Igbide, An Igbo-Isoko Town

Igbide is a town situated in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

Origin From Mgbidi, Awka, Effurun

While some historians have it that the Igbide people originated from Mgbidi in Anambra State, Igboland, Nigeria, some more recent writers say the Igbide people originated from Awka, also in present day Anambra state with a blend of later immigrants from Uvwie (Effurun) in Delta State .

It is very possible the Igbide people originated from all three places.

Igbo Culture

The Igbo connection of the Igbide people can be observed in the dress and costume codes of the Igbides in festivals like ABAME, and the salutation sequence and chants as well as the mercantile nature of a typical Igbide man. (Remember the Igbos have been called the World’s largest business incubator.)

Owodokpokpo, a community in Igbide clan, is widely regarded as one of the main entry points of Christianity into Isokoland.

Igbide is also an oil producing community, and it hosts Shell’s Oroni oilfield.

References

Commentary

Igbide is an example of Igbo-Isoko cultural cooperation. It should be a source of cultural strength to both the Igbos and the Isokos.

There are many communities in the Niger Delta that have this kind of historic cooperation between Igbos and their neighbours.

Aroh, for instance, is a conglomerate of Igbos and Ibibios. Bonny and Opobo are conglomerations of Igbo and Ijaw culture. Same as Okrika, Obama, etc.

These should be a source of strength to both Igbos and neighbouring ethnic groups.