# Olukumi people

The Olukumi are an ancient Yoruba subgroup indigenous to the Aniocha North area of the Delta State, Nigeria. They originate from Yoruba people and settled in this area long ago. They trace their ancestry to Owo and Akure. The Olukumi occupy eight communities west of the Niger River, and are together known today as the Odiani Clan in Aniomaland. Ukwu Nzu town is the historical headquarters of the Olukumi people and is traditionally headed by the Obi of Ukwu Nzu, Agbogidi. The present Obi is H.R.M. Obi Ogoh 1. Olukumi villages select leaders through the Okpala Obi system, which is the Okpala (gerontocracy).

## Geography

The Olukumi are native to an area just west of the Niger River's right bank. The area is rich in chalk and kaolin deposits, which is known as "efun" in Yoruba, and has been traditionally mined and used by the people of the area for various cultural purposes.

## Etymology

The word Olukumi means "My confidant" or "My friend" in Yoruba Language.

## History

According to Odiani oral tradition, the Olukwumi are a blend of aboriginal people from multiple areas in Yoruba land, and few slaves and traders from the Ibo country.
According to a report in the Sunday Tribune of October 24, 2010, they have also started to organize recitation and oratory quizzes and competitions in Olukumi to preserve the dialect. Linguists are also documenting the language. For 40 years, Chief G. B. Nkemnacho, a lawyer of Olukumi origin, has documented his people's history as told by its elders as life experiences and oral tradition.

## Olukumi towns and communities

| s/n | Town | Origins | Comment(s) |
| 1 | Ukwu Nzu | and Owo is said to be the political head of the Odiani clan of the Olukumi. |
| 2 | Ugbodu | Traditional centre of Olukwumi people. |
| 3 | Ubulubu | People from Ugbodu and Ukwu Nzu | A relatively late Olukumi town said to have been founded by some Ugbodu people later joined by others from Ukwu Nzu. |
| 4 | Idumu Ogo | | |
| 5 | Ugboba (Ugbo Oba) | | |
| 6 | Ogodor | | |
| 7 | Ogbe Onei (Obomkpa) | | |
| 8 | Anioma village | | |

## Non-Olukumi villages with Olukumi ancestry

| s/n | Town | Origins | Comment(s) |
| 9 | Onichaku (Ubulu Uku) | |
| 10 | Ogbekenu quarters/villages of Onicha-Ugbo | |

## Notable Olukumi people

* HRH Sir John Ofulue 1894-1999 paramount head of the Olukumi kingdom, and UKU Clan. Born to the great Royal family of Ofulue in the EBOR lineage of Ogbeobi Royal Family. His father HRM Ofulue and Mother Anyasi Ofulue (née Onitshabor). HRH John Ofulue married Beatrice Ofulue (née Mokwunye). In 1944, John Ofulue joined others from West African States to go to Burma, India for the 2nd world war. He returned to Nigeria in 1946 and started the popular John Charter Transport Company. He was a reverred leader of the Olukumi kingdom, and his death at 105yrs (1999) was widely celebrated due to his business successes and philanthropy.
* Prince Joseph Akabudike Ochei, BSc, LLB, LLM, (1931-2022). A renowned Lawyer, economist, historian, archivist, diplomat, called to the Bar at Grays Inn of Court London, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Author of the acclaimed book: 'Nigeria: The Road to Absolutism, Observations on the Executive Presidency in the Draft Constitution', 1977. His books and various seminal works published internationally and translated in fifteen (15) languages including, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Mandarin, with electronic and print copies available in global research and public libraries in Oxford University, Cambridge University, British Library (UK), Yale University, Stanford University, Library of Congress Washington USA, and the University of Sydney Australia. Prince Akabudike Ochei is the youngest son of the ruling monarch Obi Ochei and his wife Nwasoma Ochei (née Ofulue) at the Royal Palace in Ugbodu. Nwasoma is the sister to HRH John Ofulue. The Ochei, Eboh and Ofulue royal ancestry can be traced across centuries from African Royal Dynasties.
* Prof. (Dr.) (Engr.) Joseph Ndidi Ofulue, FNSE, FIOD, COREN, FNIM,. First Nigerian Professor of Telecommunications and Satellite Communications from Ugbodu), worked at Post & Telecom (P&T) from 1963, NET, Nitel (Nigerian Telecommunications Plc), INTELSAT in Washington D.C. 1980s, http://www.itso.int http://www.intelsat.com, he held positions as HOD and Dean at various Nigerian Universities. PhD Brunel University London. MPhil Dresden University, East Germany. B.Eng. (ITU-Bacculearate) He served Nigeria amd rose meritocratically to GM Operations, GM Planning & Operations, GM Planning & Research, GM Research & Development, GM Abuja, and briefly as the acting MD of Nitel during the transition of the IBB regime to Chief Ernest Shonekan to Gen. Sani Abacha. Prof. (Prince) Joseph N. Ofulue is the first son of HRH John Ofulue. The Prof, as he his fondly called is an avid tennis player and the author of several technical books, research publications, and publications in satellite communications, Infotel and Informatics, and electronic engineering.
* Nduka Ugbade - (Former Nigerian football star and coach)
* Helen Anyamelune - (1958 Miss Nigeria)