Ughelli Kingdom Oldest In Delta State (History)

By ovibel media

HRM.EVANG.WILSON O. OJAKOVO (JP) OHARISI 111,THE OVIE OF UGHELLI KINGDOM.

Ughelli Kingdom is one of the 24 kingdoms in Urhobo nation and also one of the oldest kingdom in Delta State tracing back to the 14th and 15th century.

Ughelli Kingdom is located on lat.5°22’N and Long.6°18’32 E.It is a Kingdom in southern Nigeria, located about 30 miles East of the city of Wado.Ughelli Kingdom has an estimated population of 321,028 at the last National Census of 2006.

History has it that Ughelli (Ughene) is the second son of Oghwoghwa, a Prince from Benin Kingdom.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,with his family including Ughelli,Orogun,Agbarha,and Ogor. Ughene later left Oviri Ogor and founded Ovwodoawanre (Old Settlement), before the present settlement headquarter at Otovwodo (Traditional Headquarter),the Children later went their separate ways to formed their distinct kingdoms after disagreement.

It also serves as the Headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State. The kingdom is indigenous to the Urhobo ethnic nationals, but there is a mixture of several other tribes from the country, such as the Igbos and Edos.

Ughelli Kingdom is a central location in Delta State and the Kingdom of Ughelli is ruled by a traditional ruler know as OVIE (King) and the first to settle and ruled since moving from Ogoviri was HRH Awhaide.The throne is hereditary, where is passed from father to son.

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

The 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 view adultery as abomination, in fact a taboo.

The major occupation of Ughelli People is Farming and are mainly into cassava,plantains, sugarcane, palm oil and kernels productions and they forbid eating of “Orua” Antelope.

Ughelli Kingdom has several schools owned by a government and private individuals, a general hospital, local government secretariat, good motorable roads.The kingdom is a notable link between Delta North,Delta South and spread to Ughelli Urhie,in Sagbama,Bayelsa State.

The community is rich in crude oil and gas which is evident in the presence of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).Ughelli Kingdom has abundant deposits of petroleum with about 45 oil wells, discovered before 1965.Petroleum and natural gas deposits were discovered in the vicinity, and since 1965 crude oil from the Ughelli fields has been shipped via the 140-mile (225-kilometre) Trans-Niger Pipeline southeastward to the port of Bonny for export.

Ughelli Kingdom is made up of 23 Communities and villages which includes Otovwodo headquarters of the kingdom and Ughelli North LGA,Uduere,Ughelli,Ujode,Oteri,Ohwaro,Ogbovwan,Ufuoma,Odovie,Ododegho,Iwhreneneiwhreorie,Iwhremaro,Iwhremaragha,Eruemukobwarien,Ekrejebor,Ekiugbo,Afiesere,Iwhrekpokpo and others.

HRM.Wilson Ojakovo Oghoghovwe Oharisi III is the current king of Ughelli Kingdom and was Crowned the ‘Ovie of Ughelli’ in 1992.

List Of Kings Of Ughelli Kingdom From The 14th Century To Present.

1.Ughene 1440-1460

2.Inere 1461-1524

3.Evweresoso 1525-1567

4.Agwaide 1568-1594

5.Arhavwode 1595-1647

6.Adague 1648-1706

7.Useh 1707-1757

8.Akporoba 1758-1806

9.Esejuvevwo 1807-1855

10.Oghoghovwe I 1856-1884

11.Idjesa 1885-1916

12.Oharisi I 1917-1943

13.Oharisi II 1944-1980

14.Oghoghovwe II 1981-1991

15.HRM. Wilson Ojakovo Oghoghovwe Oharisi III 1992 till present

NOTABLE PEOPLE.

1.Efe Abogidi.

2.Efe Ajagba

3.Gamaliel Onosode

4.Ben Okri e t c

Urhobo Wadoo!!!

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