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Auchi

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Auchi
Aerial view of Auchi Town overhead the Arafat Mosque
Aerial view of Auchi Town overhead the Arafat Mosque
Auchi is located in Nigeria
Auchi
Auchi
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°04′N 6°16′E / 7.067°N 6.267°E / 7.067; 6.267
CountryNigeria
StateEdo State
Population
 (150,000)
 • Total
150,000
 2006 census
Auchi-Jattu Road
Auchi Polytechnic Main Entrance

Auchi is a city in Edo State, Nigeria.[1]

Auchi,[2] a part of Etsako West Local Government Area[3] 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, Auchi was the headquarters of the Kukuruku Division,[4][5] it serves as the administrative headquarters of five districts which was also referred to as quarters and they are Utsogu, Akpekpe, Aibotse, Igbhei and lyekhei.[6] It is the home of Auchi Polytechnic.[7]

History

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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[8] land. This migration is believed to have taken place in the mid-15th century, during the reign of Oba Ewuare of the Benin Kingdom.[9] This period in the Benin empire was characterised by constant wars and incessant strife.[9]

Language

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The language spoken by the Auchi people is 'Yekhè' or Etsako amongst the Afenmai language. It is an Edoid language dialect or variant.[10]

Geography

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This section of the River Orle runs through Oshiomole Village in Auchi
The River Orle
Auchi Central Mosque, Ughelli Market Annex
Central Mosque Auchi

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

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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.[11]

Religion

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Auchi has been a major Islamic town.[12] 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.[13]

Population

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The population grew to 42,638 by 1952, including people from many Nigerian tribes.[14] 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.[15]

List of Otarus (traditional kings)

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The Otaru of Auchi accompanied by the Daudus (chiefs)
  • Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh (Ikelebe III) 10th Otaru of Auchi (1996 -)[16][17]
  • Alhaji Ahmed Guruza Momoh, the 9th Otaru of Auchi (1973 - 1996)[18]
  • Abubakar Keremi Momoh, The 8th Otaru of Auchi (1955 - 1970)[19]
  • King Momoh Jimah Momoh, the 7th Otaru of Auchi (1945 - 1955)[20]
  • King Momoh Idaeo, the 6th Otaru of Auchi (1919 - 1944)[20]
  • King Ikharo Ikelebe, the 5th Otaru of Auchi (1905 - 1919)[21][22]
  • Odifili, the 4th Otaru of Auchi (1905)[23]
  • Idaeo Ikelebe, the 3rd Otaru of Auchi (1884 - 1905)[24]
  • Imoudu Iburogamhe, the 2nd Otaru of Auchi (1872-1884)[25]
  • Ikelebe the first, 1st Otaru of Auchi (1819 - 1861)[25][26]

Notable people

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Institutions and infrastructure

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Auchi is home to:

Climate

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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.[31]

Erosion

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Erosion Devastation in Auchi

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.[32][33]

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References

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  1. ^ MACCAFERRI. "The NEWMAP addresses gully erosion in Auchi, Edo state". MACCAFERRI. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  2. ^ "The history and origin of Auchi — Edugist". 8 November 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  3. ^ Area, Etsako Central Local Government. "About Us". Etsako Central Local Government Area. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  4. ^ Usuanlele, Uyilawa (2014). "British colonial administration, development of Islam and Islamic education in a non-Muslim society: The Benin division (Nigeria) experience 1897-1960". Contemporary Journal of African Studies. 2 (2): 69–83 – via Sabinet African Journals.
  5. ^ admin (26 October 2017). "The Creation of Kukuruku Division – Aha Idokpesi Okhaishe N' Avhianwu - Ogbona Elites". Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  6. ^ "My father had 48 wives and they always took an oath every six months – Tony Momoh". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Home". Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Etsako people of Edo State, Nigeria". www.edoworld.net. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Benin | History, Culture & People of West Africa | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  10. ^ "The Languages and Local Government Areas in Edo State – Edo Dynasty United Worldwide". Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  11. ^ Webmaster (21 January 2017). "Auchi Day: A celebration of the Most High". Daily Trust. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  12. ^ Webmaster (23 February 2013). "Life of Momoh, Auchi's first Muslim King". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  13. ^ Voice, Muslim (10 October 2022). "The Nigerian Mosque: Arafat Mosque, Auchi | The Muslim Voice, Nigeria". Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Ajakolo | Nigeria Facts". nigeriafacts.net. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Otaru of Auchi splashes N5m on Asalatu Muslim women". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  17. ^ "I abandoned my gold mining business when I became king — Momoh". Punch Newspapers. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  18. ^ Adeolu (20 March 2017). "MOMOH, (His Highness, Alhaji) Ahmad Guruza, Ikelebe II". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Nigerian Traditional States". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Saliu Osifuemhe Ahmed – A Man Of Many Parts". ALEDEH. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  23. ^ Mubarak, Abdulrasheed. "All You Need To Know About Auchi Land ⋆ Tropics Nigeria". Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  24. ^ "otaru". library.answerthepublic.net. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  25. ^ a b Arunah, Abdulrahman Osioke (2006). A History of Auchi Kingdom. Haytee Press & Publishing Company. ISBN 978-978-8090-25-0.
  26. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (5 January 2021). "The relevance of January 14 in Oyo (3)". Vanguard News. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  27. ^ Tewari, Avinash (17 May 2021). "Where was UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman born?". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  28. ^ "About the School". Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Commander Of 4th Brigade Of Nigerian Army Visits NASEME In Auchi | The Reliance Newspaper". 24 January 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Edo Fertilizer Blending Plant To Commence Operation June". Concise News. June 2017.
  31. ^ "Auchi, Edo, NG Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data". tcktcktck.org. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  32. ^ Olatunji,Iretomiwa (19 January 2016). "Resettlement action plan for Auchi erosion Gully site in Etsako West, Edo State". The World Bank.
  33. ^ "Auchi residents cry out over erosion, seek Obaseki's intervention". Tribune Online. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Auchi.
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