HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
While some people believed that the Uzere people
originated from the Benin kingdom, others disagree. The belief that most of the
Isoko groups (of which Uzere is a part) are of Benin origin were views held and
expressed in the 1960s and 1970s. These views were “decidedly simplistic and were based on British Intelligence
Reports of the 1930s” .
originated from the Benin kingdom, others disagree. The belief that most of the
Isoko groups (of which Uzere is a part) are of Benin origin were views held and
expressed in the 1960s and 1970s. These views were “decidedly simplistic and were based on British Intelligence
Reports of the 1930s” .
But these views or historical accounts, albeit
oral, make interesting reading. For instance some people have posited that
Uzere originated from the Benin kingdom in the year 1393 during the reign of a
Benin Monarch named Oba Ehengbuda. They came from Benin under the leadership of
a man named Uzei which gave rise to the name UZERE. Uzei had three surviving
sons namely, UHERI, EZEDE AND UWEYE.
oral, make interesting reading. For instance some people have posited that
Uzere originated from the Benin kingdom in the year 1393 during the reign of a
Benin Monarch named Oba Ehengbuda. They came from Benin under the leadership of
a man named Uzei which gave rise to the name UZERE. Uzei had three surviving
sons namely, UHERI, EZEDE AND UWEYE.
This account holds that when they left the Benin
kingdom, they first settled at Isele-Uku. After a while they migrated to the
River Niger bank at Asaba. From Asaba, they migrated further to Eboh in Ndokwa.
From Eboh they built their own settlement which they called Eruke. After they built
Eruke, the account goes, one of the sons, Okugbo, wanted to return to the Benin
kingdom to buy ‘kingship’ rights from the Oba of Benin so that he could be
crowned king of his people.
kingdom, they first settled at Isele-Uku. After a while they migrated to the
River Niger bank at Asaba. From Asaba, they migrated further to Eboh in Ndokwa.
From Eboh they built their own settlement which they called Eruke. After they built
Eruke, the account goes, one of the sons, Okugbo, wanted to return to the Benin
kingdom to buy ‘kingship’ rights from the Oba of Benin so that he could be
crowned king of his people.
When Okugbo got to Benin, the Oba sent him to
the Eboh king so he could buy his ‘kingship’ rights from him. The Eboh king
crowned him the very first king of his people in the year 1453. After a while,
the Eboh king invited king Okugbo to visit with him. He accepted this
invitation but was accused of committing an atrocious act in Eboh-land during
the visit and for that he was killed by the Eboh people.
the Eboh king so he could buy his ‘kingship’ rights from him. The Eboh king
crowned him the very first king of his people in the year 1453. After a while,
the Eboh king invited king Okugbo to visit with him. He accepted this
invitation but was accused of committing an atrocious act in Eboh-land during
the visit and for that he was killed by the Eboh people.
War broke out between these two peoples due to
the killing of king Okugbo. The Uzei people had a deity which they worshiped
and the deity, the accounts goes, instructed the people to “dig themselves
underground” to await the Ebohs. The people obviously misinterpreted this
instruction. And instead of getting themselves ready for war, as was the
intended meaning of the instruction, actually buried themselves waist and neck
deep in ground. Most were massacred when the Ebohs invaded.
the killing of king Okugbo. The Uzei people had a deity which they worshiped
and the deity, the accounts goes, instructed the people to “dig themselves
underground” to await the Ebohs. The people obviously misinterpreted this
instruction. And instead of getting themselves ready for war, as was the
intended meaning of the instruction, actually buried themselves waist and neck
deep in ground. Most were massacred when the Ebohs invaded.
After the massacre, most of the surviving Uzei
people sought safety in the present day UZERE town while the rest moved to Odi,
in present day Bayelsa State. This, the account believes, explains the kinship
that exists between Uzere and Odi today.
people sought safety in the present day UZERE town while the rest moved to Odi,
in present day Bayelsa State. This, the account believes, explains the kinship
that exists between Uzere and Odi today.
