But oral narration and different books by Nigerians and European explorers and Archaeologists agreed that the first settlers at Unuame date back to the first period (Ogiso era).

From the Ogiso era, until Oba Esigie conquered Udo, the Ovia river at Unuame was reputed to be the boundary to exit or enter Igodomigodo land (Benin Kingdom).

[25] The main occupation of the people of Unuame includes farming, palm wine tapping, basket weaving, the local distillation of gin, trading, mud sculpture, fishing, animal trapping and hunting.

[14] Ovia festival and other celebrations throughout the year could provide occupation for many locals, such as in cultural dances, catering and costume making.

[28] Since time immemorial, Unuame has been at the centre of most historical events surrounding Obas, such as Oranmiyan (1170), Oguola, Orobiru, Ewuare, Ozolua and Esigie, among others, in the Kingdom.

[32] However, Nyame (1977)[33] argued that the archaeological evidence at Unuame and Udo could mean that the advent of Oranmiyan and Ife traditions may have arrived later than most previous estimates.

[35][36] In the reign of Oba Orobiru (1400-1432), elders welcomed and supported Prince Ogun (Ewuare I) when he arrived Unuame to cross the Ovia river and exit Benin.

During one of his tours (Ólogha) to Unuamen, he created the Okao title (also known as Traditional/District Head) as he launched Benin into the era of the warrior kings.

[41] According to Jungwirth (1968),[42] “when he got to Ovia N’Unuame he declared again if he returned safely from Ora he would offer a sacrifice with a ram, four feathers from a parrot, chalk and some cowries”.

The Okao N’Unuame (The traditional head of Unuamen) and his people backed Oba Esigie (1504-1550) against his half-brother Arhuanran N'udo (the Duke of Udo) in a fierce battle for disrespecting the crown.

[46][47][48] According to Egharevba (1968: 26),[46] The Nigerian Field Society (1975: 160),[13] and WAJA (1976: 144),[47] "at the start of the sixteenth century, Oba Esigie, with the help of his mother Queen Idia, gathered the Benin army at Unuame on the River Osse/Ovia and from there launched an attack which finally destroyed the might of Udo and his giant half-brother Arhuanran".

Similarly, a study by Darling (1984)[22] maintained that Queen Idia provided the crucial help Oba Esigie needed in Unuamen to cross the Ovia river, conquer Udo and win succession to the throne.

[13] Unable to reach a compromise, "the Benin army behind Esigie surged down to the embarkation point and invaded across the Ovia/Osse river to defeat Udo, their tens of thousands of feet wearing down a great, wide gully to the waterside".

[45][51] Oba Esigie presented the Okao with an "Ada" and "Eben", took part in the festival and passed through the initiation (Ógua) process, thus fulfilling his vows/pledges.

No doubt the prestige associated with the victory over Udo was an important factor in making Ovia N'Unuame, the most widespread cult in Benin.

One of the most magnificent of Benin's sixteenth-century bronzes, the institutionalisation of the Queen Mother and the widespread Ovia cult are all claimed to relate to these events at Unuame".

[48] Unuamen, a surrounding neighbourhood of Okomu Forest Reserve[54] and serene community with the conducive climatic condition and environmentally friendly people, has Ecotourism assets.

[55][56][57] A stretched layout of rainforest land with rich and diverse flora and fauna and a variety of wildlife, among which is the endangered white-throated monkey and African dwarf crocodile.

[58] An open, well stretched out Ovia/Osse river with free-flowing current and annual hydropower potential of 61.619 MW,[59] runs on Unuame western borders.

Expressing delight at the historical sites, the commissioner said on a quote: "Today I have seen what I read in books about Oba Esigie and Queen Idia and where the event happened.