Olukumi people

The Olukumi are a bilingual Anioma group of the Aniocha North area of the Delta State, Nigeria. They originate from Yoruba people and settled in this area long ago. The Olukumi occupy eight communities west of the Niger River, and are together known today as the Odiani Clan in Aniomaland. Ukwu Nzu town is the historical headquarters of the Olukumi people and is traditionally headed by the Obi of Ukwu Nzu, Agbogidi. The present Obi is H.R.M. Obi Ogoh 1. Olukumi villages select leaders through the Okpala Obi system, which is the Okpala (gerontocracy).

Geography
The Olukumi are native to an area just west of the Niger River's right bank. The area is rich in chalk and kaolin deposits, which is known as "nzu" in Igbo and "efun" in Yoruba, and has been traditionally mined and used by the people of the area for various cultural purposes.

Etymology
The word Olukumi is said by some to mean "My confidant" or "My friend" in Yoruboid.

History
According to Odiani oral tradition, the Olukwumi are a blend of aboriginal Igbo, migrants from the Owo, Akure, and Esan.

According to a report in the Sunday Tribune of October 24, 2010, they have also started to organize recitation and oratory quizzes and competitions in Olukumi to preserve the dialect. Linguists are also documenting the language. For 40 years, Chief G. B. Nkemnacho, a lawyer of Olukumi origin, has documented his people's history as told by its elders as life experiences and oral tradition.

Notable Olukumi people

 * Nduka Ugbade - (Former Nigerian football star and coach)
 * Helen Anyamelune - (1958 Miss Nigeria)