THE HISTORY OF AGBARHA-OTOR KINGDOM IN UGHELLI NORTH, DELTA STATE

THE HISTORY OF AGBARHA-OTOR KINGDOM IN UGHELLI NORTH, DELTA STATE 

Agbarha-Otor is one of the Urhobo kingdoms in Ughelli North LGA of Delta state. Agbara-Otor shares common traditions of origin with Ogor, Orogun and Ughelli kingdoms.

THE FOUR KINGDOMS 

The four kingdoms were founded by the four descendants of OGHWOGHA, namely OGOR, AGBARHA, UGHELLI & OROGUN the daughter of ORIARHA the only female among the four children of OGHWOGHA who was married to an UKUANI man from ASABA-ASE. OGHWOGHWA their father migrated from Benin through IJO creeks and settled at OGOVIRI with his wives, EBUERUKE the mother of OGOR, AGBARHA AND ANEHUE who gave birth to UGHELLI and ORIARHA (the mother of Orogun. Ogor the first of the children remained within the territory of OGHWOGHA, settled, while the rest moved to settle at different locations among the four children. 

COURAGEOUS AND ADVENTUROUS 

Agbarha was outstanding, courageous and adventurous, his choice of location was determined by his desire not to be far away from the ancestral home while being close enough to Orogun's mother, their only sister in order to put a protective eye on her. The adventurous character of Agbara made him to travel to far places including the Benin kingdom where he got engaged to an EBELLE PRINCESS and had his first son, Ebelle who became the first king of  Agbarha-Otor due to the royal equipped he acquired from his maternal grandfather. 

(1)Ebelle1 reigned from 1573-1610

(2)Okpame 1630-1662

(3)Ijaro 1662-1718

(4)Omohwe 1718-1726

(5)Ekokiyere 1726-1793

(6)Okonoli 1793-1863

(7)Owhe 1863-1897

(8)Ojakovo 1897-1945

(9)Awhariefe 1945-1952

(10)Ekpe period of crises 1952-1969

(11)Okorefe1971-1980

(12)Ebelle 11 1981-2012

(13)Okorefe 2012 till date.

INTERREGNUM 

There was interregnum between Ebelle 1 and Okpame, thus the present King Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okorefe 1 is the number 13 in the order of kings of AGBARA-OTOR.  The kingdom has only one rulling house and  succession to the thrown is by primogeniture, which is from father to the eldest son. 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES 

The kingdom consists of 30 towns and villages and the headquarters is OTOWODO with a population of about 75.000 by the 2006 census. 

The political and cultural head is the king (Ovie) The king is assisted in the administration of the kingdom by the president General of Agbara improvement Union and his executive members who are supported by the ICTUS and Youth Bodies. 

DEVELOPMENT 

However, Agbara-Otor is one of the largest communities in Urhobo land both in terms of size and population. The town has several schools owned by the government and private individuals and good motorable roads. The town is a notable links between Delta South and North. Agbarha is rich in crude oil and gas which is evident in the presence of Shell Petroleum development Company (SPDC) 

RELIGION. 

Although, the predominant religion of Agbara people is Christianity but many natives still practiced paganism, this evident in the several ancestral shrines that can still be seen in the town. 

FESTIVALS 

The major festivals of the people of Agbara is known as EKENE festival which is the most celebrated festivals in the history of the town. 

INDUSTRIES AND SCHOOLS

Agbara-Otor is the home of the then SKOL lager Beer and Super Malt products of IBRU brewery and the popular Ibru Resorts Center. 

(1)Micheal and Cecilia university 

(2)Ibru College 

(3)Ogagaoghene Comprehensive  High school 

(4)Awirhe secondary school, Oghara secondary school.

#honugbo  #history