Ika people

Ika is one of the Igbo sub groups in Delta state. Ika people are specifically located in the North-West of Delta State but some of their communities like Igbanke/IgboAkiri, Oligie, Inyelen and Ekpon spilled over into Edo State. Ika communities mostly comprise the following: Agbor, Owa,(Agbor and Owa being the major Ika speaking place) Umunede, Owerre Olubor, Ekuoma, Emuhu, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ogbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon (Edo State), Igbanke/Igbo Akiri (Edo State), Oligie (Edo State), Inyelen Edo State), Iru (Edo State). Other Ika communities found in Edo State are Owanikeke, Ute Oheze, Ute Obagie N’Oheze, Owa-Riuzor Idu and Igbogili. They share a lot in common with the larger igbo ethnic group in terms of name, language, food and mode of dressing, which makes them a sub-tribe of these great tribe.

Location

Geographically, the Ika speaking people are found in the north west of Delta State. They share borders in the west with the Edo, in the north with the Ishan, in the East with the Aniocha and in the south with the Ukwuani. Politically, Ika speakers are mainly found in two local government areas, Ika North East and Ika South local government areas, both created in 1991 from a single Ika Local Government Area, in Delta State. Ika South and Ika North East local government areas, occupy a land area of 117.45 square kilometres (Delta State Government website, 1999) with a total population of about 240,000 people. There are other Ika speaking people that are political outside the Ika North east and Ika South local government areas. The exact population of speakers of the Ika language or those with Ika as mother tongue is not known since this information was not included in the 1991 census result (1991 census).

Language

Ika people speak the Ika language which is an igboid or dialect of the Igbo language and they have traditional rulers Eze and Ndi Ichie.

Origin

The various clans that make up Ika have many origins. But similarities of the language with Igbo suggests there might be Igbo connections. To distinguish the Ika people from other igbo ethnic groups in Delta region ,may be difficult as they do not have many physical characteristics or features which distinguish them from each other. The exact population of Ika people and speakers is about 39,000.

Religion

The Ika people are predominantly Christians. Some Ika people also practice Igbo traditional worship called Omenana. Ika people refer to God as Oselobue and Chukwu.91% of the population practise christian and 9% Ethnic religions.

Economy

The Ika (of Delta state) boast of being the home to the sweetest African Palmwine. The people of Ika tribe are majorly Farmers and the wealthiest engage in Palm kernel business with red oil extraction or other forms such as palm wine tapping.

Prominent Ika people
  • HRM Benjamin Ikechukwu Kiagborekuzi I, The Dein of Agbor Kingdom
  • Jim Ovia, Nigerian business man ; founder of Zenith Bank
  • Sebastine Okoh, SSA To Deputy Senate President On Politics > > CEO Stiinos Ltd
  • Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
  • Akpenyi Simeon, Nigerian business

man

• Gift Kenneth >>> CEO Of GSP Ken Global Services

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