The Igede people are a Nigerian ethnic group in Benue State of Nigeria . They are native to the Oju and Obi local government areas of Nigeria, where 2006 population figures stand at an estimated 267,198 people. However, many Igede people are dispersed across the state and the Nation. For instance, the Igede language is also spoken in Nigeria's Cross River State , and many Igede communities exist in Osun State and Ogun State . The Igede language is a member of the Benue-Congo subgroup of the Niger-Congo language family.
7-504: The Oju Local Government Area was created in 1976 and shares boundaries with present-day Obi, Ado, Konshisha and Gwer East Local Government Areas of Benue State, Ebonyi and Izzi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, and Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State. It is headquartered in Oju Town. The Obi Local Government Area was created in 1996 and has its headquarters at Obarike-Ito. The local government area derives its name from
14-432: Is 243,300. Oju is located on the southern edge of Benue State. The Oju-Alebo Road passes through the north of the area. Its average elevation is 163 meters above the sea level. Oju has a Tropical Savanna Climate (Aw). Over the course of the year, the temperature usually varies from 63 °F to 89 °F and is seldom below 57 °F or above 93 °F. The rainy season of Oju starts in late March and ends in early November. It sees
21-572: Is commonly recounted in song and drama, for instance the record and drama piece "Ego ny'Igede". Archival records portray them as migrants from Ogoja province who have increasingly adopted the culture and practices of the Idoma . Politically, the Igede falls under the Benue South senatorial district. The Igede are predominantly farmers cultivating maize, cassava, groundnut and yams. Igede is home of
28-704: Is dependent on agriculture (food and cash crops) produced in commercial quantity. The people of Oju are also involved in: Livestock keeping, Fishing, and Hunting Religion: Basically, there are two religions in Oju Local Government Area. The predominant Christianity on one hand and the traditional African religion on the other. The people of Oju are about eighty-five per cent (85%) Christians and about fifteen (15%) traditional worshipers. Markets in Oju: Oju currently has five market days, namely: This Benue State , Nigeria location article
35-634: The Obi stream that flows in the area and shares boundary with Ado, Otukpo and Oju local government areas of Benue State . The Igede trace their origin to Sabon Gida Ora in present-day Edo state . They are said to be the descendants of Agba, a high chief in Sabon Gida Ora. A skirmish between the Igede and the natives of Ora led to their migration from that region to present-day Benue state through Nsukka in Enugu state . This historical event in Igede history
42-676: The most precipitation in September, with an average rainfall of 209 mm; and the least precipitation in December, with an average rainfall of 2 mm. Oju is divided into the following 11 council wards: mineral Resources: Oju Local Government Area has proven reserves of solid minerals like: Agricultural produce: The land is very fertile and about 80% of the inhabitants are farmers. Its rich and diverse agricultural endowment include: yam, rice, beniseed, guinea corn, oil palm, soyabeans, cassava, millet, maize, groundnut, and palm oil. The economy
49-499: The popular Igede-Agba festival, a colourful annual celebration that marks the yam harvest season in September. Igede traditional clothes are blue, black, and white stripes. Oju Local Government Area Oju is a local government area in Benue State , Nigeria . It borders Obi and Gwer East in the north, Konshisha and Yala in the east, Izzi and Ebonyi in the south, and Ado in the west. As of 2022, its total population
#787212