Egbe
Encyclopedia
Egbe Mekun which is popularly called ‘Egbe’ in brief is an historic town located in Yagba West
Local government Area of Kogi State
, Nigeria
, West Africa
.
and Kwara States. It is surrounded by some undulating and luxuriant hills of savannah vegetation which are visible as you move around the town; this explained why it is sometimes referred to as Jerusalem in Nigeria. The dialect spoken by these people is called Yagba, they have ancestry root linked to the Yorubas in Nigeria
as they speak Yoruba
. Their alphabet are similar to that of Yorubas. The town is known for its hospitality and the fact that it is located on the federal road axis, it serves as a central location to access other communities. It is one of the biggest towns found in Yagba land with long history of commercial activities; People come from far and near for trading purposes.
Egbe town is blessed with good and fertile land for agriculture activities. The crops that are grown in this area include: Yam
, Corn
, Sorghum
, Cocoa, Beans, Cassava
, Peanuts
(groundnuts) and Cotton
. Traditionally, they go into clothes woven which are used during wedding ceremony especially for the brides.
The characteristic of quiet and natural environment which is most conducive for learning is found around the town, No wonder in Egbe and indeed the entire region of Yagba in Kogi State
, it is hard to cover a 500 metres radius without coming across an educational institution. Again it is not surprising that some of the best brains in Nigeria
are products of educational institutions in this impressive region. Cassiterite, columbite and tantalite are some of the mineral resources found in Egbe.
Family unit is an integral part of this community, as marriage is encouraged within the younger populace by the elderly. The existence of extended family is still being practiced; where the younger ones care for the elderly by leaving together as a family unit. Respect for the elderly is of great importance to the younger ones and is being encouraged.
The presence of missionary activities in this town is dated back to the eighteen century when Rev. Tommy Titcombe (a British-born Canadian Missionary) and his wife a missionary with SIM (Sudan Interior Mission)(now Serving In Mission
) came to Egbe in 1908 amidst all odds of language barrier and Africa being referred to as the ‘Whiteman’s grave’ due to malarial caused by mosquito bite killing so many Missionaries, they came into the community, becoming the pioneer of Christianity in the area, they preached the gospel of Christ to the people of Egbe and Yagba inclusive and was able to start a hospital known today as ECWA Hospital Egbe
, the hospital happened to be one of the biggest, most popular and most successful Christian hospital in the present Kogi State
and Nigeria
at large. A college of excellence was also established called Titcombe College, named after the missionary and many churches were also planted.
Yagba West
Yagba West is a Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria, in the west of the state adjoining Kwara State. Its headquarters are in the town of Odo Ere.It has an area of 1,276 km² and a population of 149,023 at the 2006 census....
Local government Area of Kogi State
Kogi State
Kogi state is found in the central region of Nigeria. It is popularly called the Confluence State because the confluence of River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria....
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
.
History
This town is an ancient town bordering KogiKogi
Kogi or Cogui may be:*Kogi State, Nigeria*the Kogi people, Colombia**the Kogi language...
and Kwara States. It is surrounded by some undulating and luxuriant hills of savannah vegetation which are visible as you move around the town; this explained why it is sometimes referred to as Jerusalem in Nigeria. The dialect spoken by these people is called Yagba, they have ancestry root linked to the Yorubas in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
as they speak Yoruba
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
. Their alphabet are similar to that of Yorubas. The town is known for its hospitality and the fact that it is located on the federal road axis, it serves as a central location to access other communities. It is one of the biggest towns found in Yagba land with long history of commercial activities; People come from far and near for trading purposes.
Egbe town is blessed with good and fertile land for agriculture activities. The crops that are grown in this area include: Yam
Yam (vegetable)
Yam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea . These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania...
, Corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, Sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, Cocoa, Beans, Cassava
Cassava
Cassava , also called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates...
, Peanuts
Peanuts
Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
(groundnuts) and Cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
. Traditionally, they go into clothes woven which are used during wedding ceremony especially for the brides.
The characteristic of quiet and natural environment which is most conducive for learning is found around the town, No wonder in Egbe and indeed the entire region of Yagba in Kogi State
Kogi State
Kogi state is found in the central region of Nigeria. It is popularly called the Confluence State because the confluence of River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria....
, it is hard to cover a 500 metres radius without coming across an educational institution. Again it is not surprising that some of the best brains in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
are products of educational institutions in this impressive region. Cassiterite, columbite and tantalite are some of the mineral resources found in Egbe.
Family unit is an integral part of this community, as marriage is encouraged within the younger populace by the elderly. The existence of extended family is still being practiced; where the younger ones care for the elderly by leaving together as a family unit. Respect for the elderly is of great importance to the younger ones and is being encouraged.
The presence of missionary activities in this town is dated back to the eighteen century when Rev. Tommy Titcombe (a British-born Canadian Missionary) and his wife a missionary with SIM (Sudan Interior Mission)(now Serving In Mission
Serving In Mission
SIM is an international, interdenominational Christian mission organization. It was established in 1893 by its three founders, Walter Gowans and Rowland Bingham of Canada and Thomas Kent of the United States....
) came to Egbe in 1908 amidst all odds of language barrier and Africa being referred to as the ‘Whiteman’s grave’ due to malarial caused by mosquito bite killing so many Missionaries, they came into the community, becoming the pioneer of Christianity in the area, they preached the gospel of Christ to the people of Egbe and Yagba inclusive and was able to start a hospital known today as ECWA Hospital Egbe
ECWA Hospital Egbe
ECWA Hospital Egbe is a Christian hospital located in Egbe, Kogi State, Nigeria.It is a 121-bed hospital which became SIM's first training Hospital.- Foreword :There was missionary activity in Egbe so many years ago particularly through Rev...
, the hospital happened to be one of the biggest, most popular and most successful Christian hospital in the present Kogi State
Kogi State
Kogi state is found in the central region of Nigeria. It is popularly called the Confluence State because the confluence of River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria....
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
at large. A college of excellence was also established called Titcombe College, named after the missionary and many churches were also planted.