Onicha Olona

Onicha-Olona
Onicha-Olona
Coordinates: 6°22′16.26″N 6°33′59.86″E Ogbe-Obi6°22′39.08″N 6°33′46.60″E Ugbe Royal Qtrs6°22′40.58″N 6°33′53.08″E
Country	Nigeria
State	Delta State
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)

Onicha Olona town is a community in Aniocha North local government area of Delta State, Nigeria. ..Made up of six quarters namely; OgbeObi, Umuolo, Ishiekpe, Idumuje, Ogbekenu, and Agba. Going by the Federal ward structure, it is a political ward (Ward 4) in Aniocha-North LGA but by the State ward structure, it is made up of 2 wards.

It operates a kingship system of governance wherein the Obi is the traditional ruler. The current Obi of Onicha-Olona is HRM Obi Christopher Uzumefune Diji. The Obi is assisted by the Obi-in-Council comprising titled chiefs of the community to administer the town.

It is a semi-urban community located about 35km northwest of the Delta State capital, Asaba, and approximately 13km North of Issele-Uku town, the headquarters of Aniocha-North LGA.

It has a total population of about 17,326 from the 2006 projected census. Children Under five years constitute 7.5% of the total population while Women of Child-Bearing Age make up 15% of the population and pregnant women 5%. The main occupation of the people is farming, while some people are artisans, others are engaged in trading and civil service.

It belongs historically to the Ezechime clan which is reputed to have a common ancestral origin.

Whilst a version of oral tradition claims that the Ezechime clan may have originated from Benin in Edo state sometime in the 15th or 16th century, linguistics suggest a rather close tie to the Igbo tribe from across the Niger.

Onicha Olona is predominantly a Christian community with the two main denominations - Catholic and Anglican having the lion’s share. The traditional religion though still freely practised, has lost most of its adherents to Christianity.

The community is agrarian with both the men and women engaging in full-time subsistence agricultural activities. Naturally, many women augment their means of livelihood with petty trading whilst a few engage in medium-to-large-scale commercial trading.

The town is situated on plain low land in the rain forest geographical belt with very rich lush green vegetation and a good moderate climate with appreciable sunshine. Onicha-Olona, being in the rain forest experiences two climatic seasons namely the rain season and the dry season which makes it a place where agriculture thrives. The climate is arguably quite conducive and human-friendly.

Notable indigenes

• Victor Ochei Former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly
• Benedict Peters, CEO Aiteo Oil and Gas Inc.
• Major Gen Nanny Ochei
• The Agwuibes

See also

• Anioma people
• Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC)
• Enuani dialect
• Ekumeku Movement