The Yoruba is gradually fading into extinction as it is mostly being spoken by the older generation while Igbo is commonly spoken by both the older and younger generations. The people also bear both Igbo and Yoruba names interchangeably.
In a revealing interview with National Mirror, the traditional ruler of Ugbodu kingdom, H.R.M. Ayo Isinyemeze, the Oloza (Obi) of Ugbodu said in clear terms that Ugbodu people are of Yoruba stock and their dialect was Olukumi.
The monarch who is also a lawyer and the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in Aniocha North, explained that Ugbodu migrated from Owo/Akure axis in the present day Ondo State between 9th and 11th Century AD. They first settled in Benin during the reign of King Ogiso of Benin but had to leave Benin after a controversy in Benin Kingdom.
At that time King Ogiso's most neglected wife had given birth to the heir apparent of the throne which didn't go down well with the nobles. They consulted the oracle which declared that the child should be killed for peace to reign in Benin Kingdom. The child was too handsome to be killed and a fowl was killed in his place.
Ugbodu people felt unsafe and had to leave. If a crown prince could be ordered for execution, anything could happen to them as their security wasn't guaranteed. After leaving Benin, they make a brief stop at Ewohimi, an Esan speaking community before leaving for their present abode in Delta State.
According to historical records, the first six Olozas of Olukumi after years and decades of the establishment of the Ugbodu Kingdom bear typical Yoruba names namely: Adeola, Aderemi, Ariyo, Odofin, Adetunji and Oyetunde.
However, as time goes on, Ugbodu lost contact their Yoruba kinsmen since they are far away from home. They begin to adopt Edo names and consequently Igbo names. The Igbo influence on Ugbodu is progressive affecting the sociocultural and linguistic facets of Ugbodu people. This is reflective in the names of the Olozas who ruled Ugbodu between mid 19th century till date: Dike, Ochei, Ezenweani and Isinyemeze.
One of the major challenges of Ugbodu at the moment is reviving their declining Olukumi language. The older generation is more connected to the language than the youths who have been greatly influenced by Igbo language.
The Oloza of Ugbodu has been at the forefront of reviving and protecting the original Olukumi language. There is progress as many parents are now giving their children Olukumi names. The Oloza himself started it as all his children all bear first Yoruba names.
There is also an Olukumi reciting contest organised by the Oloza to reward children that can comfortably speak Olukumi without mixing it with Igbo and English. This gradual renaissance is an ongoing effort of assimilating Ugbodu back to their Yoruba roots.
Interestingly, Ugbodu people also speak Igbo language but now as a second language. Igbo seems to have made a permanent inroad into Ugbodu and it will take years of acculturation for them to revert back completely to Olukumi.
Some famous people from Ugbodu are Helen Anyamelune (Miss Nigeria 1958), Nduka Ugbade, the captain of the first ever under 18 Golden Eaglets that brought the first world cup to Nigeria and Africa as a whole in 1985 (China’85), Zeal Onyecheme of Style Plus musical band, Chinedum Mordi (First Ugbodu Professor) and others.
H.R.M. The Oloza of Ugbodu, Ayo Isinyemeze
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