English: History of Ivrogbo-Irri

Ivrogbo, which was sometimes spelt by the European explorers as Ivorogbo for ease of pronunciation, is a notable town in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The town is founded by the descendants of Omode, the founder of Irri town. Oral history has it that they went fishing in Ase Creek and had huge catch of the ivro (Atharinus cithetus or moon fish in English) in their adventuring. Hence, they decided to settle there permanently and named the place evru or ivro-ogbo, which literally means "fish of area or settlement."

The town is famous in history because it was one of the European Palm Oil Buying Stations in the colonial era.

Location

Ivrogbo-Irri is located at the coastal shores of Asse or Ase River; a tributary connecting Forcados River. Ivrogbo is bounded by Ada-Irri, Uro-Irri from the same descendant, Okpe-Isoko, then Ekpe and Ibedeni, who are of Ndokwa West LGA.

Economy

Ivrogbo-Irri (Ivorogbo) town was indisputably one of the foremost and privileged towns in Delta State that had dealings with the British and other European traders in palm oil. The town had one of the largest markets in the entire Isokoland because it had a trading port established in 1899 by the United African Company (UAC). There was the Western Region Oil Mill established in 1953 Ivrogbo-Irri, from where the processed palm oil was shipped to Sunflower refinery in Burutu and onward England.

Ivrogbo-Irri was also a host to Johnholt, Royal Niger Company, C.F.A.O. and a law court built and opened in 1900.

Medium-sized steamed paddle ships used to bring various types of imported goods to the UAC deport Ivrogbo. In return, they would ship palm produce back to England.

Up till the early 1990s Ivrogbo market was where all the riverine settlers and farmers were selling, buying and exchanging their farm produce for money and essential commodities.

Currently, the major occupations of the town are sand dredging, farming, fishing, palm nut harvesting, trading, and rubber tapping. Ivrogbo-Irri is also a host to Oil Mining Licence (OML) 26 with proven hydrocarbon potentials yet untapped.

Religion Practice

Ivrogbo-Irri witnessed in flocks of missionaries like the CMS that established St. Banabas Anglican Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church. The first primary school in the town was established in 1927 by CMS. The people are predominantly Christians, with very few still practising traditional style of worship. Today, the town can boost of several Pentacostal Churches, like the Christ Apostolic Church, Assemblies of God Church, Winners Chapel, Deeper Life Bible Church, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Apostolic Church, C&S, Bethesda Gospel Mission, etc. God has raised numbers of men of God who are making impact in the body Christ in and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Development Spirit

The communal efforts and spirit of self-help of the Ivrogbo people rank very high among the Isoko people. They blazed the trail of the execution of self-help development projects among Isoko communities. The town’s union started with the building of a postal agency in 1944 and ran it for many years before the government took over. They built a secondary school with well-furnished science laboratory and sport equipment in 1980 and paid tuition fee for students from neighbouring Ekpe village for years. The main water scheme in the town was provided by the Benin-Owana River Basin Authority in 1983 however, it was the town’s union that did install the distribution of the water pipes round the entire town.

Notable Figures

The town has had produced some political figures and notable professionals who have made an impact in all works of life’s endeavors. The list is endless but there are few names that come to mind, namely:

1. Professor Stephen O. Akpavie, Professor of Vet. Pathology, University of Ibadan. Given to his contributions towards education and development he was bestowed the Chieftancy title of Elo (light) of Irri Kingdom. He’s the first to attain full professorship in the history of the town before retiring.

2. Dr. Eddie Sagini Ugboma. He bagged his PhD in 1984 making him the first PhD holder in Ivrogbo-Irri town. He was a lecturer at the University of Benin but delved into politics and was elected member, representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Bendel State in the 80s. He was also a special adviser to former Governor of Delta State, H.E Olorogu Felix Ibru on Education, and later Secretary to OMPADEC in the 90s.

3. Dr. Jonah Uzezi Lucky Asedegbega. The first foreign trained medical doctor; pediatrician and gynecologist of Ivrogbo-Irri extraction, who practised in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in the late 70s through 80s in Benin City and later joined and retired from Delta State health management board as Chief Medical Consultant in the late 90s.

4. Mrs Susan Igho Omagufi (nee Jockey). He is the 1st female lawyer and athe 1st chief magistrate from Ivrogbo-Irri. She is the daughter of Chief Matthew Jockey of blessed memory.

5. Bovi Ugboma, Ace Comedian, who is coincidentally the son of Dr. Eddie Sagini Ugboma.

6. Hon. Chief Benjamin Okiemute Essien. He was enlisted in the Nigerian Navy but voluntarily retired and delved into politics. He was an elected honourable member representing Isoko South Constituency 1, between 2011 and 2015 in the Delta State House of Assembly. He's adjudged the architect of Isoko modern politics due to his generosity and philanthropic gesture while in the State House of Assembly.

7. Hon. Dickson Fineboy Ebegbare. He was one time the Isoko South LGA Vice Chairman (caretaker committee), SSA to H.E. Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa on Youth Development and an aspirant for Isoko Federal House of Representative in 2023 elections. He's made tremendous impact in the community and beyond so, enjoys huge followers especially amongst youths.

