Auchi

Language

The language spoken by the Auchi people is Afenmai (Afemai) (Yekhee). It is an Edoid Language dialect or variant although the language is commonly referred to by the same name as which the people are also referred to: Auchi.

History

There are a varied historical accounts relating to the origins of the Auchi people, for all intents and purposes 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 land.

This migration is believed to have taken place in the mid-15th century, during the reign of Oba Ewuare of the Benin Kingdom.

This period in the Benin empire was characterised by constant wars and incessant strife.

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:

Religion

Auchi historically is an Islamic enclave, and still has a predominantly larger population of Muslims than Christians. Since the early 1990s there has been a rush of Christian churches setting up base in Auchi and the surrounding towns, this has pushed the religious composition within the community to a 70% Muslim and 30% Christian mix. The very welcoming and hospitable nature of the Auchi people has to a very large degree contributed to the cultural and religious diversity in Auchi.

Population

The population grew to 42,638 by 1952, including people from many Nigerian tribes.

As of 1995, its population was 140,612. And as of 2005–2006, the population is 152,652.

Auchi has for the past 5 years been amongst the fastest growing cities in Nigeria.^{[citation needed]}

Culture and traditions

Auchi Kingdom is headed by a monarchy and the traditional ruler is referred to as The Otaru of Auchi.

The 8th of January is designated as AUCHI DAY. This commemorative day was previously termed UCHI DAY but was renamed due to historical fettish practices linked to UCHI Day.

List of Otaru's (traditional Kings)

His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh (Ikelebe III) 10th & present Otaru of Auchi

HRH Alhaji A Guruza Momoh, the 9th Otaru of Auchi (1973 - 1996)

HRH Abubakar K Momoh, The 8th Otaru of Auchi (1955 - 1970)

HRH Mallam Momoh Jimah Momoh, the 7th Otaru of Auchi (1945 - 1955)

HRH King Momoh Idao, the 6th Otaru of Auchi (1919 - 1944)

HRH Ikharo Ikelebe, the 5th Otaru of Auchi (1905 - 1919)

Odifili, the 4th Otaru of Auchi (1905)

Idao Ikelebe, the 3rd Otaru of Auchi (1884 - 1905)

Imoudu Iburogamhe, the 2nd Otaru of Auchi (1872-1884)^{[citation needed]}

Ikelebe the first, 1st Otaru of Auchi (1851 - 1872)^{[citation needed]}

Institutions and Infrastructure

Auchi is home to the Federal Polytechnic Auchi

Nigerian Army School of mechanical and Electrical Engineers

Federal fertilizer milling plant

Zenith Bank

UBA bank

GTB

Access Bank

Eco Bank

First Bank

Fidelity Bank

Union Bank

Skye Bank

Unity Bank

Uchi Micro finance Bank

Erosion in Auchi

Some parts of Auchi have been seriously devastated due to soil erosion. The federal Government of Nigeria assisted by the world bank is now tackling the menace and are making fast progress.