Ikwuano Ikwuano | |
---|---|
Motto: Onye Ahala Nwanneya | |
Coordinates: 5°26′N7°34′E / 5.433°N 7.567°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Abia State |
Headquarters: | Isiala Oboro |
Created | 1991 |
Government | |
• Type | Democratic |
• Local Government Chairman | Osinachi Hyacinth Nwaka |
• Local Government Deputy Chairman | Chief Charles Ifeanyi Ugboajah |
Area | |
• Total | 281 km2 (108 sq mi) |
Elevation | 122 m (400 ft) |
Population (2022) [1] | |
• Total | 200,800 |
• Density | 710/km2 (1,900/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
3-digit postal code prefix | 440 |
Area code | 440 |
ISO 3166 code | NG.AB.IK |
![]() |
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]
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]
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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 | Amuru, 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 |
Villages in Ikwuano are constitutionally placed under 43 autonomous communities, each autonomous community is led by an Eze. These communities are:
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 |
Igwe 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 |
Igwe 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 |
Igwe I of Awom Ukwu | Oloko | Eze HRM Okpetuoro Chukwudi | 1 | 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 | Amuru, 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 |
Abia State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, it is bordered to the northwest by Anambra State and northeast by the states of Enugu, and Ebonyi, Imo State to the west, Cross River State to the east, Akwa Ibom State to the southeast, and Rivers State to the south. Abia is the only Southeastern state that has boundaries with the other four Southeastern states in Nigeria. It takes its name from the acronym for four of the state's most populated regions: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo. The state capital is Umuahia while the largest city and commercial centre is Aba.
Augustine Ukattah was a Nigerian teacher and politician.
Umuahia is the capital city of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to its south,and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 359,230 according to the 2006 Nigerian census. Umuahia is indigenously Igbo.
Umudike is a semi-urban settlement in Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State, Nigeria. It is about 11 kilometers southeast of Umuahia, the state's capital city. It is home to the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and the National Root Crops Research Institute. Umudike is composed of two autonomous communities which are Umudike and Umudike Ukwu.
Elemaga is a small farming village in Ibere, Ikwuano, Abia State, Nigeria. Elemaga is located in the center of Inyila, Isiala Ibere, Ahia Orie, Iberenta, Itunta and Obuoru at the food belt of Ibere, about 15 km southwest of Umuahia, the Abia State capital. Elemaga is believed to be derived syntactically from the words Ele ("look"), Ma ("well") and Ga ("go") which literally means "look well before you go". Climate is tropical monsoon.
Amawom is a town in Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The name is derived from two words; Ama meaning location and Awom meaning farm. Amawom is believed to have been discovered in the 18th century. Awom Oboro and Ibeuzo Ukwu are the autonomous communities of Amawom. English and Igbo are the languages spoken in the town.
Abam is a populated Igbo clan in Abia state. It is located in Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency of Nigeria. Abam is the biggest clan by population and landmass in Arochukwu LGA, and one of the biggest clan in Abia North senatorial district.
Oloko is one of the four clans that make up Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Oloko is from the Isuogu group. It borders Oboro to the north, Olokoro and Ngwa to the west, Ariam/Usaka to the east and Ikono; a clan in Akwa Ibom State to its south. Oloko is one of 18 Igbo clans of the Old Bende Division. It was classified in the Ohuhu-Ngwa cluster of the Southern Igbo area.
Oboro is the largest of four clans in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It is bounded to the north by Ibeku and Bende clans, west by the Olokoro and Ngwa, east by Ibere and south by the Isuogu. Oboro was classified in the Ohuhu-Ngwa cluster of the Southern Igbo area by British anthropologists Forde and Jones. It is also one of 18 Igbo clans in the Old Bende Division of the defunct Owerri Province. The Oboro speak a common language with the other 17 clans of the Bende Division though dialectal variations exist. These clans share a history of inter-ethnic relations.
Ndoro is a town in Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It is about 16 km southeast from the state capital, Umuahia and is located along the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.
Isiala Oboro is a village in the Oboro community of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of Ikwuano LGA. Isiama Oboro is the autonomous community of Isiala. The traditional head of Isiama Oboro is HRH Prof. Eze Sunday Ezeribe. He is conferred with the title of Isioha II of Isiama.
Ibere is a clan located in the eastern part of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. It borders Oboro to the west, Bende to the north, the Isuogu to the south, Itumbauzo and Nkari to the east. It is one of 18 Igbo clans of the Old Bende Division. Ibere was classified in the Ohuhu-Ngwa cluster of the Southern Igbo area by Forde and Jones.
Ariam/Usaka is one of the four principal clans of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Ariam/Usaka belongs to the Isuogu family. Ariam itself is made up of three subgroups namely; Ariam, Ekpiri and Usaka. This clan borders Ibere and Oboro to the north, Oloko to the west, as well as several Ibibio communities in Akwa Ibom State to its eastern and southern borders. Forde and Jones categorized the Isuogu family in the Ohuhu-Ngwa cluster of the Southern Igbo area.
Ahaba is a rural community in Oloko, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Isiala Ahaba and Ahaba Ukwu are the autonomous communities of Ahaba. Ahaba is 23km south of Umuahia, Abia State's capital city.
Nchara is an agrarian community in Oloko, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. It is composed of two sister villages namely; Akanu and Etoruo. These two villages are placed under two autonomous communities - Afa Ukwu & Afa respectively. It is about 24 km away from the state capital, Umuahia.
Amaoba is an Oboro community in the Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It consists of two autonomous sister villages, Amaoba Ime and Amaoba Ikputu. Abaa Ukwu, Amaoba Ime and Ikputu Oboro are the three autonomous communities of Amaoba. Amaoba is 13 km away from the state's capital, Umuahia.
Ariam Ala-Ala is a village in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It is one of 15 localities of the Ariam/Usaka clan. The community is located along the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road and is about 27 km away from the state capital, Umuahia.
Obuohia is a village in Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Obuohia is the largest village of the Ibere clan and third largest in Ikwuano. It is part of the Obi Ibere Autonomous Community and doubles as the capital. Obuohia is 27km east of Umuahia, Abia State's capital.
Awomukwu is a village in Oloko, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. It is located along the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road. The Eze of Awom Ukwu Autonomous Community is HRM Eze Okpetuoro Chukwudi.
Itunta is a village in Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Itunta falls under the Umuakoo Autonomous Community. The Eze of Umuakoo is HRM Eze Monday Unadindu Okoro in whom is conferred with the title of Akoo II of Umuakoo. Itunta is renowned for her vast cocoa production.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of January 2024 (link){{cite web}}
: Missing or empty |title=
(help)