groups of settlers in Illah are of Igala descent. These are the Ukpologwu and the Ogbe-Olu people. (i) Ukpologwu Quarter The Ukpologwu people arrived in Illah before the Ogbe-Olu people. According to oral tradition, Ukpologwu was founded by Ogwu, the crown prince of Igalaland who was not allowed to succeed his father as the Attah of Igalaland, because he did not have a male child. Out of frustration, he went on self exile in Igalaland known as Ode-Ukpologwu. In a bid to further distance himself from the humiliation he was facing, he travelled down along the River Niger until he arrived at Omorka where he was received and accommodated by the four brothers who were the first to settle there. He thus settled there and founded the village known as Ukpologwu in Illah today. (ii) Ogbe-Olu Quarter Just like the Ukpologwu people, the Ogbe-Olu people trace their origin from Igalaland. They were, however led to Illah by an Igala prince called Akinjogula who is their progenitor. Government Illah operates a gerontocracy, a system of government that confers leadership on the oldest people in the community. The town is governed by a Council known as the Ogbelani-in-Council, and presided over by the oldest Obi, who is the Obi Ogbelani of the town. Each of the nine villages is headed by the oldest male, who thus occupies the position of Diokpa Ogbe. In the case of Ukwumege village, the oldest man becomes not only the Diokpa but, at same time, occupies the position of the Iyase of Illah. As Iyase, he automatically assumes the position of, and exercises the function of, the Prime Minister of the town. The Ogbelani-in-Council is made up of nominated representatives of the various villages in Illah. Economy Traditionally, Illah people are subsistence farmers and fishermen; they equally engage in trading, particularly with their eastern neighbours, with whom they trade notably in yams, rice and fish. The town thrives essentially as a middle market for traders from the hinterland towns, who come down to Illah to purchase these commodities. On specific market days, traders from outside Illah throng the Illah coastal markets to buy large quantities of yams, fish and other food commodities. In colonial times, Illah served as a strategic trade post in that part of the State, thanks to its geographic location on the coast of the River Niger, which enabled it to host the boat