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Emii is an autonomous community located in Owerri North, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. It forms part of the Owerri metropolitan area and lies to the north of Owerri city.
| | This article needs additional citations for verification .(January 2017) |
Emii is an autonomous community located in Owerri North, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. It forms part of the Owerri metropolitan area and lies to the north of Owerri city.
Emii extends along a fan-shaped main road for a distance of over 6 kilometres (4 miles), stretching from Umuawuka in the east to Mgbahiri in the west. The town’s greatest width, from Umuawuka to the Emeohe boundary, is approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 miles). The main access road branches from Egbu Owerri Market along the Owerri–Umuahia tarred road and remains largely untarred within the town.
The town is bordered by Emekuku to the north and Agbala to the south, with Enyiogugu and Obube forming its eastern boundaries, while Egbu and Naze lie to the west. Except for Mgbahiri, most parts of Emii can be reached without crossing a river. The topography is largely level, interrupted mainly by the troughs of the Okitankwo and Oramurukwa streams.
The ancient town of Emii is made up of ten villages:
Each village is traditionally nucleated, with farmlands and bush areas separating them, yet located close enough to maintain strong social and cultural interaction.
Emii lies within the equatorial rainforest zone and experiences heavy rainfall and abundant sunshine, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The vegetation is characteristic of the rainforest belt and is periodically cleared for agricultural purposes. Tamarind palm trees and “Elizabeth” plants are common across the landscape, while oil palm trees dominate riverine areas, particularly in Emeohe, Umuorisha, Umuolu, Nkpehi, Umuebeh, Eziala, and Mgbahiri.
A notable natural feature is the Okohia Ode Emii forest, a dense equatorial forest known for its size and cultural significance. It is traditionally regarded as the early settlement area of Oche, the ancestral figure associated with Emii and its descendants.
The economy of Emii is traditionally agrarian. Major agricultural products include yam, cassava, cocoyam, palm produce, and palm wine. Palm wine tapping, locally known as Dagwa Special, is a major economic and cultural activity, particularly in the riverine villages. Farming and palm wine tapping remain the primary occupations, while hunting is practiced mostly as a pastime rather than a profession.
The people of Emii trace their ancestry to Oche and claim historical and genealogical ties with neighboring communities such as Emekuku, Obube, Naze, Obibi, Umuekwunne, and Nnorie. While there have been suggestions of a shared origin between Akirioche Emii and Ugu Uzo Emeke of Emekuku, historical findings have not conclusively established this connection.
Educational and health infrastructure in Emii includes primary (elementary) schools, a secondary school (Emii High School), and a health centre located in Ubaa village. Compared to neighboring Emekuku—which hosts multiple secondary schools, a major hospital, and a historic Roman Catholic church—Emii has fewer major institutions. This has historically influenced the town’s development and contributed to closer socio-economic ties with Emekuku.
5°27′N7°06′E / 5.450°N 7.100°E
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