is a neighbourhood located in the heart of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area of Lagos. Ajegunle in the Yoruba language means "A place ...

and other places in

Lagos State Lagos State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 states, it is both the most populous and smallest in area. Bounded to the south by the Bight of Benin and to the west by the international border with Benin ...

, Oro in

Kwara State Kwara State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà), is a state in Western Nigeria, bordered to the east by Kogi State, to the north by Niger state, and to the south by Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states, while its western border makes up part of the interna ...

, as well as other clusters across

Culture

Festivals

The Urhobos live very close to, and sometimes in

boat A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size, shape, cargo or passenger capacity, or its ability to carry boats. Small boats are typically found on i ...

s on the

Niger river The Niger River ( ; ) is the main river of West Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in south-eastern Guinea near the Sierra Leone border. It runs in a crescent shape through Mal ...

. Most of their histories, mythologies, and philosophies are water-related. Annual fishing festivals that include masquerades, fishing, swimming contests and dancing etc., that became part of the Urhobo heritage. An annual, two-day, festival, called Ohworu takes place in Evwreni, the southern part of the Urhobo area. During this festival the Ohworhu water spirit and the Eravwe Oganga are displayed. Victory dance of Urhobo people

Marriage

Marriage in Urhobo culture requires prayers to the ancestors (''Erivwin''), and God (''Oghene''). The marriage

ritual A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community. Rituals are characterized ...

, known as ''Udi Arhovwaje,'' takes place in the

ancestral An ancestor, also known as a forefather, fore-elder or a forebear, is a parent or ( recursively) the parent of an antecedent (i.e., a grandparent, great-grandparent, great-great-grandparent and so forth). ''Ancestor'' is "any person from wh ...

home of the bride or a patrilineal relation of the bride. The groom goes with his relatives and friends to the bride's father's home, bringing gifts of drinks, salt, kola nuts and occasionally

food Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is in ...

requested by the bride's family. Formal approval for marriage is given by the bride's parents, or whoever is representing the bride's family, as are the traditional rites of pouring gin, brought by the groom, as a

tribute A tribute (; from Latin ''tributum'', "contribution") is wealth, often in kind, that a party gives to another as a sign of submission, allegiance or respect. Various ancient states exacted tribute from the rulers of land which the state conq ...

to the father's ancestors in order to bless them with health, children and wealth. After this marriage rite the husband can claim a refund of the money (bride price) should the marriage fail. It is believed that the ancestors witness the marriage, and only the physical body that is sent to the husband in the marriage, the ''Erhi'' (spirit double), remains in the family home. This explains why a woman is brought back to be buried in her family home when she dies. In the ancestral home of the man, the wife is welcomed into the family by the eldest member. She is expected to confess all of her love affairs during and after her betrothal to her husband, if any, and is then absolved of them. She becomes a full member of her husband's family after this ritual, and is assumed to be protected by the

supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...

(''Erivwin''). This ritual symbolizes an agreement between the wife and the ''Erivwin''. If the wife later becomes unfaithful, it is believed that she will be punished by the ''Erivwin'' – this could be the reason Urhobo women have an enduring reputation as loyal and faithful wives.

Urhobo

Urhobo has always been an homogeneous linguistic entity. Since time immemorial, Urhobo has been colored by variation that occur on various levels. These variations manifest in the various Urhobo kingdoms. A specific dialect of Urhobo has broken off and become an individual ethnic nationality (Isoko). Another dialect is prospecting at this option (Okpe). The main reason for this break-off is mainly because of crude oil revenue. James W. Welch once asserted that Isoko is a dialect of Urhobo. For many years, most historians, linguists and cultural anthropologists are of the opinion that Isoko is just a dialect and a cultural unit of Urhobo. In fact, this was upheld by the British that these two ethnic groups were once referred to as the "Sobo" people. Later on, the Isokos were called the Eastern Urhobos. Till now, some people are of the belief that these two ethnic units are one due to similarities in culture, language, food and virtually everything. The Isoko and Urhobo names for most items are mostly the same. They greet the same way ( Urhobos say Migwor and Isokos say Digwor ), marriages are in the same tradition, traditional religion and philosophy is akin and even dressing is the same. The Urhobo nation is made up of twenty-four sub-groups, including the largest, Okpe.

