Ogidi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ogidi, in Anambra State, Nigeria, is an Igbo town in the Idemili Local Government area. It is best known for being the birthplace of Chinua Achebe.^{[citation needed]}

Ogidi

Ogidi, in Kogi State, Nigeria, is a Yorùbá town, renowned for its formations of igneous mountains, a traditional art industry, hospitality, and a deep tradition of self reliance.

Ogidi is a three-and-a-half hour drive from Abuja, Nigeria's capital. The people of the town endured raids from and eventually defeated the Nupe imperialists in the late 19th century, thus sealing their access to the western part of the country.[1]. Ogidi is on the southwestern tip of the old Northern Region. It has deep historical ties with the northern and western part of Nigeria. Administratively, it was under the Northern Region with Kaduna as the capital, then Kwara State with Ilorin as the capital, and now Kogi State with Lokoja as the capital. It currently falls under Ijumu Local Government. Ogidi is currently the seat of the rotational Olujumu I — the traditional ruler of the Ijumu people.

1 Language and people
2 Agriculture
3 Religion and tradition
4 External links

[edit] Language and people

The language of the people is the Okun dialect of Yorùbá. The men are traditionally farmers and hunters, and the women are renowned for arts and crafts and for trading. Ogidi is known for producing high calibre human resources for public life, the military, industry and academia. Chief S.A. Ajayi, a lieutenant of Ahmadu Bello and a Federal Minister in the Government of Tafawa Balewa was from Ogidi. It is the home town of Nike Davies-Okundaye, the most renowned batik artist in West Africa; Ladi Haroona, The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) President between 1998 and 2001[2] is from the noble family of Imam Haruna. Sportsman Sunday Bada, a world-renowned sprinter, is from the town, and it is where the famous Nigerian artist and musician Twins Seven Seven spent his early years (his mother was from the town).

[edit] Agriculture

The vegetation is a mix of forest and savannah. Coffee, cocoa, cassavas, cashews, yams, maize, sweet potatos, groundnuts, and kola are some of the popular produce from the town. Livestock, including cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and their products are also available in Ogidi.

[edit] Religion and tradition

Ogidians, traditionally believed in worshipping one God through stone — not surprising, considering the abundance of igneous mountains and caves, and the reliance on them to ward off invaders. Ogidians defeated the Nupe, who were Muslims; however, they later accepted Islam through peaceful means — trade and interaction. Christianity came much later with British colonialism. Imam Haruna is currently the Imam of the town. The town is ruled traditionally by an Oba, which is rotated between two arms (Okelare and Itaji) of the royal family.