FAMILY HISTORY AND EARLY DAYS

Chief Jibrin Ogbaje (5th April 1905 – 22 November 1999) was born in the Northern
town of Ankpa, then in Benue State, Nigeria. Jibrin’s background can be traced
into the ruling houses of Attah Igala as well as that of Ankpa. He later moved from
his relations at Ankpa to Odogomu in other to have personal liberty and greener
pastures to cultivate and fend for his family. He was a good farmer as well as a
skilled hunter. He married two sisters of the same parents from Ojoku, Bagele.
They were Ogodo and Ebigbo, daughters of Ujah Uboko. They gave birth to four
children for him as follows:
OGODO EBIGBO

1. Ogbe 3. Agada
2. Okodo 4. Onoja

This means that the mother’s place of Ogbe and his brothers is Ojoku Bagele.

Jibrin decided to go back to Ankpa, his father’s place in order to join his kirth and
kins, but his two wives objected saying that they would not be happy to see their
children being carried away. They would like to have their children to remain to
perform “Ichogba” a kind of family sacrifice for them.

Since Jibrin was from a royal family at Ankpa, the wives said that they would in
the alternative give his children a Chieftaincy title known as “Onu Odogomu”, so
they requested their father Ujah Oboko to recognize their sons as Chiefs. He gave
the beads to Ogbe , the first son thereby crowning him formally as the first Chief of
Odogomu. This therefore explains the fact that the kingship in Odogomu Efofe
originated from their mother’s place at Ojoku Bagele.

After the death of Ogbe and his brothers, their grandchildren have ruled in
Odogomu as follows:

1. Ogbe 5. Ame-ohiga 9. Imo

2. Agada 6. Ukwenya (Jibrin Jr) 10. Adejo Iliaboje
3. Okodo 7. Oche-Apata 11. Ibrama
4. Onoja 8. Anawo-Odo 12. Audu Aba (1969) to date

So far, twelve descendants of Jibrin have ruled in Odogomu including the

incumbent Audu Abah who came to the throne in 1969 to date. Odogomu Efofe
area also includes Enokpoli and Ogane – small sections of this community that
moved to settle in Ofano area.

THE ETIMOLOGY OF THE NAME “ODOGOMU” AND THE GREETING

“BADE”

When leaving Ankpa, Jibrin did so with Ekele Onugbaje, his brother behind at
Ogo-aji and continued to Odogomu. There he settled near a stream called
“Agbaha”. At Odogomu, he was sure of having plenty to eat and enjoy. He put it
thus, “Na gwemi kunaje kunamu” meaning “I will stay here in other to eat and
drink. This therefore is how the name “Odogomu eje” literally meaning,
“Habitation of eating” came to be.

When Jibrin was leaving his brother Ekele Onugbaje at Ogo-aji for his own
settlement at Odogomu, he told his brother to be at alert for aid should he be
attacked in the new settlement.

Ekele Onugbaje in turn told him (Jibrin) that he should come down to Ogo-aji for
support should he (Ekele Onugbaje) be attacked there. This is the historical
explanation behind the common saying”ewo gbo rewo Odogomu gbo ro Ogo-aji”,
meaning that the brother at Odogomu was willing to help his brother at Ogo-aji
and vice-versa. Also involved in the movement from Ankpa was Idoko Efu, half
brother of Jibrin, that is the same father only. Idoko Efu settled at Odogomu Eteke
near a stream called “Atiltiliku”. He is the ancestor of the people of Odogomu
Eteke.

The mother’s place of the two wives of Jibrin was “Ugboju in Idoma Land”. The
chiefs of Ugboju are greeted “Bade”. So, the compliment was borrowed from
Ugboju to Odogomu for application to their sons who became chiefs of the latter.
This explains the reason why chiefs in Odogomu Efofe are greeted as “Bade”.

In order to immortalize the name of Ogodo (the first wife of Jibrin), any female
person of Odogomu is greeted as “Ogodo”.