Urhobo calendar

The Urhobo ''Okpo'' (week) is made up of four days, based on regulated market cycles, religious worship, marriages and other community life. The four days are ''Edewo'', ''Ediruo'', ''Eduhre'' and ''Edebi''. Edewo and Eduhre are sacred days to divinities, spirits and ancestors. Most markets are held on these days. On ''Edewo'', ancestors are venerated. Most traditional religious rituals are held on ''Eduhre''. Spirits are believed to be active in the farmlands and forests on ''Edewo'' and ''Eduhre''. Therefore, farmers rarely work on these days so as not to disturb the spirits. Urhobo months are called ''Emeravwe'' and are made up of 28 days. Most of the annual festivals are held during the months of ''Asa'', ''Eghwre'', ''Orianre'' and ''Urhiori''. These are the months of harvest, when farming activity is at its lowest, so most farmers are free to partake. These are also months to honor the gods of the land, as well as spiritual forces that brought a good harvest.

Food

The very popular Banga Soup also known as Amiedi originated from the Urhobo tribe. It is a soup made from palm kernel. This prestigious soup can be eaten with Starch (''Usi), made from the

cassava ''Manihot esculenta'', commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names), is a woody shrub of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to South America. Although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively cultivated ...

plant.'' It is heated and stirred into a thick mound with added

palm oil Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms. The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Palm oil accounted for about 33% of global oils produced fr ...

to give the starch its unique orange-yellow colour. Banga soup and starch have gone on to become a continental favourite. Other notable delicacies from the Urhobo tribe are '' Ukhodo'' (a yam and unripe

plantain Plantain may refer to: Plants and fruits * Cooking banana, banana cultivars in the genus ''Musa'' whose fruits are generally used in cooking ** True plantains, a group of cultivars of the genus ''Musa'' * ''Plantaginaceae'', a family of flowerin ...

dish prepared with either

beef Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantit ...

, poultry, or fish, and spiced with lemon grass and

potash Potash () includes various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water- soluble form.

), '' Oghwevwri'' ( Oghwo soup), and starch (''Usi'') also have their origins from the Urhobo tribe. ''Oghwevwri ( Oghwo Soup)'' is composed of smoked or dried fish, bush meat, unique spices, potash and oil palm juice. Other culinary delicacies include ''Iriboto'', ''Iriboerhanrhe'',''Ugbagba'' and ''Okpariku''.

Religion

The main focus of Urhobo traditional religion is the adoration of "Ọghẹnẹ" (Almighty God), the supreme deity, and recognition of Edjo and Erhan (divinities). Some of these divinities could be regarded as personified attributes of Ọghẹnẹ. The Urhobo also worship God with ''Orhen'' (white chalk). If an Urhobo feels oppressed by someone, he appeals to Ọghẹnẹ, who he believes to be an impartial judge, to adjudicate between him and his opponent. Oghene is the fundamental factor and manifestation of all divinities. Urhobo divinities can be classified into four main categories, which probably coincide with historical development. These categories are Guardian divinities, War divinities, Prosperity divinities and Fertility and Ethical divinities. ''Erivwin'', which is the cult of ancestors and predecessors (''Esemo'' and ''Iniemo''), is another important element. The dead are believed to be living, and looked upon as active members who watch over the affairs of their family. Urhobos believe in the duality of man, i.e., that man consists of two beings: physical body (''Ugboma'') and spiritual body (''Erhi''). It is the ''Erhi'' that declares man's destiny and controls the self-realization of man's destiny before he incarnates into the world. ''Erhi'' also controls the overall well-being (''Ufuoma'') of the man. Ọghẹnẹ is like a monarch who sets his seal on the path of destiny. In the spirit world, ''Erivwin'', man's destiny is ratified and sealed. In the final journey of the ''Erhi'', after transition, the Urhobo believe the physical body, ''Ugboma'', decays while the ''Ehri'' is indestructible and joins the ancestors in ''Erivwin''. The elaborate and symbolic burial rites are meant to prepare the departed ''Erhi'' for happy re-union with the ancestors. Despite this age-old and complex belief system, the influence of western civilization and

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global popula ...

is fast becoming an acceptable religion in most Urhobo communities. Many belong to

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

and new

evangelical Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that affirms the centrality of being " born again", in which an individual expe ...

denominations. ''Epha'' divination, similar to the

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

Ifá Ifá is a Yoruba religion and system of divination. Its literary corpus is the ''Odu Ifá''. Orunmila is identified as the Grand Priest, as he revealed divinity and prophecy to the world. Babalawos or Iyanifas use either the divining chain k ...

