Otukpa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Otukpa | |
|---|---|
| Nickname: O.T Town | |
  Otukpa Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 7°43′50″N 8°32′10″E / 7.73056°N 8.53611°E | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Benue State |
| Climate | Aw |
Otukpa is a town in Benue State, Nigeria. It contains the headquarters of the Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
Otuba means to gather together. The name Otukpa is a symbol of Unity, Defence and Friendship.
Otukpa Language is an Idomoid language of Nigeria. It is considered a dialect of Idoma.
Three men; Oono, Oodo Ogodo and Ameh Ochagbaha coming from diverse directions in search of fortunes converged at a spot popularly known today as Oto. The men entered into a pact to stay together and forge their fortunes forward collectively. They decided on a suitable name for the area known today as OTUKPA. The original name 'Otuba' which means "to gather or together” points to significant elements of unity among them.
The name Otukpa is a symbol of Unity, Defence and Friendship. Otu-le-kpa, ugboga bo glan (Prof. Abimaje Akpa)[citation needed]
Anthony Inedu Ijika Akoto in his book titled The Making of Otukpa Land has the following to say about the name Otupka; "While writing on the etymology of the name “Otukpa” the works of Captain G.D.C. Money plays a pivotal edifying role. According to Money, Otukpa was formed from two Idoma words: ‘Oto’ a name of a village in the then settlement and ‘Ukpa” a sacred plant believed to contain medicinal properties and healing powers. It was in the mist of the plants ‘Ukpa’ in a village called ‘Oto’ that the elders of the three clans Ai-Oono, Ai-Oodo and Ai-Ochagbaha had a convent and pact of love, friendship and defence. Oto and Ukpa became so symbolic among the people, hence the name ”Oto Ukpa” was combined to form OTUKPA." That is how the name 'Otupka' came into being.
Meanwhile, Otukpa people are known to be friendly with a very rich cultural heritage.