Uzere formerly known as “Uzei” is located
in the Isoko South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State of Nigeria. It has become one of the largest petroleum oil
producing communities in Nigeria. Oil exploration started in Uzere in 1957.
Uzere has two oil fields(Uzere West and Uzere East) with a total of 43 oil
wells producing about 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m3/d).
Uzere has nine communities: Uhei, Ezede, Uweye, Afikioko(London Base),
Uhroko(Paris), Ekregbesi,Abale, Iwre-Ezede, and Iboro.
in the Isoko South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State of Nigeria. It has become one of the largest petroleum oil
producing communities in Nigeria. Oil exploration started in Uzere in 1957.
Uzere has two oil fields(Uzere West and Uzere East) with a total of 43 oil
wells producing about 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m3/d).
Uzere has nine communities: Uhei, Ezede, Uweye, Afikioko(London Base),
Uhroko(Paris), Ekregbesi,Abale, Iwre-Ezede, and Iboro.
Geographical location
Uzere
lies within the tropical rainforest belt with luxuriant vegetation. It
experiences tropical wet and dry climate, with relatively constant temperatures
throughout the course of the years.
lies within the tropical rainforest belt with luxuriant vegetation. It
experiences tropical wet and dry climate, with relatively constant temperatures
throughout the course of the years.
Uzere is situated on location of
longitude 6° E and latitude 5o N. Her immediate
neighbours include Aviara, Emede, Olomoro, Igbide, Umeh, Erohwa, Enhwe and
Irri. The community has a network of roads that link almost all
the major towns in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. Uzere is
not only centrally located in Isoko South, she is also so suitably located that
it serves both as a major commercial/business center of Isoko people as the
vital corridor through which all the neighboring towns and villages evacuate
their farm produce to all parts of Local Government. The community being very
rich in crude oil attracts attention of several oil companies to the community
such as SPDC and Agip.
longitude 6° E and latitude 5o N. Her immediate
neighbours include Aviara, Emede, Olomoro, Igbide, Umeh, Erohwa, Enhwe and
Irri. The community has a network of roads that link almost all
the major towns in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. Uzere is
not only centrally located in Isoko South, she is also so suitably located that
it serves both as a major commercial/business center of Isoko people as the
vital corridor through which all the neighboring towns and villages evacuate
their farm produce to all parts of Local Government. The community being very
rich in crude oil attracts attention of several oil companies to the community
such as SPDC and Agip.
Culture and custom
The Community Festivals
The
festival of Eni is the most celebrated festival in the history of Uzere
Kingdom. Eni festival “attracts people from all walks of life especially
places where the people usually flock to Uzere to detect witchcraft. It is
accompanied with much fanfare, music, cooking and eating of delicious native
food. It also includes exchange of gifts”. Other festivals are the annual
Uzere Students’ Reunion and Pageant, and the New Year Eve Party usually hosted
by Arube Dance Band of Uzere at the Old Market Square.
festival of Eni is the most celebrated festival in the history of Uzere
Kingdom. Eni festival “attracts people from all walks of life especially
places where the people usually flock to Uzere to detect witchcraft. It is
accompanied with much fanfare, music, cooking and eating of delicious native
food. It also includes exchange of gifts”. Other festivals are the annual
Uzere Students’ Reunion and Pageant, and the New Year Eve Party usually hosted
by Arube Dance Band of Uzere at the Old Market Square.
Worships and Beliefs
In the ancient days, the
people of Uzere pray to Eni which was regarded as their god (Oghene). But today
in Uzere the methods of reaching God is now different since we have an
admixture of Christians and traditional worshippers. But of a critical look,
they both believed on the existence of one supreme being usually referred to as
Oghene-Ologbo (the Supreme God) not minding the difference in their methods of
reaching that God
people of Uzere pray to Eni which was regarded as their god (Oghene). But today
in Uzere the methods of reaching God is now different since we have an
admixture of Christians and traditional worshippers. But of a critical look,
they both believed on the existence of one supreme being usually referred to as
Oghene-Ologbo (the Supreme God) not minding the difference in their methods of
reaching that God
Language
The
people of Uzere speak Isoko language as their mother tongue and the most common
means of communication in the community both in discussion and commerce.