'' and practiced by many

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali ...

n ethnic groups, is practiced with strings of cowries. There are 1,261 ''ejo'' (deities), including the one-handed, one-legged mirror-holding whirlwind-god Aziza.

Notable people

Demas Akpore Demas Akpore (August 4, 1928 – December 28, 1993) was the first elected Deputy Governor of Bendel State (1979–1983), the Principal of Government College, Ughelli, and the founder and principal of Orogun Grammar School. Chief Demas Onolioba ...

, Deputy Governor, educationist, and politician. * Raymond Ekevwo Nigerian Sprinter * Praise Idamamadudu Spriter * Ufuoma McDermott, Nigerian actress and model * Ufuoma Onobrakpeya Nigerian artist * Efetobor Wesley Apochi, Professional boxer * Alibaba Akporobome, comedian *

Fred Aghogho Brume Fred Aghogho Brume (Fred A. Brume, Fred Brume) (25 September 1942 – 12 September 2011) was a Nigerian politician. He was elected Senator for the Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Re ...

, senator and industrialist * Richard Mofe Damijo, actor and politician * Oghenekaro Itene Actress * Peter Etebo Nigerian football player *

Harris Eghagha Harris Otadafevwerha Deodemise Eghagha (8 March 1934 – 19 March 2009) was appointed Military Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria from July 1978 to October 1979 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, handing over power to the electe ...

, career soldier and diplomat * M. G. Ejaife, Urhobo nationalist, first republic Senator and the first principal of Urhobo College *

David Ejoor David Akpode Ejoor RCDS, PSC, (10 January 1932 – 10 February 2019) was a Nigerian Army officer who served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Early life He was the first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy The Nigerian Defence ...

, retired Nigerian army and governor of the now-defunct Mid-Western Region *

Justus Esiri Justus Esiri (20 November 1942 – 19 February 2013) was a veteran award-winning Nigerian actor, generally considered to be one of the pillars of Nollywood with an acting career that goes way back to the 1960s. He came into prominence for his r ...

, actor *

Kefee Kefee Obareki Don Momoh (February 5, 1980 – June 12, 2014), also referred to by her music name Kefee, was a Nigerian female gospel singer and composer. Early life She was born in Sapele, Delta on February 5, 1980 to the family of Andrew Obare ...

, gospel singer and composer *

Felix Ibru Felix Ovudoroye Ibru (7 December 1935 – 12 March 2016) was a Nigerian architect the first democratically elected Governor of Delta State and Senator for Delta Central Senatorial District. Until his death he held the position of President Gene ...

, Nigerian architect, senator and governor *

Michael Ibru Michael Onajirevbe Ibru (25 December 1930 – 6 September 2016) was a Nigerian pioneer industrialistbillionaire business magnate and the founder of the Ibru Organization, one of the largest conglomerates in Africa. As a traditional chieftain of ...

, Nigerian businessman *

Mudiaga Odje Mudiaga Odje (25 September 1923 – 9 December 2005) was a Nigerian attorney. He was born in Evwreni. He helped shape both the constitutional and legal systems of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was the lead counsel in the first successful ...

, Senior Advocate and Officer of

Tanure Ojaide Tanure Ojaide (born 1948) is a Nigerian poet and academic. As a writer, he is noted for his unique stylistic vision and for his intense criticism of imperialism, religion, and other issues. He is regarded as a socio-political and an ecocentric po ...

, poet and writer *

Blessing Okagbare Blessing Oghnewresem Okagbare-Otegheri (born 9 October 1988) is a former Nigerian track and field athlete who specialized in Long jump and sprints. She is an Olympic and World Championships medalist in the long jump, and a world medalist in th ...

