History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Urue-Offong Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State

 
Urue-Offong/Oruko lies in southeastern Nigeria and functions as a Local Government Area within Akwa Ibom State, established in September 1991.

This area is one of five Local Government Areas where the Oro language is spoken. It is bordered to the northwest by Okobo in Akwa Ibom, to the northeast by Oron also in Akwa Ibom, to the east by Udung Uko, to the southeast by Mbo in Akwa Ibom, and to the southwest by Esit Eket.

##Historical Background
Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area was formed in September 1991, having been separated from the Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It comprises six of the nine clans (Afaha) belonging to the Oron ethnic group.

Oruko served as the commercial center of the Oron people, hosting a large market called Urue Oruko during the 19th century. This market attracted traders from groups such as the Hausa, Ilaje, and Igbo. In the late 1890s, a tragic incident occurred when a massive ancestral tree fell, causing a stampede that resulted in nearly sixty deaths. Furthermore, during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s, hundreds of Oron people—predominantly traders and women—were killed in Urue Oruko. This event is regarded as one of the most sorrowful tragedies within the Oron community during the war.

##Clans and Communities
The Afaha Ubodung clan, the largest clan and now referred to as the Mbodung District, contains twenty-one villages and towns, including:

Abiak Elibi

Anai Okpo

Edok

Eyetong

Eyo Eyekip

Eyo Okwong

Eyo Ufuo

Eyo Uwesong

Eyo Uya

Eyobiasang

Eyokpifie

Eyulor

Oduonim Isong Inyang

Oduonim Oro

Okossi

Ubodung

Udung Eta

Udung Okpor

Udung Uwe

Ukuda

Urue Offong Town


The Afaha Ukwong clan, also known as the Ukwong district, is the second largest and comprises five settlements:

Ibetong-Eweme

Ikpe

Mbukpo-Eyo-Ima

Mbukpo-Eyakan

Mbukpo-Uko-Akai


The Afaha Ibighi clan (Ibighi district) includes four communities:

Okuku Township

Oyuku Ibighi

Uya Oron

Eyubia (also spelled Oyubia)


The Afaha Okuiso clan (Okuiso district) contains two villages:

Atte Oro

Umume


The Afaha Ebughu clan (Ebughu district) includes:

Elei

Ibetong Nsie


The Afaha Okpo clan (Afaha district) has two towns:

Afaha Okpo Town

Uboro Oro


##Natural Resources and Occupations
The inhabitants primarily engage in fishing, trading, and farming. Rich in seafood, palm oil, and agricultural produce, the area also holds significant crude oil deposits. It boasts numerous oil wells, ranking among the highest in crude oil resources within the Oro nation, alongside Mbo, Okobo, Oron, and Udung Uko. The sister Local Government Areas hold 92, 86, 66, and 39 oil wells respectively, with ongoing exploration notably in Mbo. Additionally, the region is abundant in clay and other solid minerals such as gravel, fine stones, and silica sand.

##Governance and Leadership
Traditionally, each family in Urue-Offong/Oruko was led by a family head responsible for resolving familial disputes. This head represented their family in the village's traditional court. The village court then selected a Village Head, called an Offong, on a rotational basis to represent the village at the community level.

In modern times, the Urue-Offong people are united under a single monarch known as the Ahta Oro. The Ahta presides over a council that includes all Ofong (also Ivong or Ifong) afaha and paramount chiefs. The council also recognizes several high-ranking chiefs such as Ikpoto, Akpaha, and Okete Okete. The Oron Union’s President-General serves as the administrative leader of the Oron nation and acts as the deputy within the Ahta’s council.

##Notable Personalities

Sir (Ambassador) Etim Jack Okpoyo: The first Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, an engineer, entrepreneur, and politician.

Late Elder Bassey Jack (Unanaowi) Okpoyo: The first electrical engineer in Akwa Ibom and pioneer owner of a petrol station in the former Cross River State.

Late Comrade Edet Bassey Etienam MFR JP: A leading trade unionist, two-term legislator, and philanthropist.