English language is also use especially by the youths and the educated people
in the community and also when discussing with strangers who are not familiar
with the Isoko language.
people of Uzere speak Isoko language as their mother tongue and the most common
means of communication in the community both in discussion and commerce.
English language is also use especially by the youths and the educated people
in the community and also when discussing with strangers who are not familiar
with the Isoko language.
Mode of Life
1.) Occupation: Uzere people are majorly
involved in farming, fishing and trading as their occupation. Most of the women
whether the major trader or not, are involved in one form of trading of trading
or the other especially in the selling of their tapioca produced from their
farms. They are also involved in the production and selling of groundnut.
involved in farming, fishing and trading as their occupation. Most of the women
whether the major trader or not, are involved in one form of trading of trading
or the other especially in the selling of their tapioca produced from their
farms. They are also involved in the production and selling of groundnut.
2.) Food: The major food eaten by the people Uzere is starch
(Ozi), garri, yam and akpu (egu) Standard diet consists a bowl of starch taken
with Banga soup adorned with fresh fish.
(Ozi), garri, yam and akpu (egu) Standard diet consists a bowl of starch taken
with Banga soup adorned with fresh fish.
3.) Housing: The houses in Uzere are mainly built with bricks
but in the ancient days, they were predominantly built with mud and thatch
roof.
but in the ancient days, they were predominantly built with mud and thatch
roof.
Health status of the community
Factors affecting Health
1.
Environmental Degradation: In Uzere, there is a very high prevalence of
environmental degradation as a result of poor agricultural practices, excessive
exploitation of oil and gas in the community by the various oil companies
operating in the communities.
Environmental Degradation: In Uzere, there is a very high prevalence of
environmental degradation as a result of poor agricultural practices, excessive
exploitation of oil and gas in the community by the various oil companies
operating in the communities.
2.
Harmful Cultural Practices: The communities which is a rural communities, are
engaged in some harmful traditional practices which are harmful to health. Some
of such harmful traditional practices are female genital mutilation, food
taboos, widowhood inheritance, etc.
Harmful Cultural Practices: The communities which is a rural communities, are
engaged in some harmful traditional practices which are harmful to health. Some
of such harmful traditional practices are female genital mutilation, food
taboos, widowhood inheritance, etc.
3.
Youth Restiveness: Due to high level of unemployment among the
youths, there are usually cases of youth restiveness in most cases generated by
using inappropriate medium to seek redress to issues bothering the youth. This
has led to several crisis between the oil companies and the youths and also
between the oil companies operating in the communities and the youths.
Youth Restiveness: Due to high level of unemployment among the
youths, there are usually cases of youth restiveness in most cases generated by
using inappropriate medium to seek redress to issues bothering the youth. This
has led to several crisis between the oil companies and the youths and also
between the oil companies operating in the communities and the youths.
4. Gas
Flaring: Due to lack of
effective management of the gas exploited by the oil companies, most of the
gases are flared in the flow station in Uzere community. This has cause several
health challenges to the people in the community and the vegetation is also
badly affected and this has led to low productivity of farm produce which is
one of the major occupation of the people in the community thereby causing
economic losses to the people.
Flaring: Due to lack of
effective management of the gas exploited by the oil companies, most of the
gases are flared in the flow station in Uzere community. This has cause several
health challenges to the people in the community and the vegetation is also
badly affected and this has led to low productivity of farm produce which is
one of the major occupation of the people in the community thereby causing
economic losses to the people.
5. Food
Taboo: The people of Uzere
forbid the consumption of cocoyam and snails. These foods are forbidden because
in the ancient days, the forefathers of the community swore at the river banks
of Eni that they will not eat these because the cocoyam killed some people upon
consumption while the snail is found at the banks of the Eni River. These foods
are very nutritive and also serve as good sources of protein for the snail and
carbohydrate as in the case of the cocoyam. These two food items forbidden by
the people of Uzere are not only nutritive but they are cheap which could have
been a very valuable food items to the people especially the low income
earners.
