Oju Local Government in Benue State (Interesting Facts).

Oju Local Government in Benue State was formed during the regime of Late Murtala Muhammed having its headquarters situated in Oju town and is made up of 11 councilors which represents the 11 wards of the local government area.

The Oju Local Government in Benue State is headed by a chairman is who is the chief executive head of the local government who promotes the growth and development of the entire community.

Oju was one of the pioneer local governments among the Three Hundred and One (301) local government areas created as a product of the progressive and revolutionary local government reform of 1976 in Nigeria.

Oju Local Government in Benue State has its headquarters in the town of Oju and the area comprises the districts of Igede central known as Oju and Uwokwu also known as Oju II, each having other villages such as Abelega, Adega, Abofutu, Adiko, Ameka & Akunda.

As we hinted earlier, Oju local government was created on February, 1976.  Oju Local Government Area share boundary with the following:

• • North: Obi and Gwer local government
  • East: Konshisha local government
  • West: Ado local local government
  •  South – Ebonyi and Cross River States of Nigeria.

Talking about religion in Oju, there are two religions in Oju Local Government Area. The predominant Christianity on one hand and the traditional African religion on the other.

The people of Oju are about eighty-five per cent (85%) Christians and about fifteen (15%) traditional worshippers.

Who are Oju People?

The Igede are the dominant ethnic group in the local government and the people speak the Igede dialect. The Igede people are accommodating and tolerant of visitors.

The people make the non-indigenous tribes in the locality feel very welcomed and at home. Igede people at home have a rich culture that is a totality of the people’s way of life, heritage, language, history, geography and belief system.

The traditional rulers have the mandate as custodians of the peoples’ culture to preserve and promote it, alongside the elders of the communities, individuals, and the local government authorities.

Major Occupation Of Oju People

Farming, Trading, and Civil Services are the major occupation of people of Oju local government.

The Oju land is very fertile and about 80% of the inhabitants are farmers. Its rich and diverse agricultural endowment include:

• Yam,
• Rice,
• Beni seed,
• Guinea corn,
• Palm,
• Soya beans,
• Cassava,
• Millet,
• Maize,
• Groundnut,

The economy is dependent on agriculture (food and cash crops) produced in commercial quantity. The people of Oju are also involved in: Livestock keeping, Fishing, and Hunting

Mineral Resources in Oju Local Government

Oju Local Government Area has proven reserves of solid minerals like:

1. 1. Limestone
   2. Precious stone
   3. Bauxite
   4. Coal
   5. Clay
   6. Zinc, and
   7. Salt

Oju District, Council Ward and Language

• Language

Oju local government people generally speak Igede as their indigenous language and English as official language.

• District

1. 1. Igede Central (Oju I) district/state constituency and
   2. Uwokwu (Oju II) district/state constituency

• Council Ward

1. 1. Adokpa council ward
   2. Ibilla council ward
   3. Idelle council ward
   4. Iyeche council ward
   5. Oboru Oye council ward
   6. Oju council ward
   7. Okpokpo council ward
   8. Okudu council ward
   9. Owo council ward
   10. Ukpa council ward, and
   11. Ainu council ward

Oju Local Government Popular Market

Oju currently has five market days, namely:

1. Ihigile
2. Ihio
3. Ihiobila
4. Ihiejwo
5. Ihiokwu

List Of Village/Town in Oju Local Government

• • • Adodo;
    • Adum;
    • Alloma;
    • Anwu;
    • Arigede;
    • Ebenta;
    • Egbilla-Idella;
    • Egbilla-Izzi;
    • Ekpete;
    • Enugu-Oye;
    • Enurn;
    • Esewa;
    • Ibalakum;
    • Idele;
    • Ifator;
    • Igbegi;
    • Igbella;
    • Igbilla;
    • Igwe-Ette;
    • Igwoke;
    • Ikatakwe;
    • Ikoku;
    • Ikori;
    • Inyuma;
    • Irachi;
    • Itafor;
    • Itakeni;
    • Iyator;
    • Iyokolo;
    • Obaogede;
    • Obene;
    • Obiladun;
    • Odaleko;
    • Ogaka;
    • Ogege;
    • Ogori;
    • Ojokwe;
    • Okekpo;
    • Okochi;
    • Okwurum;
    • Orihi;
    • Otukpo-Oye;
    • Owori-Ipinu;

List of Popular  Foods in Oju