Uromi

Uromi is an acreage city located in north-eastern part of Esan; an ethnic group in Edo state, Nigeria. At various points in Uromi's history, the city has being part of the Benin Empire.

History

The correct name is URONMUN. Uronmun is the largest and most populated Land in Esanland. Uronmun was formed by two waves of settlers from BINI between 900 and 1400AD; during the reign of the OGISOS, and 1460, during the reign of Oba Ewuare. These early Bini settlers were either fugitives fleeing persecution and the harsh rule of the OGISO or were criminals hiding in the dense jungle escaping justice.

The founder of the first settlement in URONMUN was EGBELE, the second son of OAKHA, one of Oba EGBEKA’S wivies.(1370-1400), Oakha’s other two sons- ASOKPODUDU and the third brother settled in UZOZOGAINGHAIN of Idinegbon-UZEA.

The second wave of organized mass emigration from BINI, was around 1460, during the reign of Oba Ewuare] the selfish. His attempt to stop the emigration of BINIS to the present day ESANLAND was the Moat he built around the city. Most of these immigrants during this wave were from IDUMOZA of BINI City.

Uronmun, is divided into three groups recognized as: OKHIODE, OBIRUAN and OBIYUAN.

OKHIODE

Consist of:
* Eguare
* Egbele
* Onewa
* Utako
* Unuwazi
* Arue.

OBIRUAN

Consist of:
* Ebhoyoman
* Efadion
* Ekhue
* Ubierumun
* Eror
* Obeidu
* Uwalor
* Idomoza
* Ivue

OBIYUAN

Consist of:
* Ukoni
* Amedeokhian
* Awo.

The leader of the second wave OGHU and his followers settled in IVUE.

In 1463, Oba Ewuare decided to relinquish the futile attempt to force the fleeing BINIS that settled in Esan. He decided to confer on the various community leaders the title of ENIJIE. Oghu could not attend. He despatched his junior brother, ICHESAN to attend. At the Oba decree, all attendees were made OJIE and the title is non transferable.

Upon return to Uronmun, to avoid embarrassing his older brother, ICHESAN moved from Ivue to present day Eguare.

ICHESAN was succeeded by AGBA to IKENOA to EHENOA to IKHIVABHOJERE to OKUOYE to AKHIZE to IKHIMIGBALE to UWAGBO to EDIALE to AKHILOMEN to OKOLO to OKOJIE (OGBIDI) to UWAGBALE to EIDENOJIE OKOJIE II to OMELIMEN EIDENOJIE I to ANSLEM EIDENOJIE II. [ [http://www.uromicommunity-ny.com/aboutus.html About Us ] ]

Economy

A vast percentage of the total economy of Uromi is locally from farming and trading whilst the government's budget contributing to the individual resources. It's high and good farm output is greatly encouraged by the vegetation zone which is a rain forest zone, soil type (loamy)and its topography. It also have a good numbers of markets that provides the opportunities to the local farmers to commerce their farm products.

In Uromi, there are markets, one, two or three situated in all the villages and having a general market (Uromi main market) with good, portable, and suitable lock-up stores. Market in some villages in Uromi transacts in four (4) days intervals while in some other villages, on daily basis. Uromi main market operates daily from morning to late evening thou it's actual market day is four (4) interval.

Apart from farming and trading, other business transaction are in operation day-in and day-out. In Eguare, there are lots of business offices both government owned business sector and well as private owned business sectors. A good example is the bank. A branch of Union Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria, Unity Bank, Uromi community Bank, and other monetary films like the Esan Micro Finance Bank, Uromi Micro Finance Bank, etc.

Geography

The city of Uromi lies north-eastern Esan in Edo State, Nigeria, located on longitude 3° 24' E and latitude 6° 27' N. Almost the whole of the city is covered with land.

Climate

The climate in Uromi is similar to that of the rest cities of south-southern Nigeria. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November. There is a brief relatively dry spell in August and September and a longer dry season from December to March. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages over 300 mm (12 in), while in August and September it is down to 75 mm (3 inches) and in January as low as 35 mm (1.5 inches). The main dry season is accompanied by harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert, which between December and early February can be quite strong. The average temperature in January is 27°C (79°F) and for July it is 25°C (77°F). On average the hottest month is March; with a mean temperature of 29°C (84°F); while July is the coolest month.

Politics and Government

In terms of administration, Uromi is not a municipality and has therefore no overall city administration or governance but istead, it is runned by the Local government council headed by a Chairman.

Uromi is not a local government but is the seat of the local government council governing Esan-North-East local government area. The administration of the government of Uromi is divided into wards. Each ward delegates a Councellor who represents it at it's local council election which is normally tenured for four years.

Kingdom and traditional leadership

The Uromi kingdom is a monarchical territory headed by a king [Enijie] who handle the leadership of the kingdom. The leadership in Uromi kingdom is a heriditary rule monarchy ststem. The king is the monarch who rules with the body of Chiefs who assist the king in the leadership of the kingdom.

The kingdom was installed in 1463 by the Bini Monarch Oba Ewuare conferring kingship on Ichesan (first Onojie of Uromi). Since 1463, the kingship have been transmitted by inheritance.

List of Kings of Uromi kingdom

[
Ogbidi Okojie]

* Ichesan
* Agba
* Ikenoa
* Ehenoa
* Ikhivabhojere
* Okuoye
* Ikhize
* Ikhimigbale
* Uwagbo
* Ediale
* Akhilomen
* Okolo
* Ogbidi Okojie
* Uwagbale
* Eidenojie Okojie II
* Omelimen Eidenojie I
* Anslem Eidenojie II

Despite the leadership, the different villages of Uromi are led by the Elders of the individual villages who are still responsible to the king. The council of Elders are headed by an indigenous elderly man who by birth is eldest among all the male indigenes. The council of elders have their own legislative authority and so, are able to melt out punishment on offenders within their desigation.

Continious reading

* Esan-North-East
* Esan
* Edo State

References

* History of Uromi. c/o Uromi Community Association New York http://www.uromicommunity-ny.com/aboutus.html

References