Isoko South is a local government area (LGA) in the Isoko region of Delta State, Nigeria. With its headquarters at Oleh, Nigeria, it is one of the two local governments that make up the Isoko region. The other is Isoko North, which has its headquarters at Ozoro.
History
The Isoko people migrated historically from the Benin Kingdom in nearby Edo State, and therefore share some cultural similarities with this state. The area later formed part of Bendel State, before Bendel State was split to form Edo and Delta states.
The Isoko South and North Local Government Area was established on 23 September 1991, when the former Isoko Local Government Area was subdivided. The area produces a large component of the oil and gas resources of Delta State.
Geography
The Isoko South Local Government Area covers a low-lying section of the larger Niger Delta Basin, interspersed with streams, canals and rivers. It is located in a region of deciduous and evergreen forests, with patches of mangrove forest, as well as a forest reserve along the Aviara clan area.
Demographics
The local population are primarily of the Isoko people. There are eleven communities in Isoko South, and each of them are subdivided into several clans. Communities inhabiting Isoko South include the Aviara, Olomoro, Emede, Enhwe, Erowha, Igbide, Irri, Okpolo, Oleh, Delta, Umeh and Uzere. The Isoko language is predominant in much of the area.
The traditional occupation of the people of Isoko South is fishing and agriculture. Current population centres include Oleh town – the seat of the Isoko South government – as well as the Olomoro urban community.
Names of monarchs and their titles in Isoko South
The different communities in Isoko South Local Government Area are being governed by a monarch constituted by the Delta State government. Their names and titles are as follow:
- H.R.M. Ewhiri II,
The Ovie of Emede Kingdom
Monarch governing Emede Community. - H.R.M. Udogri I (JP),
The Ovie of Uzere Kingdom.
Monarch governing Uzere Kingdom. - H.R.M. Obukeni I (JP),
The Ovie of Igbide Kingdom,
Monarch governing Igbide Community. - H.R.M. Ambrose O. Owhe (JP),
The Odio-ologbo of Umeh Kingdom.
Monarch governing Umeh Community. - H.R.M. Ovrawah A. Omogha 1 (JP) FCAI,
The Odio-ologbo of Community.
Monarch governing Oleh Community. - H.R.M. Samuel Otidi,
The Odio-ologbo of Okpolo Kingdom.
Monarch governing Okpolo Community. - H.R.M. Harry Emaviwe,
The Ovie of Aviara Kingdom.
Monarch governing Aviara Community. - H.R.M. Anthony O. Efekodha (MNSE, FMHR),
Ejuzi II, The Ovie of Enwhe Kingdom.
Monarch governing Enwhe Community. - H.R.M. Kenneth Onomeregwae,
The Odio-ologbo of Erowha Kingdom.
Monarch governing Erowha Community. - H.R.M. Josiah Umukoro,
Aghaza 1, The Odio-ologbo of Olomoro Kingdom.
Monarch governing Olomoro Community. - H.R.M. Joshua Aghagba,
The Odio-ologbo of Irri Kingdom.
Monarch governing Irri Community.