, IAAC silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist * Ese Oruru * Isidore Okpewho, scholar and novelist *

Ben Okri Ben Okri (born 15 March 1959) is a Nigerian-British poet and novelist.Ben Okri"
British Council, ...

, poet and novelist *

Bruce Onobrakpeya Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya (born 30 August 1932) is a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and the Malm� ...

, visual artist, sculptor and painter *

Gamaliel Onosode Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode (22 May 1933 – 29 September 2015) was a foremost Nigerian technocrat, administrator and a former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party of Nigeria. Educated at the Government College, Ughelli and t ...

, administrator and politician * Stephen Oru, Minister of

Igho Sanomi Igho Charles Sanomi (born 17 May 1975) is a Nigerian billionaire businessman, geologist, public speaker and philanthropist with business interests in oil, power, logistics, telecommunications, the maritime industry, aviation Eand real estate. Ba ...

, businessman * Onigu Otite, Professor of Sociology (retired) *

James Ibori James Onanefe Ibori (born 4 August 1959) is a Nigerian politician who was Governor of Delta State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. An ethnic Urhobo by descent, Ibori is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is a lea ...

, Former Governor of Delta state (1999-2007) *

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo Ewhrudjakpo Lawrence Oborawharievwo (born 5 September 1965) is a Nigerian politician who serves as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. He was the senator representing Bayelsa west senatorial district of Bayelsa State Bayelsa is one of the st ...

, Deputy Governor Of Bayelsea State *

Adego Erhiawarie Eferakeya Adego Erhiawarie Eferakeya (9 July 1940 – 16 April 2019) was a Nigerian politician who was elected senator for the Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State, Nigeria in April 2007. He ran on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platfo ...

Nigerian Politician *

Akpor Pius Ewherido Akpor Pius Ewherido (4 May 1963 – 30 June 2013) was a Nigerian politician. He was elected Senator for Delta Central Senatorial District in the April 2011 national elections, running on the Democratic People's Party (DPP) platform. Backgrou ...

Nigerian Politician * Ovie Omo-Agege Deputy Senate President of the

Federal republic of Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of ...

Paul Omu Paul Ufuoma Omu (born July 1940) was Military Governor of South-Eastern State, Nigeria (renamed Cross River State in February 1976) between July 1975 and July 1978 during the military regimes of Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. M ...

, Former

Military governor A military government is generally any form of government that is administered by military forces, whether or not this government is legal under the laws of the jurisdiction at issue, and whether this government is formed by natives or by an occup ...

South-Eastern State, Nigeria ) , image_map = Nigeria - Cross River.svg , map_alt = , map_caption = Location of Cross River State in Nigeria , coordinates = , coor_pinpoint ...

(now

Cross River State ) , image_map = Nigeria - Cross River.svg , map_alt = , map_caption = Location of Cross River State in Nigeria , coordinates = , coor_pinpoint ...

) *

Alex Ibru Alex Ibru (1 March 1945 – 20 November 2011) was a Nigerian businessman, founder and publisher of ''The Guardian'' (Nigeria) newspaper, who was minister of internal affairs from 1993 to 1995 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha. Ba ...

Nigerian Business man *

Dr Sid Sidney Onoriode Esiri (born 1 May 1980), commonly known as Dr SID, is a Nigerian singer. Early life Dr SID is from Delta State, he was born and raised in Lagos. His mother is a fashion designer and his father, Justus Esiri, is an actor.

Musician *

Efe Ajagba Efe Ajagba (born 22 April 1994) is a Nigerian professional boxer who holds the record for the fastest victory in boxing history after his opponent was disqualified for leaving the ring one second after the opening bell. As an amateur, he won a ...

, Professional Boxer *

Efe Ambrose Efetobore Eric “Efe” Ambrose Emuobo (born 18 October 1988) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Greenock Morton. Ambrose has previously played for Kaduna United, Bayelsa United, Israeli club Ashdod, Scottish c ...

Football player *

Efe Sodje Efetobore Peter "Efe" Sodje (born 5 October 1972) is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for several English football league clubs. He represented Nigeria in the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup. Sodje ...

