HISTORY OF UGHELLI IN DELTA STATE

𝙃𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝙊𝙁 𝙐𝙂𝙃𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙄

....Ughelli is one of the oil producing areas in Delta State.

Ughelli oral tradition has it that their great ancestor and founding father of Ughelli (Ughene) is the second son of Oghwoghwa, a Prince from Benin Kingdom. As history has gone, Oghwoghwa in search of his own kingdom first settlement was at Tarakiri and later left for Ogoviri now the current site of Ogo Techinal College.

Though Urhobo is a group that belongs the people whose written history is largely undocumented. There is almost an absence of European record in their history, the history of  Urhobo people generally began from Edo territory where the ancient town of Udo and Benin City are currently located. At the end of the Ogiso dynasty, many Urhobo and Edo-groups left Udo in different directions, each at its own pace, in search of more peaceful territories. It was natural that in those compelling circumstances, peace loving and less powerful Edo-groups had to leave the territory to seek fortunes in less populated but more economically resourceful territories. Historically, Urhobo people's origin is rooted in their oral tradition.They believe in migration from Aka (present day Edo territory). Although all 22 kingdoms have distinct dialects and traditions that reflect slight variation in origin and migratory patterns, there is a universal Urhobo language.

Ughelli is one of the oil producing areas of the state in Delta Sate with at least 45 oil wells. It has an estimates population of 300,000 spread across seven major clans namely; Ughelli, Orogun, Agbarha, Agbarho, Uwheru, Evwreni and Ogor each with a traditional ruler.

Due to inter-family crisis, Ughelli left Ogoviri and founded Ovwodoawanre (Old Settlement) before the present settlement headquarter at Otovwodo. Ughelli is been headed by a tradional ruler known as King (Ovie) and the first to settle and ruled since moving from Ogovirir was HRH Awhaide. 

However, Ughelli is one of the largest communities in Urhobo land, both in terms of size and population. The town has several schools owned by a government and private individuals, a general hospital, local government secretariat, good motorable roads. The community is a notable link between Delta North and Delta South. The community is rich is crude oil and gas which is evident in the presence of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Ughelli kingdom is said to have seven major clans namely; Ughelli, Orogun, Agbarha, Agbarho, Uwheru, Evwreni and Ogor each with a traditional ruler. The people are Urhobo. It is also the seat of the Ovie of Ughelli.

𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙐𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞

Ughelli lies within the tropical rain forest area of the Niger-delta. The region experiences high rainfall and high humidity most of the year.

The Ughelli People speak Urhobo language. It is linguistically similar to that spoken by the neighboring Isoko people. They also speak English and “Pidgin English” as a result of globalization and development of the community.

Ughelli people forbid the marriage to a close relative or any form of incest.

They forbid eating of Orua

They view adultery as abomination, in fact a taboo.

Ughelli kingdom is said to have seven major clans namely:

Agbarha

Agbarho

Evwreni

Ogor

Orogun

Ughelli

Uwheru

Source: Gist In Kwale.

Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James.

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