Ika language (Nigeria)


The Ika Dialect is an Igboid dialect spoken by the Ika people a subgroup of Igbos in Delta and Edo states of southern Nigeria. The Ika people are specifically located in the North-West of Delta State but some like Igbanke, Inyelen and Ekpon are presently located in Edo State. Ika communities mostly comprise the following: Agbor, Owa, Umunede, Owerre-Olubor, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ugbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon, Igbanke.
Other Ika communities found in Edo State are Owanikeke, Owa-Riuzo Idu and Igbogili. The Ika language has both elements of Edo and Igbo. This is what makes the language unique. On Delta Radio there is now news in Ika. Ikas have commenced writing the Bible in their language, and right now the gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John have been published in Ika along with other books. Ifeanyi Okowa is a prominent son of Ika background.
There are other Ika speaking communities who are presently in Edo state, namely;