Taboo: The people of Uzere
forbid the consumption of cocoyam and snails. These foods are forbidden because
in the ancient days, the forefathers of the community swore at the river banks
of Eni that they will not eat these because the cocoyam killed some people upon
consumption while the snail is found at the banks of the Eni River. These foods
are very nutritive and also serve as good sources of protein for the snail and
carbohydrate as in the case of the cocoyam. These two food items forbidden by
the people of Uzere are not only nutritive but they are cheap which could have
been a very valuable food items to the people especially the low income
earners.
Resources in the Community used to Solve the
Problem
Problem
1.) Rich
Agricultural Land: The present of good agricultural land make
necessary food available in the community and helps in solving the problems of
malnutrition.
Agricultural Land: The present of good agricultural land make
necessary food available in the community and helps in solving the problems of
malnutrition.
2.) Industrial
Development: Uzere is
blessed with black gold. It is one of the largest oil producing communities in
Nigeria. The Kingdom is also known for the production of groundnut, cassava and
fish. There is a saying in Isoko that, “if you love fish, then marry an
Uzere man.” Though, Uzere is known for oil exploration, it has recently
developed into an industrial town with a cassava processing factory by the
Bashorun Askia Ogieh’s administration.
Development: Uzere is
blessed with black gold. It is one of the largest oil producing communities in
Nigeria. The Kingdom is also known for the production of groundnut, cassava and
fish. There is a saying in Isoko that, “if you love fish, then marry an
Uzere man.” Though, Uzere is known for oil exploration, it has recently
developed into an industrial town with a cassava processing factory by the
Bashorun Askia Ogieh’s administration.
3.) Health
Care Services: The rapid increase in
health-care delivery services, both public and private, has contributed
immensely in lowering infant mortality and death rates generally in Uzere. Uzere has a Cottage Hospital built and equipped by
the Shell Petroleum Development Company and health centers.
Care Services: The rapid increase in
health-care delivery services, both public and private, has contributed
immensely in lowering infant mortality and death rates generally in Uzere. Uzere has a Cottage Hospital built and equipped by
the Shell Petroleum Development Company and health centers.
4.) Good
Community Leadership: The
community leaders such as the Ovie, Oletus, Odios, Council of Chiefs, police etc. help in the enforcement of laws and ensure
that the rights of people are not violated and at the same time ensure that the
people in the community enjoy good health.
Community Leadership: The
community leaders such as the Ovie, Oletus, Odios, Council of Chiefs, police etc. help in the enforcement of laws and ensure
that the rights of people are not violated and at the same time ensure that the
people in the community enjoy good health.
5.) Educational
Establishments: Schools serve as a major means of educating
the people in the community on issue bothered by lack of adequate knowledge,
malnutrition and general awareness of this people and at the same time improves
the health status of the people. There are numerous public and private schools
in Uzere. They include: Uzere Grammar School, St. Paul’s Schools, Elite
Academy, Uzere Primary School, Ogrih Primary School, and Eni Primary School.
Establishments: Schools serve as a major means of educating
the people in the community on issue bothered by lack of adequate knowledge,
malnutrition and general awareness of this people and at the same time improves
the health status of the people. There are numerous public and private schools
in Uzere. They include: Uzere Grammar School, St. Paul’s Schools, Elite
Academy, Uzere Primary School, Ogrih Primary School, and Eni Primary School.
6.) Economic
advancement: The
history of Uzere people as a dynamic people is most adequately reflected in the
field of trading and commerce. The town its environs remains a
major producer of a variety of major important food-stuff such as yams,
cassava, garri and palm oil.
advancement: The
history of Uzere people as a dynamic people is most adequately reflected in the
field of trading and commerce. The town its environs remains a
major producer of a variety of major important food-stuff such as yams,
cassava, garri and palm oil.
