OLODIAMA IBE

OLODIAMA IBE CENTRAL AND WEST: The Olodiama are in present day Bayelsa and Edo States. The Olodiama Ibe took their name from Igbedigbolo alias Olodi or Olode, who was an elder son of Ujo left in the Benin region of Ujama. As soon as a settlement was established in the central delta, Olodi and family and others left the Benin region and moved to the Nun area of the central delta. Some dropped off on their way from Beni e.g. Ikoro, who founded the town of Ikoro near Benin city. At first all the ancestors lived may have lived at Ujo City at the same settlement before moving to the site of Oporoma. The children of Olodi later left to found their own settlement (Olodi-Ama). Olodiama was later abandoned and other settlements founded, these include Ikebiri (founded by Ike or Neiama the brother of Ikoro), Ondewari, Olugbobiri and Ikeingha. Later on Korokorosei was to be founded by ancestors from Kabo and descendants of Olodi. Some of the descendants of Olodi also went and founded Olodiama (Olodiamabiri) in Nembe, and Onyoma, also in Nembe.

The western Olodiama were as a result of migration of descendants of Olodi back to Ikoro founded by a son of Olodi when the family was emigrating from Ado (i.e. Benin). Pereziagha a descendant of Neiama or Ike, decided to pay a visit to Ikoro. On getting there he found out that it had been taken over by Efa (Edo) speaking people. He returned to the central delta and reported the matter to his relatives. Taking with them reinforcements, and together with his son Pereowi, Ogboinkoto, Atu of Ikebiri, Betidon and Kurokeaki, they subdued the Edo group and took back the village. This breech of the peace in the area was reported to the then King of Benin and Pereziagha was summoned to Benin The Oba of Benin invoking the ancestral traditions and the spirit of the ancestors settled with Pereziagha as a brother, and then they swore a peace accord, an Edo will not kill an Ijo and an Ijo will not kill an Edo.

The Olodiama were well established in the area since it is on record how Oba Orhogbua (1550-1578) on his way from a campaign in Lagos and Mahin, stopped at Ikoro to consult Egbesu and solicited the help of the Olodiama to put down a rebellion at Benin city.

The foundation of Ikoro is pre-14th century, but the establishment of the Olodiama west as a clan is post 14th century while that of Olodiama central is clearly prior to 14th century, between 900 – 1200 AD. Some of the towns founded by the western Olodiama include Ikusangha, Geleglegbene, Oboro and Inikorogha.