Most of the autonomous communities of Edda had existed as small, but very strong, city states with each having its own monarch before Nigeria was carved up by British colonialists.

Successive legislators from the area have fought to change the name of their place and people, to Edda in Nigeria's constitution to better reflect their heritage and proud identity.

The more general concept in Edda is citizenship, which is about membership of a person regardless of places of ancestry, to their community of values and shared norms.

Every district of each town and village in Edda still bears a relic of a past where social life was built around mead halls that were centers of education, religion and recreation.

The people defended their lands and protected territories they considered a sphere of influence that stretched into modern day Cross River and Akwa Ibom, extending into the sea.

Unfortunately, the traditional mode of education that focused on building skills to defend their lands didn't survive into modern times as Edda eventually was assimilated into what became Nigeria.

The government of Ebonyi State and Nigeria both also recognize the hereditary monarchs of different ancient kingdoms, called Ezeogo, as traditional rulers and ceremonial cultural heads of their communities, albeit without any political powers.

Chief (Dr) Francis Ama Oji, OFR, KSJI, Former Deputy Governor of Old Imo State, Honourable Secretary/Minister of Police Affairs 1992–1993 2.

Elem Nnachi, actress Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, politician Senator Michael Ama Nnachi, politician Prince Ikenna Emewu, international journalist, author, researcher Julius Ama Oji, businessman Uchechukwu Onyemenam (JCA) Jurist Prince Uka Ezeogo Ugwuocha