Anioma Things to do, history and what's on
Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Issele-Uku, Kwale and the towns of Delta North.
About Anioma
Anioma is the name many people in Delta North use for their homeland: the towns and farmland west of the River Niger, from Agbor in the Ika area to Ogwashi-Uku and Issele-Uku in Aniocha, and Kwale in Ndokwa. Asaba, the state capital, is part of Anioma too, and has its own page.
Many Anioma kingdoms trace their royal lines to Benin, and local histories credit Cheime, who left Benin, with founding several towns, Issele-Uku among them. The region's languages, including Enuani, Ika and Ukwuani, are closely related to Igbo.
It is farming country, with yams, cassava and palm, and festival country too: the Iwaji new yam festival at Issele-Uku marks the start of a new year and is one of the biggest cultural gatherings in the state.
- Local government areas
- Nine: Aniocha North and South, Ika North East and South, Ndokwa East and West, Ukwuani, and Oshimili North and South (Asaba)
- Getting there
- Fly into Asaba International Airport. Agbor sits on the Benin-Asaba road
- Best time to visit
- November to March, the dry season
- Languages
- Enuani, Ika and Ukwuani, all related to Igbo, plus English and Pidgin
Places to visit in Anioma
-
Festivals and events
Issele-Uku
Headquarters of Aniocha North and home of the Iwaji new yam festival.
Aniocha North -
Culture and heritage
Ogwashi-Uku
Headquarters of Aniocha South, a kingdom with royal roots in Benin.
Aniocha South -
Culture and heritage
Photo coming soon
Agbor
The main town of the Ika people and seat of the Dein of Agbor, on the road between Benin and Asaba.
Ika South -
Nature and waterways
Animodua lake, Onicha-Olona
A quiet lake in the countryside of Aniocha North.
Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North -
Food and nightlife
Abavo Market
A busy country market in the Ika area, full of produce from the farms around it.
Abavo, Ika South
No places in this category yet. Know one we should add?
The story of Anioma
Kingdoms with roots in Benin, founding stories kept town by town, and a shared name usually translated as 'good land'.
Read the story of AniomaIdentity in Anioma is discussed and debated, and each town tells its own founding story. Where accounts differ, we say so and link to each.
What's on in Anioma
Organising something in Anioma? List your event
Invest in Anioma
Anioma is Delta's farm belt, with palm, cassava and yams, and an oil and gas presence around Kwale.
Talk to people who know Anioma.
Ask questions, find out what's on and buy and sell in the Discover Delta community on WhatsApp.
Been to Anioma? Share your photos.
Photos from visitors will appear here and on the places they show.
Share your storyGood to know
How do I get to Anioma?
Fly into Asaba International Airport, or drive in on the Benin-Asaba road, which runs through Agbor.
When is the best time to visit Anioma?
November to March, the dry season. Check local calendars for the Iwaji new yam festival.
What does Anioma mean?
It is usually translated as 'good land', and it is the name many people in Delta North use for their homeland.