Football Player * Okieriete Onaodowan American actor * Fejiro Okiomah American football player * Ovie Ejaria English football player * Ovie Soko British basketball player * Fred Onovwerosuoke American composer * Prince Tega Wanogho American football player *

Francis Awaritefe Francis Edgar Awaritefe (born 18 April 1964 in London, England) is an Australian former football (soccer) player, and was Director of Football at Melbourne Victory. Biography On 21 June 2011, Awaritefe was signed by Melbourne Victory as their n ...

Australian soccer player *

Eku Edewor Georgina Chloe Eku Edewor-Thorley, otherwise known as Eku Edewor (born 18 December 1986), is a British Nigerian actress, television presenter, and model. She is best known for her work as host of the entertainment television program ''53 Extra' ...

British actress *

Maro Itoje Oghenemaro Miles "Maro" Itoje (born 28 October 1994) is an English professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock or as a blindside flanker for Gallagher Premiership club Saracens and the England national team. He signed his first pro ...

English rugby union player *

AJ Odudu Onatejiro "AJ" Odudu (born 12 February 1988) is a British television presenter from Blackburn, UK. She is best known for co-presenting the 2013 Channel 5 reality show spin-off ''Big Brother's Bit on the Side'', alongside Emma Willis and Rylan ...

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

television presenter *

Kate Osamor Ofunne Kate Osamor (; born 15 August 1968) is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Edmonton since 2015. A member of the Labour and Co-operative parties, she was Shadow Secretary of State for International Developm ...

British Politician * I Go Dye Nigerian Comedian * Igosave, comedian *

Erigga Erhiga Agarivbie (born 30 March 1987), better known by his stage name Erigga, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. Biography Erhiga Agarivbie was born in Warri, Delta State, where he grew up with his family. He is the first of five children. H ...

, Musician * Arukaino Umukoro Nigerian journalist *

Ivie Okujaye Ivie Okujaye Egboh (born 16 May 1987) is a Nigerian actress, film producer, scriptwriter, dancer, singer and activist. In 2009, she participated and won the ''Amstel Malta Box Office'' (AMBO) reality TV show. She is sometimes called ''little G ...

, Nigerian actor, Producer & Musician * Prince Obus Aggreh

football forward *

Godswill Ekpolo Elohor Godswill Epokoli (born 14 May 1995) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Cypriot First Division club Apollon Limassol. Mainly a right back, he can also play as a central defender. Playing career Ekpolo moved with his fami ...

Footballer *

Temi Ejoor The Sonjo (native name Batemi) (''Wasonjo'' in Swahili) are a Bantu ethnic group inhabiting some west of Lake Natron in Ngorongoro District of Arusha Region, Tanzania. Overview In 2002, the Sonjo population was estimated to number around 30,000 ...

military administrator of

Enugu State Enugu State ( ig, Ȯra Enugu) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by the states of Benue and Kogi, Ebonyi State to the east and southeast, Abia State to the south, and Anambra State to the west. ...

* Peggy Ovire Actress *

Yung6ix Onome Onokohwomo (born 8 July 1989), better known by his stage name Yung6ix, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist. Biography History Onokohwomo was born and raised in Warri, Delta State. He grew up as the oldest child in a family of five, ...

Nigerian rapper * Okiemute * Luke Erede Ejohwomu *

Chamberlain Orovwuje Chamberlain Oyibocha Orovwuje (July 31, 1935 – June 2012), Ogurimerime I, was the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom from 1958 till 2012. He was also the former chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers. He ruled the traditional kingdom of Agbon ...

Rosaline Bozimo Rosaline Patricia Irorefe Bozimo (born 1 January 1946) is a Nigerian lawyer who was appointed Chief Justice of Delta State with effect from 23 March 2003. She retired on 1 January 2011 and was succeeded by Honorable Justice Abiodun Smith. During ...

Nigerian Lawyer * Ms Banks UK Rap artist * Dio Preye * Stephen Gopey * Bernard Bulbwa *

Sidney Sam Sidney Sam (; born 31 January 1988) is a German former professional footballer who played as a forward or winger. He was known for his explosive speed and dribbling style. Club career Early career Sam started playing football at TuS Mettenhof. ...

References

{{authority control Ethnic groups in Nigeria Indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta