Agbon Kingdom

The Agbon Kingdom (also Agbon ẹkwuotọ )^[1] is one of twenty-four subunits of the Urhobo people that have been in existence since before the rise of the Benin Empire in the 1440s and before the arrival of the Portuguese in the Western Niger Delta in the 1480s.^[1]

It is located in Ethiope East Local Government Area In Delta State, Nigeria. Which occupies a large space of about 375 square kilometres. This kingdom is surrounded by other Urhobo communities in the locality.

The traditional seat of government in this kingdom is located at Isiokolo.

History

Oral tradition speaks of migrations from the ancient Benin Kingdom by the Urhobos that gave rise to this area.^[1]

The founders of Agbon migrated through Kwale, probably from Erhowa, settled at Ehwen and Erhivwi or Irri in present Isoko division of Delta State. From there they moved down to Utokori, close to Ughwerun; then to Olomu and through the present Ughelli territory of Ekuigbo to found Otorho r' Agbon now known as Isiokolo.

Isiokolo is now the recognised ancestral place of leadership by the members of this kingdom.

Location

Agbon Kingdom covers about 375 square kilometres. The land is bounded in the north by Abraka kingdom, and Orhionmwon Local Government Area in neighbouring Edo State, On the east, it is bounded by Orogun, Agbahra Otor, Agbarho Kingdoms, Ujode River, and Ekrerhavwe, all of them Urhobo communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area. In Agbon's west and south lies Aghalokpe and Orerokpe of Okpe Local Government Area. ^[2]

Leadership

His Royal Majesty, Ogurime-Rime Ukori I is the current King and Ovie of Agbon Kingdom. He was crowned Ovie in february 2013 succeeding the late Ogurime-Rime Okpara I ^[3]

Natural resources

This kingdom produces a variety of food crops, mostly yam, plantain and cassava. Cash crops as palm produce and rubber plantations also flourish here. Agbon holds a large reservoir of crude oil which is a major source of income to Nigeria; the Erhorike oil wells are considered to be among the shallowest in the world and are found here.

Population

The kingdom is highly populated as it has an extensive range of towns and villages under its territorial domain. It has been ranked the second most populous cultural unit in Urhobo land, coming only after Okpe. The population of this kingdom alone amounts for more than 40% of the Delta state population.

Language

The people of Agbon speak Urhobo as their mother tongue with little or no dialectical forms. The Nigerian pidgin is also widespread in this kingdom as well as English, the lingua franca of Nigeria.

Composition

This kingdom is made up of a wide array of sub-kingdoms and villages or towns. These sub-kingdoms are the consequences of migrations from one terrain to another.

Sub-kingdoms

Okpara (first son)
Kokori (second son)
Eku (third son)
Orhoakpor (fourth son)
Igun
Ovu (descendant of Okpara)

Towns and villages

Isiokolo
Ekrebuo
Kokori
Erhomeghwu
Okuidjerhe
Samagidi
Egbogho
Urhwokpe
Ekraka
Erhonaka
Erhorike
Okpara Inland
Okurutuyo
Okuekpagha
Unumane
Okoradaode
Okurufor
Okururhujevwe
Umiaghwa
Okurihohi
Okuibada
Erhokori
Orhuakpor
Ekrudu
Okukpokpo
Okureghwro
Eku
Igun
Otumara
Okpara W/S
Okorogba
Okurekpo
Okuredafe
Oviorie
Ovu Inland
Okuemeka
Okurekpagha
Okuogbamu
Ovwere
Urhodo
Okumodje
Obadjere
Ekpan
Igwevwore
Okwokpokpo
Ekusioro
Okurobi
Okuronika
Okuighele
Ekirugbo.
okuomoise

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Peter P. Ekeh (April 26, 2008). "On the Matter of Clans and Kingdoms in Urhobo History and Culture". Urhobo Historical Society. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ http://www.waado.org/CulturalUnits/Agbon/Agbon_Profile/ImoOtite.html
^ https://thepointernewsonline.com/?p=24990

References

"Agbon Home Page". Urhobo Historical Society. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
Agbon Kingdom at Asemeyese.com