8. Hon. Godwin Obi Eneruvie. He was a teacher who later became Councillor representing Irri Ward 11, in Isoko South LGA, Delta State. He also served as Isoko South LGA PDP chairman.

9. Late Pa. Charles Omoro Okpei. He was a veteran broadcaster with the NTA, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Benin City and later Delta State Broadcasting Service till 1996. He was a columnists, writer, story teller and sport commentator back in the days.

10. Late Dr. Mrs Margaret Ugboma (nee Osokpor). She was a lecturer, liberian and the first female PhD holder in Ivrogbo-Irri town. She is the wife of Dr. Eddie Ugboma and Mother of Bovi Ugboma

11.Late Chief Matthew Jockey. He was a Surveyor and one of the Directors of Wellhead Dredging Nigeria Ltd; a pioneer indigenous dredging company. He had served the community in different capacity and was instrumental to the establishment of Ivrogbo-Irri Grammar School and the Water Board in the 80s. Based on his contributions to community advancement he was honoured with a chietaincy title of "The Ọsogba of Irri Kingdom".

12. Late (DSP) Ogu Okpei. He was enlisted in the Nigerian Police force and retired as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the late 1980s

13. Late Pa. Chief I.D. Akpavie. He was a Councillor in the Isoko District Council in 1956. It was during this time that he influenced the first local government dispensary to the town. He was also a retired school principal.

14. Late Ogege Enabouge. He was a veteran of the Second World War.

15. Late Chief Owodeha Eriode, a foremost first-class Chief and great community leader with so many servants at his beck and call in the colonial days. He was landlord to UAC, Johnholt, Western Region Oil Mill, and was famous in the entire Isokoland and beyond.

16. The town produced many football stars back in the 90s where we had the likes of:

i. Emuakpor Orah who played for Piedmont FC, Central Bank and NEPA football clubs in Benin city.

ii. Late Friday Enah who played for DSC football club Ovwian/Aladja, Delta State

iii. Late Lucky Okpei who played for Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars of Ibadan

17. Some notable men of God who are home-based and are committed to community development and God's kingdom projects are: i. Bishop (Dr.) Vicent Obaruje Oghenero. He's an accountant by training who worked and retired from NDIC but later answered the call of God fully. He is the founder of Jesus Foundation Bible Church Inc., with branches in Abuja, Irri and Ivrogbo.

ii. Evangelist (Prophet) Henry Osiwe Ede. He is founder of the prayer city with a private school running concurrently in Ivrogbo-Irri town. He's the Grandson of Pa. Edeh who served God faithfully with the missionaries in St. Barnabas Anglican Church Ivrogbo-Irri.

Administrative System

The leadership of Ivrogbo-Irri town is tripartite in nature. For example, the traditional stool is based on gerontocracy, i.e., the oldest man in the town assumes the apex leadership of the community and he's called the Odiologbo (at the subclan). He and the Edio in Council, made up of eight men next to him in order of seniority and installation, handle all traditional and customary issues in the town.

There is the Oletu (war minister) whose councils are under the Edio.

There is also the President General and his Executive and branches with Chairmen and their Executives. They handle social affairs internally and externally concerning the development of Ivrogbo-Irri.

Hospitality

Ivrogbo-Irri is known to be a very hospitable town. It's nakenamed as a town that is favourable to strangers. They are also called "Ugo nọ fọ ame" (the eagle that discovered water) due to their cleanliness and closeness to water. It is a place of peace and comfort to visitors all the years.

During the Nigeria Civil War of July 6, 1967, to January 14, 1970, there was a Federal Military Base in Ivrogbo-Irri to keep watch over the Ase River and block the Biafran soldiers from invading Isoko land and by extension the Mid-Western Region.

All Isoko people who fled the riverine war zone did take refuge in Ivrogbo-Irri, and it was only the community that bore the brunt of the heavy military and refugee presence in Isoko. In fact, it was the whole 84 battalions of the Federal Troops under the command of Captain Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former military Head of State that was positioned in Ivrogbo-Irri town.

Ivrogbo-Irri had always been IDP center for neighbouring riverine communities during the heavy flooding due to its strategic location and hospitable deposition.

The town also has potential for tourism due to the availability of sandy beaches and historic structures left behind by the colonial masters.

References

1. The history of Ivrogbo-Irri by Charles Omoro Okpei

2. https://www.academia.edu/es/7699900/IISTE_international_journals_2014_edition_Vol_2

3. https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/ugboma-eddie-sagini-dr/

4. https://vet.ui.edu.ng/SOAkpavie

5. “Closing the Circle” by Denis Montgomery: https://books.google.com.ng/books?id=5aTQAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA132&lpg=PA132&dq=from%20warri%20to%20Ivorogbo&source=bl&ots=oTw7_qfAmO&sig=ACfU3U339G9wcxKNvj1U1stPfnTRJXLplw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt15Oj5Ov3AhUHg_0HHW-HDhYQ6AF6BAgDEAM&fbclid=IwAR2n6a4RGIKp3gq8YxO6yfq-ZkD7dzTX3iwcTbuw-JtyDdJw-dbiuXpaUyo#v=onepage&q=ivorogbo&f=false

6. Nigeria. Federal Dept. of Commerce and Industries · 1951

7. Western Region (Nigeria). Department of Agriculture · 1954