History

Oron became a Division in August 1970 and in 1976, was made a Local Government Area. However, following the local government creation exercise of the federal government in 1989, Oron was split into 3 Local Government Areas of Mbo, Akwa Ibom Oron, Akwa Ibom and Okobo, Akwa Ibom. Again in September 1991, Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area was carved out of Oron Local Government Area. Finally in December 1996, Udung Uko Local Government Area was further carved out of Oron.

Clan and settlement

Oron Town as it is popularly known is made up of four (4) out of the Nine (9) Oron people clans (Afaha) which are.

Afaha Okpo Clan also known as Afaha Okpo District includes

• Esin Ufot
• Esuk Oro
• Eyo Ekung Inyang
• Eyo Obiosio
• Udung Esin
• Udung Ulo
• Udung Usotia
• Udung Ekung
• Ikwita

Ibighi Clan also known as Uya Oro District includes

• Uya Oro
• Eyo-Atta
• Eyo-Esu
• Eyo-Ifang
• Eyo-Odiong
• Eyo-Okpo
• Eyo-Uya
• Udung Okwong
• Udung Uwe

Afaha Ukwong Clan which is today known as Eyo Abasi District includes

• Eyo Abasi
• Akai-Ikon
• Udung Ekung
• Udung Ekung II
• Udung Osin
• Udung Uko
• Uko Ukwong
• Uko Uyokim.

Afaha Ubodung Clan now known as Eyotong District comprises

• Eyotong
• Eyo-Esang-Obisung
• Eyo-Esio-Uwak
• Eyo-Okpo-Oyo
• Eyo-Orukra-Usuyak
• Eyo-Otong-Uwe
• Eyo-Oyete
• Udung Obisung.

Geography

Oron is in the tropical region and has a uniformly high temperature all the year round. The two main seasons are the dry which spans between October and April and wet season which starts around May and ends in September. There are also two prevailing winds – the South-West onshore winds which brings heavy rains and the North- East trade winds blowing across the Sahara Desert, which brings in the dry season.

Natural resources

The region is extremely fertile and is known for its topographical Oil Palm Belt, tropical rainforest, swamps, and beaches. The mangrove forests also provide timber and raw materials for medicinal purposes. There are also deposits of solid minerals such as iron, free silica or glass sand and gravel. Seafoods such as crayfish, snipers, oyster and periwinkle abound richly. Oron is also rich in oil and natural gas. Most of its oil reserves are off-shore with large amounts of untapped natural gas.