Ikwuano
LGA in Abia State, Nigeria
LGA in Abia State, Nigeria
Ikwuano is a Local Government Area of Abia State , Nigeria . Its headquarters is in Isiala Oboro . The name 'Ikwuano' etymologically indicates that there are four different ancient kingdoms that make up the community called Ikwuano. These include Oboro , Ibere , Ariam/Usaka and Oloko .[2]
The postal code of the area is 440.[3] It is one of the five Local Government Areas that make up the Abia Central Senatorial District.[4] As at 2023, the executive chairman is Osinachi Nwaka.[5] Obi Aguocha currently serves as the Federal Representative representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives .[6] The member representing Ikwuano State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly is Engr. Boniface Isienyi.[7]
History
The present Ikwuano Local Government Area was part of the Bende Division in the then Southern Province created by the British Colonial Government as part of their “Divide and Rule” system of government and administration towards the beginning of the 19th Century. This was as early as the time Calabar was the capital of Nigeria .
When the Southern province was further divided, Ikwuano still remained part of the Bende Division. The present Bende town was the administrative headquarters where the District Commissioner resided. The District Commissioner, Nwa D.C., as he was known and called held courts at Bende and Oloko . At this time what was later carved out as Aba Division was part of the Bende Division, under the jurisdiction of Nwa D. C. The present Umuahia township later replaced Bende as the administrative headquarters after the extension of the Nigerian rail line from Port-Harcourt to Enugu between 1915 and 1916.[8] [unreliable source? ]
Ikwuano Local Government Area was among the new local government areas that were created on 27 August 1991 when the General Ibrahim Babangida 's Administration created Abia State from the old Imo State.[9] It was carved out of the defunct Ikwuano-Umuahia of the Old Imo State .
Women's War of 1929
The Aba Women's Riot began in Oloko . The demonstration occurred when thousands of women of Igbo origin from Bende , Umuahia , Owerri and other regions in the South East made the trip to Oloko , one of the four principal communities of Ikwuano. The cause of this movement was due to the worry that a new taxation plan was being implemented that would demand women, most especially widows, to pay taxes which they were not mandated to pay earlier on.[10]
Culture
Ikwuano is known for cultures and arts which include Ekpe , which is usually in January in the different Ikwuano communities coinciding with their respective market days, New Yam (Iri-Ji) and Afo Amaghi Onuma festivals. Their cultural dances are Eketensi Ritual dance, Oro, Ikperikpeogu (War Dance ), Uko and so on. They also have Oba and Ekpe societies .[11] Popular delicacies in Ikwuano include Ofe Achara , Ukazi Soup and Ugwu Soup .[12] The predominant languages spoken in Ikwuano are Igbo and English languages. The four clans speak distinct Igbo dialects though mutually intelligible. Ikwuano brides are known to have some of the costliest bride prices in Igboland . Traditional marriages are held in high esteem.[11]
Geography
It has an area of 281 km2 . It lies between the latitudes 5 24lN and 5 30lN and between the longitudes of 7 32lE and 7 37lE.[13]
It borders Umuahia North and Bende to its north, Umuahia South and Isiala- Ngwa North to its west, Ini to the east and Obot-Akara to the south.[14]
Demographics
The population of Ikwuano during the 2006 census was 137,993. As at 2015, it increased to 175,078.[15] The area is inhabited primarily by the Igbo people.[16]
Climate
It experiences an average weather temperature of 28 °C. The area witnesses two distinct seasons which are the rainy and dry seasons. The average humidity level is put at 62%.[17]
Ikwuano is in the humid forest zone of Nigeria. The Local Government Area has an average rainfall of 2351 mm, average minimum diurnal temperature of 22.90C and relative humidity range between 80 and 90%.[18]
Economy & Agriculture
The vegetation of the area is predominantly lowland rainforest, which makes it suitable for growing yam , cassava , maize , cashew and ginger . This has led to the area becoming the food basket of Abia State .
