[1][2] The Ovia (Osse) River originates in the Apata hills section of the Yorubaland plateau, a region of mildly undulating terrain and rolling hills west of the Niger-Benue confluence and north of the town of Kabba in the region between the present day Ekiti and Kogi states of Nigeria.

[4][5][6] Edo mythology relates the stories of Ovia, a woman from Uhen village known for her great beauty and unwavering principles.

Ovia's parents consented to the union, gifting her with mystical items, including a protective water pot, a canine companion, and a parrot.

[14][15][16] During the Ovia festival, an integral part of the river's cultural heritage, most men in the community go into seclusion in the groves around the shrine for varying periods, ranging from a week to three months.

[23][30][31][32] At the end of the festival, the women of the community perform the Agbala dance, signifying the return of the men to the real world.

[36][37] Its verdant banks bore witness to the rise and fall of various ethnic groups, notably the Bini and Esan people.

[40][41] The Ovia River became the lifeblood of agriculture, with fertile soils nourished by annual floods, fostering the growth of yams, cassava, and various crops that sustained the local populations.

[47][48] Local folklore abounds with tales of river deities and spirits, with rituals and ceremonies performed along its shores to appease and seek favor from these supernatural entities.

[51][52] The riverbanks bustled with markets and trading posts where ivory, spices, and exotic materials exchanged hands, attracting traders from distant regions.

[35] These steamships connected the inland communities to the coastal ports, facilitating the export of commodities like palm oil, rubber, and timber.

[79][80] Conservation efforts, led by government agencies and local communities, aim to address these issues and protect the river's ecosystem.

[88][89][90] In recent years, the Ovia River has faced environmental challenges, including pollution from industrial and agricultural activities.

[91][85] Conservation efforts and initiatives to preserve the river's ecosystem are ongoing, with the aim of safeguarding its natural beauty and ecological significance.