Egbe Mekun which is popularly called ‘Egbe’ in brief is an historic town located in Yagba West Local government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria, West Africa.
This town is an ancient town bordering Kogi and Kwara States. It is surrounded by some undulating and luxuriant hills of savannah vegetation which are visible as you move around the town; this explained why it is sometimes referred to as Jerusalem in Nigeria. The dialect spoken by these people is called Yagba, they have ancestry root linked to the Yorubas in Nigeria as they speak Yoruba. Their alphabet are similar to that of Yorubas. The town is known for its hospitality and the fact that it is located on the federal road axis, it serves as a central location to access other communities. It is one of the biggest towns found in Yagba land with long history of commercial activities; People come from far and near for trading purposes.
Egbe town is blessed with good and fertile land for agriculture activities. The crops that are grown in this area include: Yam, Corn, Sorghum, Cocoa, Beans, Cassava, Peanuts (groundnuts) and Cotton. Traditionally, they go into clothes woven which are used during wedding ceremony especially for the brides. The characteristic of quiet and natural environment which is most conducive for learning is found around the town, No wonder in Egbe and indeed the entire region of Yagba in Kogi State, it is hard to cover a 500 metres radius without coming across an educational institution. Again it is not surprising that some of the best brains in Nigeria are products of educational institutions in this impressive region. Cassiterite, columbite, and tantalite are some of the mineral resources found in Egbe.
Family unit is an integral part of this community, as marriage is encouraged within the younger populace by the elderly. The existence of extended family is still being practiced; where the younger ones care for the elderly by leaving together as a family unit. Respect for the elderly is of great importance to the younger ones and is being encouraged. The presence of missionary activities in this town is dated back to the eighteen century when Rev. Tommy Titcombe (a British-born Canadian Missionary) and his wife a missionary with SIM (Sudan Interior Mission)(now Serving In Mission) came to Egbe in 1908 amidst all odds of language barrier and Africa being referred to as the ‘Whiteman’s grave’ due to malarial caused by mosquito bite killing so many Missionaries, they came into the community, becoming the pioneer of Christianity in the area, they preached the gospel of Christ to the people of Egbe and Yagba inclusive and was able to start a hospital known today as ECWA Hospital Egbe, the hospital happened to be one of the biggest, most popular and most successful Christian hospital in the present Kogi State and Nigeria at large. A college of excellence was also established called Titcombe College, named after the missionary and many churches were also planted.