When was otukpo ceeated

Otukpo local government area came into existence in 1923, with its headquarters at Otukpo. It then comprised twenty-two (22) districts, and was known as Idoma Native Authority. However, with the local government reform of 1976 and subsequent local government creation exercises, the present Otukpo local government now has thirteen (13) council wards. It has a landmass of 390 sq. km. And a population of 190,457 (1991 census). Otukpo which is centrally located between the Tiv, in Benue state and the Igala area of Kogi state, is bounded in the North by Apa and Ohimini local government areas in the Southeast, Ado local government in the South and Olamaboro local government area in Kogi state in the West. The main topographical feature of the local government area is the plain land, stretching from Allen ward in the South to Adoka-Icho ward in the North. There are a handful of hills located at various places in the local government area while Adoka Ehaje, Icho and Entekpa wards have fadema soil.

The people are predominantly peasant farmers, growing various types of food crops. The people of Adoka and Ogboju are known for commercial farming especially in rice and yam production. Other agricultural items grown in the local government area include guinea corn, cassava, maize, soybeans, millet, pepper, beniseed etc. In fact Otukpo local government is calling on investors to make use of the privilege to establish agro-based industries in the area. Although the economy of the local government area is heavily dependent on agriculture, a few people engage in petty trading and other commercial activities.

At the moment, Otukpo local government area has three functional commercial banks operating in the area. These are the First Bank, Peoples Bank and Federal Mortgage Bank. Also communities in Otukpo local government have four community Banks in the area. These are Adoka, Ogboju, Oyagede community Bank, Ugboju Community Bank, Otukpo Community Bank and Idoma Community Bank respectively. The presence of these banks has undoubtedly created savings awareness amongst the people of the local government area and provides a sources of security for investments. The Benue State government sited one of her industries – Burnt Bricks Limited at Otukpo.

The industry undertakes the production of clay brick material to meet the building needs of prospective builders.

The Ochoyama Sawmill industry located in Otukpo town makes use of the abundant forest resources in the local government area, especially timber to produce wood of different sizes. It is interesting to note that the local government area is rich, with thick forest scattered all over the districts. It is hoped that individuals who want to go into the sawmill business would make use of the abundant resources to establish their business in Otukpo local government area. The presence of these small scale industries notwithstanding, there is still room for adequate raw materials sources for new investment, including mineral based investments, particularly kaolin, which has large deposits in Otobi and Ogboju areas of the local government. There exists solid infrastructural base e.g. Electricity, pipe-borne water, trunk ‘A’ road, good telecommunication facilities, hotels etc. to support such investments.