A BRIEF HISTORY OF ADOKA

 

The district is bordered by Ugboju, Ankpa, Apa and Gwer L.Gs. The name was derived from Adoka, father of Okalekwo, the progenitor.
Okalekwo was born into a thundering night at Apa(Kwararafa) and was nicknamed Akpabana. He left the region with his family following the invasion by Kanem-Bornu horsemen heralded by black monkeys(that's why Adoka don't eat black monkeys). He settled at Abinsi where he died leaving three sons Enyikwola, Adoka and Ode. Ode was taken to Ekle by his mother and Adoka was killed during a hunt. Enyikwola killed all those who killed his brother and was sentenced to death by the Abiseku of Abinsi for killing 3 in place of 1 but an old woman gave him a talisman with which he escaped in a whirl wind, the celebrated Ogbonoko in Adoka Ejalekwu to this day. Enyikwola then left with his family and that of his deceased brother to present day Adoka and then went to Ekle to find Ode. Although some have said that the Ogbonoko incidence happened at Ekle because Enyikwola either witnessed their forbidden festival or Ode was the only black smith they had. Yet others contended that it was Adoka who went to Ekle. All agreed that the name of the woman who help him was Ooga, the traditional greeting of Adoka women to this day.
Soon after settlement, another Apa migrant called Achema entered Adoka and was accommodated by Enyikwola who gave him his daughter Eninya. They formed Iga-Okpaya.
Generations later, the descendants of the 3 brothers(clans)called a great Ojila which selected Ogbeyi (Ogo-agbano) as their chief and sent him to Idah for beading but the Attah beaded his cousin(Oglagwu) instead claiming Ogagbano was too ugly to be King. On their way back to Adoka, Ogagbano wrested the beads(oka) from the wrist of Oglagwu at sword point and captured the royal escort's leader, Abloda. He became the first Alegwu of Adoka while he made Abloda and his descendants the King makers, they formed Ojakpama in Adoka today. When Ogagbano and his regent(successor) son, Enejo died, a chieftaincy crisis began among his children and grand children leaving the major contenders dead. The vacuum brought Aba-Okwubi, the Oche-Uta(vigilante head) to power but he never wore the royal beads. The crisis also made Ai-Enyikwola to install their own separate Oche-Agunda(beadless chiefs). It was during this period of that the Fulani Jihad reached Adoka.
Iduh was beaded afterward as Alegwu when the colonial masters stepped their foot on Adoka soil. The war between British and Adoka left half of Adoka burnt down. After the pacification, the British preferred to work with Ameh Epeh, the Oche-Uta, for their indirect rule but the relationship grew sour over heavy taxes. Ameh Epeh vanished into river Benue and the next Oche-Utah, Okwori Ogodo-Mekwo took the role of Alegwu when Iduh died. At this point, the Ai-Ode and Ai-Enyikwola/Ai-Adoka were involved in chieftaincy tussle and Okwori beaded himself. He was chased out of Adoka and Eche of Ai-Enyikwola was beaded as the Alegwu of a united Adoka while Oko of Ai-Ode became his Alapa. Adoka district was created which included Umogidi, a previously independent kingdom. Eche became a member of "Ojila k'Ai-Oche, the foundation of Idoma native authority and a united Idoma Kingdom. His Alapa Oko gave his Alapaship to his son, Ogiri Oko who succeeded Eche as the 6th Alegwu and ultimately the first Ochidoma. However, his Alapa Egiri Oko was not made Alegwu but his brother Achegbulu Oko acted as district head. When Ogiri Oko "went hunting" a succession crisis ensued that culminated in the banishment of Achegbulu and Egiri. When they returned to Adoka, Egiri died shortly. A descendant of Oglagwu, Alu Ode was then beaded the next Alegwu. This period also coincided with vigorous missionary activities in the district.
Adoka has rich culture including the Anyaka dance, Odumu, Oglinye and different masqurades. The annual Ejalekwu festival is still celebrated annually. Adoka has developed greatly with schools, churches, mosques, hotels and recreational centres, market, many institutions including a private polytechnic. The present Alegwu of Adoka is Chief Samuel Onuh
Many notable Idoma people are of Adoka origin

Ref: Eigege Ejika. Legacy of the Eagle; Adoka Chieftaincy history