Okoro  is one of the most common names among Nigerian ethnic groups. It features predominantly among the Igbo of southern Nigeria, on both sides of the lower Niger. It is a common and traditional name among the Urhobo of the western Niger Delta. It is, however, almost never borne by Binis with whom the Urhobo share a great deal of common culture, including names.

On January 6, 2000, a Benin publisher claimed in the Edo Community internet networks that the name Okoro  was originally an honorific term for a Benin Prince. He contended that it was copied by other ethnic groups whom the Binis conquered as a result of favorable trade relations with the Portuguese, a process that was halted by British conquest of Benin in 1897! There followed considerable interest by other Binis who never challenged Mr. Agidigbi's far reaching claims on the history of Benin's relations with neighbouring ethnic groups and the Europeans. Nor were any questions raised on the age of the name Okoro. Benin imperialism in several areas of the lower western Niger region, and beyond them, took place in the fifteenth century and thereafter, up to the nineteenth century. Was the name Okoro not already in use in areas impacted by Benin imperialism? These questions were not raised in the interesting discussions on the matter of Okoro that Mr. Agidigbi introduced into Edo Community internet discussion group.

Meanwhile, the claims from Binis on Okoro  were followed by Urhobos who commented on these views under the platform of e-mail networks of Urhobo Historical Society. Like the Binis they discussed the uses of  Okoro  among themselves, although they  referred to the claims by Binis over this name and the manners of the comments in the Edo Community networks on this very common Nigerian name.

We have selected the most representative email messages on this interesting discussion of a name that will remain with Nigerians for a long time. They are in two groups: Benin perspectives and Urhobo perspectives.

Peter P. Ekeh
Editor@waado.org