means “This land is very good”. The name was subsequently shortened to Ala (meaning “this land”), a name that was ultimately corrupted by the white man to become IIlah, its present name. (ii) Onyah Quarter The Onyah people, who arrived in Illah much later, are said to have come into Illah from Osamele, a town in the Ogbaru Local Government Area, of the present day Anambra State. Led by Prince Ogwu, the heir apparent whose ascent to the throne was being frustrated by the father’s longevity, decided to found his own territory to rule. In this attempt, he clashed with Edaiken at Omorka. The two war lords, however, struck an agreement whereby Ogwu was allowed to settle at the Illah waterside (Otu-Eke) and rule over an autonomous community there. He was to cooperate with Illah in terms of providing security for Illah from that axis. The Igbo connection of this group is evident, given the fact that they migrated from their native Osamele, an Igbo town. (iii) Ogbe-Orji The people of descended from an Igbo man, by name Chika, who is believed to have founded the village. Chika was a brother-in-law to Ugbe, who was Chijulu’s first son. He married Chika’s sister and eventually decided to settle at Illah, where he was very welcome. According to oral tradition, Chika decided to plant an iroko tree (Orji tree) in the area allocated to him by the Illah people, as a signpost, to guide his relations from the East, whenever they came to visit him in his new abode.2. The Benin OriginThe Ukwumege people of Illah lay claim to Benin descent. According to oral tradition, they are said to have descended from Edaiken, a Prince of the Ancient Benin kingdom. In the course of Edaiken's adventures from Benin towards the Eastern boundaries, he arrived at Illah, where the five co-founders of the town (Edem, Utei, Nwabukwu and Agwu), pleaded with him to assist them in overcoming, once and for all, their enemies from across the River Niger, in their eastern boundary, who had not stopped terrorising them ever since they settled on Illah soil. Edaiken, accepted the assignment, and having successfully executed the task of defending the Illah people against heir aggressors, was given an area of the town to settle, so that he could continue to defend the town. It is this quarter that became known as Ukwumege.3. The Igala OriginTwo