Illah

Geographically Illah is a town in Delta State, Nigeria on the west bank of the River Niger, a few miles north of a straight line from Benin City to Enugu. It is located at 201 meters above the sea level. Historically, illah was originally formed by five major villages, who became subject to intimidation by people across the river Niger until a messiah from the descendant of Benin kingdom called Idaiken rescued them. This man was allowed citizenship as an honour for his bravery and he became the founder of the sixth village. Through the course immigration, illah is today made up of nine villages, each village is headed by the eldest male known as 'diokpa'.A village is further divided into a number of quarters. Politically, illah is governed by council of elders consisting of the head of the nine villages and a number of Obis headed by the 'Ogbelani'.The system of governance is not monarchical, you have to be assigned by the ancestors to become the ogbelani, but this has been adulterated making it possible for any wishing individual to attain the leadership. This has not only damaged the valued substance of ogbelani but also adversely affected the good governance of the town. Economically, illah is blessed with natural resources ranging from fertile land and fishing opportunities to the micro oil discovery at Ajaji village in the 80's. About 98% of the population are farmers adjoining other peasant activities. The town has a resourceful market situated at Umutei village called 'otu umutei'.This market attracts all saundary of neighbouring states to Delta state, and in the recent years, the market has remained a centre of controversy seeming a major source of wealth for growing youth and the local council.