Auchi
Auchi is a city in Edo State, Nigeria.[1]
Auchi | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of Auchi Town overhead the Arafat Mosque | |
Auchi Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 7°04′N 6°16′E / 7.067°N 6.267°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Edo State |
| Population (150,000) | |
| • Total | 150,000 |
| 2006 census | |
Auchi, a part of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, serves as the Local Government headquarters. Other towns in the Etsako West local government area include: Uzairue, South Ibie, Agbede and The Anwain Clan. During the British colonial rule, it was the headquarters of the Kukuruku Division, the administrative headquarters of five districts.[2] It is the home of Auchi Polytechnic.[3]
History edit
There are varied historical accounts relating to the origins of the Auchi people. The most popular of these legends asserts that a mass migration from Udo in present-day Benin City led by a man called Uchi accompanied by his family and followers headed north and finally settled for the relative calm of the Guinea Savannah belt known today as Etsako[4] land. This migration is believed to have taken place in the mid-15th century, during the reign of Oba Ewuare of the Benin Kingdom.[5] This period in the Benin empire was characterised by constant wars and incessant strife.[5]
Language edit
The language spoken by the Auchi people is 'Yekhè' or Etsako amongst the Afenmai language. It is an Edoid language dialect or variant.[6]
Geography edit
Auchi town is divided into five grand quarters which could also be referred to as districts; these are in turn made up of 25 villages.
The five grand quarters are:
- UTSOGUN
- AKPEKPE
- AIBOTSE
- IGBHEI
- IYEKHEI
- In recent times, 24 extra villages have been created
Culture and traditions edit
Auchi Kingdom is headed by a monarchy and the traditional ruler is referred to as the Otaru of Auchi. The 8 January is designated as Auchi Day. This commemorative day was previously called Uchi Day.[7]
Religion edit
Auchi has been a major Islamic town.[8] Oba Momodu was the first person to embraced Islam in the area, and also the dynamic king of the kingdom and passed on 1944, Auchi followed quickly in the wake of his action. The people live peacefully. The welcoming and hospitable nature of the Auchi people has to a very large extent contributed to the cultural and religious diversity of the town.[9]
Population edit
The population grew to 42,638 by 1952, including people from many Nigerian tribes.[10] As of 1995, its population was 140,612. As of 2005–2006, currently, the population is about 150,000 persons. In 2019, Auchi was regarded amongst the fastest growing urban area in Edo State, Nigeria.[11]
List of Otarus (traditional kings) edit
- Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh (Ikelebe III) 10th Otaru of Auchi (1996 -)[12][13]
- Alhaji Ahmed Guruza Momoh, the 9th Otaru of Auchi (1973 - 1996)[14]
- Abubakar Keremi Momoh, The 8th Otaru of Auchi (1955 - 1970)[15]
- King Momoh Jimah Momoh, the 7th Otaru of Auchi (1945 - 1955)[16]
- King Momoh Idaeo, the 6th Otaru of Auchi (1919 - 1944)[16]
- King Ikharo Ikelebe, the 5th Otaru of Auchi (1905 - 1919)[17][18]
- Odifili, the 4th Otaru of Auchi (1905)[19]
- Idaeo Ikelebe, the 3rd Otaru of Auchi (1884 - 1905)[20]
- Imoudu Iburogamhe, the 2nd Otaru of Auchi (1872-1884)[citation needed]
- Ikelebe the first, 1st Otaru of Auchi (1819 - 1861)[citation needed][21]
Notable people edit
- Kamaru Usman, former UFC Welterweight Champion[22]
- John Momoh, media personality
- Tony Momoh, politician
- Johnson Suleman, pastor
- Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, Lawyer & the first Senior Advocate
Institutions and infrastructure edit
Auchi is home to:
- Auchi Polytechnic
- Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering [citation needed]
- Edo Fertilizer Milling Plant (commenced operation in June 2017)[23]
Climate edit
The climate at Auchi, which has an elevation of 0 meters (None feet) above sea level, is tropical wet and dry or savanna (Aw classification). The district's average annual temperature is -0.74% lower than Nigeria's averages at 28.72 °C (83.7 °F). 183.14 millimeters (7.21 inches) of precipitation and 265.4 rainy days (72.71% of the time) are typical yearly totals for Auchi.[24]
Erosion edit
Some parts of Auchi have been seriously devastated due to soil erosion. The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), assisted by the World Bank, are now tackling the menace and are making fast progress.[25][26]
Gallery edit
References edit
- ^ MACCAFERRI. "The NEWMAP addresses gully erosion in Auchi, Edo state". MACCAFERRI. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
- ^ "My father had 48 wives and they always took an oath every six months – Tony Momoh". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ webadmin1. "Home". Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Etsako people of Edo State, Nigeria". www.edoworld.net. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Benin | History, Culture & People of West Africa | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "The Languages and Local Government Areas in Edo State – Edo Dynasty United Worldwide". Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ Webmaster (21 January 2017). "Auchi Day: A celebration of the Most High". Daily Trust. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ Webmaster (23 February 2013). "Life of Momoh, Auchi's first Muslim King". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Voice, Muslim (10 October 2022). "The Nigerian Mosque: Arafat Mosque, Auchi | The Muslim Voice, Nigeria". Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "Ajakolo | Nigeria Facts". nigeriafacts.net. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ Ajayi, A.S; Ibrahim, Rasheed; Brai, M. A.; Seghosime, Sule (2019). "Overview of the Anthropogenic Causes of Soil Erosion in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria" (PDF). Merit Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Sciences. 7 (8): 087–090. doi:10.5281/zenodo.3380575.
- ^ "Otaru of Auchi splashes N5m on Asalatu Muslim women". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "I abandoned my gold mining business when I became king — Momoh". Punch Newspapers. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ Adeolu (20 March 2017). "MOMOH, (His Highness, Alhaji) Ahmad Guruza, Ikelebe II". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "114 years after, Ikharos seek court validation for rotation of Auchi stool". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ a b "114 years after, Ikharos seek court validation for rotation of Auchi stool". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Nigerian Traditional States". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Saliu Osifuemhe Ahmed – A Man Of Many Parts". ALEDEH. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Mubarak, Abdulrasheed. "All You Need To Know About Auchi Land ⋆ Tropics Nigeria". Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "otaru". library.answerthepublic.net. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (5 January 2021). "The relevance of January 14 in Oyo (3)". Vanguard News. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ Tewari, Avinash (17 May 2021). "Where was UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman born?". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "Edo Fertilizer Blending Plant To Commence Operation June". Concise News. June 2017.
- ^ "Auchi, Edo, NG Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data". tcktcktck.org. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Olatunji,Iretomiwa (19 January 2016). "Resettlement action plan for Auchi erosion Gully site in Etsako West, Edo State". The World Bank.
- ^ "Auchi residents cry out over erosion, seek Obaseki's intervention". Tribune Online. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
External links edit
- "Nigeria - Erosion and Watershed Management Project : resettlement plan (Vol. 6) : Resettlement action plan for Auchi erosion Gully site in Etsako West, Edo State". World Bank. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- http://www.afemaipeople.com/
- http://stanwilly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/etsako-people-of-nigeria-history-and.html
- http://ihuanedo.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-real-story-of-auchi-town
- http://auchipoly.edu.ng