Farming is one of the key economic activities of the Ikwuano people. The area also hosts a number of markets where a variety of commodities are bought and sold. They include Ahia Ndoro and the Ariam Market. In fact, Ikwuano is situated in the palm belt of Eastern Nigeria . Other important economic engagements of the Ikwuano people are hunting , craftsmanship and wood carving .[19] [20] [21] [22] [23]
Villages grouped according to clans
The four clans of Ikwuano have a total of 58 villages. They are listed as follows:[24] [8] [25] [26]
Clan
Village
Ariam/Usaka
Amaegbu, Ariam Ala-Ala , Ariam Elu-Elu, Azunchai, Ekpiri Ala-Ala, Ekpiri Elu-Elu, Ekwelu , Ndieke, Ndiokoro, Ndiorie, Obugwu, Obeama, Oboni, Upa, Usaka Ukwu
Ibere
Amuro, Elemaga , Iberenta, Ihim, Inyila, Isiala, Itunta , Iyalu, Nkalunta, Ngwugwo, Obuohia , Obuoru, Umuemenike, Umulu
Oboro
Ahuwa, Amaoba Ikputu , Amaoba Ime , Amawom , Aro Ajatakiri, Aro Ayama, Ekebedi, Isiala , Ndoro , Nnono , Ntalakwu, Obunta, Ogbuebulle , Okwe, Umuariaga, Umudike , Umugbalu, Umuigu, Umuokwo
Oloko
Ahaba , Akanu Nchara , Amizi, Awomukwu , Azuiyi, Etoruo Nchara , Obuohia Okike, Oloko, Umugo, Usaka Eleogu
Autonomous communities
Villages in Ikwuano are constitutionally placed under 43 autonomous communities, each autonomous community is led by an Eze . These communities are:
Traditional rulers
Title
Clan
Name
Class
Village
Autonomous Community
Eze Kwesiri I of Abaa Ukwu
Oboro
Eze HRM David Chukwuemeka Isinguzo
1
Amaoba Ikputu
Abaa Ukwu
Chimere I of Etoruo
Oloko
Eze HRM N. Hart Agunaegbe (JP)
1
Etoruo Nchara
Afa
Agu I of Agumba
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Joseph Obaji
1
Ekwelu , Upa
Agumba
Efuma II of Agbalu Ozu
Oboro
Eze HRM Justice Chino Uwaga
2
Umugbalu
Agbalu Ozu
Awom II of Awom Oboro
Oboro
Eze HRM Elder Chukwudike Ebila Ironsi
2
Amawom
Awom Oboro
Igwebuike II of Oruigwe
Oboro
Eze HRM Chukwuemeka Elefuanya Ezeoma
2
Nnono
Oruigwe
Oko I of Oloko Ancient Kingdom
Oloko
Eze HRM Torty David Igbokwe
1
Azuiyi, Oloko, Umugo, Usaka Eleogu
Oloko Ancient Kingdom
Okike I of Obuohia Okike
Oloko
Eze HRM Mgbeonyere Eleribe
1
Obuohia Okike
Obuohia Okike
Chimere I of Ugwuegbu
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Ambrose Obileche Nwagwu
1
Obugwu, Amaegbu
Ugwuegbu
Dike Oha II of Umudike
Oboro
Eze HRM Onyekwere Joseph Anyaegbu
2
Umudike
Umudike
Dike Ukwu I of Umudike
Oboro
Eze HRM Ben Ogechimereze Oriaku
1
Umudike
Umudike Ukwu
Ugwuoha I of Awom Na Ebo
Oboro
Eze HRM Christopher .U. Ejirika
1
Umuariaga, Umuokwo
Awom Na Ebo
Ahaba I of Isiala Ahaba
Oloko
Eze HRM Sir Chima Onyemachi
1
Ahaba
Isiala Ahaba
N/A
Oboro
Vacant
N/A
Okwe
Okwe Ukwu
Igwe I of Ariam Osoigwe
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Daniel Adieze Gbufor
1
Ariam Elu-Elu, Ndiorie
Ariam Osoigwe
Isioha II of Isiama
Oboro
Eze HRM Prof. Sunday .C. Ezeribe
2
Isiala Oboro , Obunta
Isiama Oboro
Eze Ala II of Ala-Ala Oboro
Oboro
Eze HRM Ezeji Uzu Analaba
2
Ogbuebulle , Ekebedi
Ala-Ala Oboro
Oru I of Oru Onyerubi
Oboro
Eze HRM Ralph Ukachi Ogbonna
1
Ndoro , Aro Ayama
Oru Oboro
Uha I of Uha-la-Uda
Oboro
Eze HRM Chukwuemeka Aguocha Ukenye
1
Nnono
Uha-la-Uda
Eze Onye Oruru I of Ajatanaigu
Oboro
Eze HRM Larry Ogbonnaya .I. Agwu
1
Umuigu, Aro Ajatakiri
Ajata Na Igu
Akoo II of Umuakoo
Ibere
Eze HRM Monday Unadindu Okoro
2
Itunta , Obuoru
Umuakoo
N/A
Ariam/Usaka
Vacant
N/A
Oboni, Ndieke, Ndiokoro
Ikemba
Eze Ukwu I of Ahaba Ukwu
Oloko
Eze HRM Dr. Chimezie Nwabueze
1
Ahaba
Ahaba Ukwu
Igwebuike I of Umuokeigbo
Oboro
Eze HRM Valentine .C. Ohunta
1
Umuigu
Umuokeigbo
Eze Oha II of Usaka Ancient Kingdom
