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Auchi is a city in Edo State, Nigeria.[1]
Auchi | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Auchi Town overhead the Arafat Mosque | |
  Auchi Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 7°04′N 6°16′E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Edo State |
| Population (150,000) | |
• Total | 150,000 |
| 2006 census | |
Auchi,[2] a part of Etsako West Local Government Area[3] of Edo State, serves as the Local Government headquarters. Other towns in the Etsako West local government area include: Uzairue, South Ibie, Agbede and The Anwain Clan. During the British colonial rule, Auchi was the headquarters of the Kukuruku Division,[4][5] it serves as the administrative headquarters of five districts which was also referred to as quarters and they are Utsogu, Akpekpe, Aibotse, Igbhei and lyekhei.[6] It is the home of Auchi Polytechnic.[7]
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There are varied historical accounts relating to the origins of the Auchi people. The most popular of these legends asserts that a mass migration from Udo in present-day Benin City led by a man called Uchi accompanied by his family, and followers headed north and finally settled for the relative calm of the Guinea Savannah belt known today as Etsako[8] land. This migration is believed to have taken place in the mid-15th century, during the reign of Oba Ewuare of the Benin Kingdom.[9] This period in the Benin empire was characterised by constant wars and incessant strife.[9]
Language
The language spoken by the Auchi people is 'Yekhè' or Etsako amongst the Afenmai language. It is an Edoid language dialect or variant.[10]
Geography
Auchi town is divided into five grand quarters which could also be referred to as districts; these are in turn made up of 25 villages.
The five grand quarters are:
- UTSOGUN
- AKPEKPE
- AIBOTSE
- IGBHEI
- IYEKHEI
- In recent times, 24 extra villages have been created
Culture and traditions
Auchi Kingdom is headed by a monarchy and the traditional ruler is referred to as the Otaru of Auchi. The 8 January is designated as Auchi Day. This commemorative day was previously called Uchi Day.[11]
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Auchi has been a major Islamic town.[12] Oba Momodu was the first person to embraced Islam in the area, and also the dynamic king of the kingdom and passed on 1944, Auchi followed quickly in the wake of his action. The people live peacefully. The welcoming and hospitable nature of the Auchi people has to a very large extent contributed to the cultural and religious diversity of the town.[13]
The population grew to 42,638 by 1952, including people from many Nigerian tribes.[14] As of 1995, its population was 140,612. As of 2005–2006, currently, the population is about 150,000 persons. In 2019, Auchi was regarded amongst the fastest growing urban area in Edo State, Nigeria.[15]
- Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh (Ikelebe III) 10th Otaru of Auchi (1996 -)[16][17]
- Alhaji Ahmed Guruza Momoh, the 9th Otaru of Auchi (1973 - 1996)[18]
- Abubakar Keremi Momoh, The 8th Otaru of Auchi (1955 - 1970)[19]
- King Momoh Jimah Momoh, the 7th Otaru of Auchi (1945 - 1955)[20]
- King Momoh Idaeo, the 6th Otaru of Auchi (1919 - 1944)[20]
- King Ikharo Ikelebe, the 5th Otaru of Auchi (1905 - 1919)[21][22]
- Odifili, the 4th Otaru of Auchi (1905)[23]
- Idaeo Ikelebe, the 3rd Otaru of Auchi (1884 - 1905)[24]
- Imoudu Iburogamhe, the 2nd Otaru of Auchi (1872-1884)[25]
- Ikelebe the first, 1st Otaru of Auchi (1819 - 1861)[25][26]
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- Kamaru Usman, former UFC Welterweight Champion[27]
- John Momoh, media personality
- Tony Momoh, politician
- Johnson Suleman, pastor
- Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, Lawyer & the first Senior Advocate
Auchi is home to:
- Auchi Polytechnic[28]
- Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering [citation needed][29]
- Edo Fertilizer Milling Plant (commenced operation in June 2017)[30]
The climate at Auchi, which has an elevation of 0 meters (None feet) above sea level, is tropical wet and dry or savanna (Aw classification). The district's average annual temperature is -0.74% lower than Nigeria's averages at 28.72 °C (83.7 °F). 183.14 millimeters (7.21 inches) of precipitation and 265.4 rainy days (72.71% of the time) are typical yearly totals for Auchi.[31]
Some parts of Auchi have been seriously devastated due to soil erosion. The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), assisted by the World Bank, are now tackling the menace and are making fast progress.[32][33]
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