Introduction
The Oligbo Kingdom, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State is a town in Nigeria’s Delta State and headquarters for the Local Government Area of Aniocha North. Isi-Ile-uku, “Issele-Uku” Kingdom was founded by Prince Uwadiaie who was the second son of Oba Eweka 1. It is also the Episcopal of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Issele Uku. Issele-Uku is endowed with arable land and surrounded by all the necessary amenities of life and is served by the nearby new Asaba International Airport.
Background
The Issele people are the descendants of Oligbo the son of Ovbi IKhime otherwise known as Eze Chima who left the ancient Bini kingdom at about 1200 A.D. The main homestead of the Isseles is Issele-Uku from whence Issele-Mkpitime and Issele Azagba left to found other towns. Issele-Uku is located at an equidistance of Agbor and Asaba. Issele Mkpitime is about three miles north of Issele-Uku and Issele Azagba is located within the Delta state Capital of Asaba. Issele-uku is the headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government of Delta State. Furthermore, Issele-Uku is the traditional head of Ezechima clan which includes Onitsha in Anambra state.
Geography
The Issele Uku town in the oil rich Delta State of Nigeria is located west of the majestic River Niger. The historic River Niger is a trans-African link beginning from West Africa and down into the Atlantic Ocean. It is centrally located to the state capital Asaba and has been the reason for the recent decision by Delta state to partner Chinese firm on motor assembly plant to be built soon.
Language
Issele-Uku lies approximately six degrees north of the equator. Igbo is the native language in Issele-Uku and neighboring towns/environs. Although the Ika-Ibo Language predominates at Issele-Uku nowadays and it was due mainly to the fact that there were more interactions with the later Ibo founded towns around Issele-Uku than Benin-City which is situated a long distance away.
Politics
Issele-Uku, ruled by HRM Engr. Nduka Ezeagwuna 11, is headquarters of the Delta State Local Government Area of Aniocha North. Although not well represented in politics, there have been agitations of marginalization in recent times and for this reason there is much to be expected in the coming years.
Demographics
The area is growing with immigrant population from communities like Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, Hausa and Yoruba people immigrating to Issele-town.
Landmark And Prominent Indigenes
An indigene of the Isseles was perhaps the first non-slave African Immigrant to North America. Reverend Samuel W.Nwadiei Martin came to the United States in the late 1800s. His family and the Issele people had presumed him dead when he came back suddenly as a missionary in 1922. With the help of U.S. Foreign Mission Bureau, he founded Pilgrim Baptist Church, Issele-Uku.
He used this church as a launch pad to found primary and secondary schools within Issele-uku and the environs as well as other parts of the then western region including Ofagbe and Ewohimi. Many of the people attending the convention are the beneficiary of Rev. Martin’s largesse whether directly or indirectly. Moreover, through his efforts and influence, the Isseles have arguably the most immigrants in America from any Nigerian town of her size or perhaps any indigenous African town big or small. Among these immigrants are lawyers, doctors, engineers, professors and pharmacists to mention but a few.
Reverend Martin’s benevolence and philanthropy is yet to be marched by any other indigene of Issele kingdom. His quick intervention with the Federal troops during the war saved Issele-uku from the scorched earth policy that was to consume all the Igbos from Agbor down to the Atlantic Ocean. This policy traumatized the Anioma people culminating in the now infamous Asaba and Isheagu massacres. Issele-Uku became a refugee center for other Aniomites during the war thanks to Reverend Martin.
This convention would discuss how to resuscitate Reverend Martin’s legacies which are dilapidating since his death in 1976 at the age of 106 years. Once again the Issele people are at the cross roads. We need a blue print that would guide our people through the new millennium. Furthermore, the burden is on us not to allow the eternal flame of our greatest son to dim.
Contemporary Issele-Uku indigenes include Emmanuel Ojei of Nuel Ojei Holdings, an astute businessman, General Fred Chijiuka former erudite military spokesman, Mr. Peter Nwaodua, former SS director and a great asset to Issele people, Air Vice Marshall Dike, the current pilot and commandant of the presidential air fleet, Mr. Ikechukwu Odoe, a permanent secretary of one of the Federal ministries to mention but a few.
The Delta State NYSC Orientation Camp is located at the Former Pilgrim Baptist Teacher Training College, Issele-Uku.