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Victor Peter Nwosu
2
Usaka Ukwu
Usaka Ukwu
Oro II of Oro Ibere
Ibere
Eze HRM Stanley .O. Ijenwa
2
Iberenta, Iyalu
Oro Ibere
Eze Ugo I of Ibere
Ibere
Eze HRM Williams Ugochukwu
1
Ngwugwo, Umulu
Ibere Ancient Kingdom
Igwebuike I of Amanchai
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Smart Bartholomew Ndukwe
1
Azunchai, Obeama
Amanchai
Ugwu I of Ugwu Ibere
Ibere
Eze HRM Prof. Ezeudo Samuel Ifenwanta
1
Inyila, Isiala
Ugwu Ibere
Eze Udo I of Awom Na Uzie
Oloko
Eze HRM Dr. Eugene .C. Ndimele
1
Amizi
Awom Na Uzie
Awom II of Awom Ukwu
Oloko
Eze HRM Okpetuoro Chukwudi
2
Awomukwu
Awom Ukwu
Ibe I of Ibe Uzo
Oboro
Eze HRM I.C. Ezeala
1
Amawom
Ibeuzo Ukwu
Ala I of Ariam Ala-Ala
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Onyekwere Onwualimba
1
Ariam Ala-Ala
Ariam Ala-Ala
Ime I of Amaoba Ime
Oboro
Eze HRM Emmanuel O'tuwa
1
Amaoba Ime
Amaoba Ime
Uzo II of Otu-Uzo
Ibere
Eze HRM Chidi Kalu
2
Amuro, Nkalunta, Ihim
Otu-Uzo
Ikputu I of Ikputu Oboro
Oboro
Eze HRM Chijioke Imo
1
Amaoba Ikputu
Ikputu Oboro
Agbo I of Agbo Ibere
Ibere
Eze HRM Ifeanyi Oluwa
1
Elemaga
Agbo Ibere
Eze Oha II of Akanu
Oloko
Eze HRM Monday .H.O. Okeanya (JP)
2
Akanu Nchara
Afa Ukwu
Apu I of Ntalakwu
Oboro
Eze HRM Prof. Samuel Ajiri
1
Ntalakwu
Ntalakwu
Obioma I of Obi Ibere
Ibere
Eze HRM Dr. Dickson .I. Orji
1
Obuohia , Umuemenike
Obi Ibere
N/A
Oboro
Vacant
N/A
Ahuwa
Ahuwa Oboro
Eze Okpu II of Ekpiri Osoaji
Ariam/Usaka
Eze HRM Andrew Igbokwe Ekpo
2
Ekpiri Elu-Elu
Ekpiri Osoaji
N/A
Ariam/Usaka
Vacant
N/A
Ekpiri Ala-Ala
Ekpiri Onyeike
[27]
Educational Institutions
Notable people
Ashley Nwosu , Nollywood actor[35]
Justice Ferdinand Ukattah, first Chief Judge of Abia State[36]
Buchi Atuonwu , Nigerian reggae gospel artiste[37]
Adanma Okpara, wife of the first Premier of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria; Michael Okpara [38]
Kenneth Omeruo , Nigerian footballer[39]
Christian Omeruo , Nigerian footballer[citation needed ]
Lucky Omeruo , Nigerian footballer[40]
Austin Akobundu , former Minister of State for Defence and Retired Colonel[41]
Pascal Atuma , Canadian-Nigerian actor, screenwriter, film producer, director, comedian and CEO/Chairman of TABIC[42]
Oscar Atuma , Canadian-Nigerian actor and film producer[43]
Godwin Nwabunka, Nigerian development expert & microfinance professional[44]
Nwanyeruwa , leader of the Aba Women's Riot of 1929[45]
Sandie Okoro , British lawyer[46]
Frank Dallas, Nollywood actor[47]
Samson Omeruah , former Governor of Anambra State [48]
Jimmy Johnson , Nollywood actor[49]
Erica Nlewedim, Nigerian actress, model, entrepreneur and ex-BBN housemate[50]
Henry Ikoh, Nigerian politician[51]
Rev (Fr.) Christian Anokwuru, pioneer Catholic Priest of Ikwuano[52]
Ogbonnaya Oji, ex-Biafran commander[53]
Chigul , Nigerian comedienne and actress[54]
Emeka Okoro, Nollywood actor and gospel artiste[55]
Brenda Ndukwe, Nollywood actress[56]
Ccioma, Nigerian gospel artiste and songwriter[57]
CJ Ujah , British athlete[58]
Paul Omeruo , former military administrator of Kogi State [59]
Augustine Ukattah , Nigerian politician[60]
Monday Ubani, ex-NBA vice president[61]
Onyinyechi Ironkwe, former Miss Niger Delta 2015/16[62]
Johnbull Owoh, former Nigerian envoy to Brazil and Guinea Bissau [63]
Chris Nkulor , Nollywood actor[64]
Sir Sunday Nwosu, Nigerian activist and founder of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN)[65]
Samuel Onuigbo , Nigerian politician[66]
See also
References
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