Otukpo

Otukpo is a town in Benue State, Nigeria located in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria. It is also the eponymous name of a subgroup of the Idoma people. Otukpo is the headquarters of the Otukpo Local Government Area. It was the headquarters of the former Idoma Province, and remains an important town in Idomaland, an area mainly populated by the Idoma speaking people, though with numerous local dialects spoken in the diverse reaches of Idoma land. Otukpo Idoma language is the umbrella lingua.

Otukpo
LGA and Town
Otukpo
Coordinates: 7°11′35″N 8°8′47″E
Country Nigeria
StateBenue State
Local Government HeadquartersOtukpo
Government
 • Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government CouncilGeorge Ali
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)

Otukpo is the seat of the Och' Idoma, the Paramount Chief of the Idomas.

Religion

The people of Otukpo are predominantly Christians. Christianity came into the town during the colonial era. The Roman Catholic church is the pioneer church in the land and is popularly referred to as Church 'ufada' (the Reverend Father's church). The Methodist church is also popular in the area. Of late, there is the proliferation of Pentecostal churches in Otukpo. There is also the presence of traditional worship (Alekwu) in Otukpo. Although traditional worship is gradually going extinct, the Alekwu (ancestral) Onyonkpo and Achukwu deities are held sacred in many villages of Otukpo. There is also the practice of Islam by indigenous people of Otukpo. The Abu family in Otukpo town are the first indigenous Idoma people in Otukpo that embraced and practiced Islam. Other Idoma indigenes that practiced Islam in Otukpo are the Sule Ujor family, Sule Audu and the Samsudeen Amali family, also the family of professor samsudeen Amali of Upu village are of the Islamic faith.

Transport

Otukpo is served by a train station on the national railway network as well as numerous bus and taxi services such as Benue Links, Ejifa Transport, Silver Travels, Pleasure Travels, Calculux and Ifesinachi which travel to every major city in Nigeria daily.

See also

References

    http://www.idoma.info/history.php

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