Ekpoma is a town in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the administrative headquarters of the Esan West Local Government Area. Ekpoma lies on the geographical coordinate of latitude 6°45′N 6°08′E / 6.750°N 6.133°E / 6.750; 6.133. The town has an official Post Office, and it is home to the Ambrose Alli University.[1][2] Currently Ekpoma town is developing with major infrastructures, hospitals, schools, modern eateries and roads. The town is also secured.

Ekpoma
Town
Ekpoma is located in Nigeria
Ekpoma
Ekpoma
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°45′N 6°08′E / 6.750°N 6.133°E / 6.750; 6.133
CountryNigeria
StateEdo
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
Area code055
ClimateAw

Population

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It has a population of over 290,000 people. It has an adult male population of over 90,000 and adult female population of over 80,000. It is politically divided into 10 wards and occupies a land mass of 502 km2 (194 sq mi).[3] Ekpoma along with Uromi are the prime towns of the Esan people. It has become a congregating center for years, the Esan people from other towns have consistently taken residence in Ekpoma and Uromi. Ambrose Alli University is located in Ekpoma.

Climate Condition

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The Raining season in Ekpoma is oppressive and over most year. the temperature varies from 63 degrees to 87 degrees.[4]

People

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The people are mainly of Esan tribe, and are predominantly academic and non-academic staffs of Ambrose Alli University, owners of small scale medium enterprises (SME's), subsistence farmers and others which include civil service, trading, transportation and students of Ambrose Alli University. The people of Ekpoma are said to have originated from Benin, their language[5] is similar to that of Benin dialect except for some differences in the form of words and also their intonation or pronunciation may be a little different.[6]

The head of the town is known as or called the Onojie. This position is hereditary in which a son succeeds his father. The Onojie palace is in an environment named Eguare. The village council comprises ohe Edition, also known as the Elders, led by most Eldest in the community known as the Odionwele. The Edion are responsible for trying cases and settle disputes in the community. Messages or Information are passed from the Onojie through the Okhaimon to the Odionwele who will call a meeting of elders in order to discuss rising matters.[7]

Language and Origin

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The people of Ekpoma speak the Esan language, which is similar to the Benin dialect,[8] with some differences in word form and intonation. According to history, the people of Benin originated from Esan

Demographics

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Health

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The community enjoys a blend of traditional and orthodox medicine, with the presence of two general hospitals, some privately owned hospitals, and Government-owned health centers, and is also closely linked with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, where a lot of inhabitants visit to receive health care. Traditional bonesetters, traditional birth attendants, and herbal healers are also fairly distributed around the town setting. The caliber of staff commonly found at the health centers includes community health extension workers, nurses, auxiliary nurses and doctors. Services offered at these centers include health education, immunization, family planning counselling, treatment of minor ailments and first aid, referrals, and anti-natal.

References

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  1. ^ "Edo University, AAU Shuns Ongoing Lecturers, ASUU's Strike, Fixes May 26 For Resumption | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  2. ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  3. ^ Okun, R., Okosun, M. (1990). An Overview of the Esan West Local Government. The journal for geographical placement for Ekpoma community. 15(4), 259-265
  4. ^ "Ekpoma Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  5. ^ "THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE ON URBAN TRANSPORTATION: A CASE STUDY OF EKPOMA AND ENVIRONS, ESAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE". CodeMint. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  6. ^ "(PDF) Intra-group relations among Ekpoma Group of Villages, Edo State, Nigeria in the Pre-Colonial Era: A Historical Perspective". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  7. ^ "(PDF) Succession Under Customary Law in Nigeria. The Rule of Primogeniture versus the Deposition of a Traditional Ruler (Onojie) in Edo State: A critique of the Provisions of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edicts No 16 of 1979". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  8. ^ Bradbury, R. E. (2017-02-03). "The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking Peoples of South-Western Nigeria". doi:10.4324/9781315293851. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)