Historical Formation of OROKAM By Chief Ekpa Justin Ameh

#Orokam #History of Orokam #Idoma #Benue State #Nigerian Language Orokam is one of the 22 districts of Idomaland in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Middle Belt Region of Nigeria. Orokam is made up five clans: Ai-Inamu; Ai-Oko; Ai-Ona; Ai-Agbo Oriko; and Ai-Akor. Each clan has a number of kindred and many villages and hamlets. The people are very religious from their native traditional religion with strong emphasis on morality, honesty and integrity. Their religious life has a semblance of Old Testament laws and practice and therefore found Christianity easily acceptable because of strict prescription on morality. There are various taboos and punishments either by ancestors or nature for adultery, stealing, witchcraft, murder, charming of a neigbhour and so on. The major occupation of the people of Orokam is farming, trading and civil service. Orokam people are usually very reliable and trustworthy and hence always appointed to positions of trust. RELIGION Major religion as at present is Christianity with the Methodist Church Nigeria and Catholic Church as dominant Christian denominations while a very few African Religion Practitioners and spot of Muslim Fulani nomads are present. Orokaam is known for churning out great preachers and generals in Lord’s vineyard. Unknown to many, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Center, Dr. Paul Enenche is from Adupi in Orokam. Interestingly, the late God’s General and respected prophet, Rev Sammoses Enenche, Mama Vera Enenche of the Enenche dynasty are also natives of the community. Pastor IB Alfa of the New Creation Assembly, Pastor Isaac Akor of Reformation Assembly, Pastor Moses Okpe of Christlight Ministry also hailed from this community. Worship General and gospel music icon, Chris Morgan is also a native of Orokam. Orakam is indeed one city, million prophets. TOURISM Enumabia is an ancient and the only surviving body of water in Orokam. But recent discovery says that other body of water is now in Ola' Onah in Orokam. The water is popularly known as the healing spring, which built a siege around itself as protection from villagers who defies her. It is a known fact that all who hailed from Orokam pays homage to Enumabia in the past because it is believed she left her first settlement due to the way the people treated her. Some worshiped this water as it brings healing. The whole villagers rely on it for water because it is pure and will not allow another water project into the land. Projects like pipe bore water and community boreholes were almost a difficult task in the past due to the presence of Emumabia. Year after year Enumabia remained the same and anybody that must live a healthy life must drink from it as it is the only source of pure drinking water. Several attempts to come up with other sources of water in the land failed. The body of water will never allow any camera to capture it. The good news today is that there are other bodies of water and pipe bore water running in Orokam. It could be that prayers has nullified her power, that we don't know for sure. But at present it allows other water to come in and help the community to better their health and long suffering of trekking all the way to Enumabia.