Ogbaru | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 6°00′N6°42′E / 6°N 6.7°E | |
Country | Nigeria |
State | Anambra State |
Area | |
• Total | 387.7 km2 (149.7 sq mi) |
Population (2022) [1] | |
• Total | 318,200 |
• Density | 820/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Ogbaru is a local government area in Anambra State, south-central Nigeria. The area's local government headquarters is in the port city of Atani.It is part of the Greater Onitsha Metropolis.
Ogbaru Local Government Area has its administrative center in the town of Atani and is located in Anambra State in Nigeria's South-East Geopolitical Zone. Parts of Rivers and Delta State border the Ogbaru LGA, which is made up of a number of cities and villages such Obeagwe, Oluta, Ochuche, Umunankwo, Okpoko, Odekpe, Atani, and Umuzu. Ogbaru LGA is expected to have 197,808 residents, with the bulk of these people belonging to the Igbo ethnic group. In the LGA, the Igbo language is widely spoken, and Christianity is a very popular religion there. Ogbaru LGA has a number of vibrant festivals, including as the Ogbaru Boat Regatta Festival, while prominent local landmarks include the Nigerian Navy. [2]
Ogbaru people are farmers as well as known warriors from its history; the Ogbaru people share clan lineage and boundaries with Anioma people in Delta State and Ndoni people in Rivers State. [3]
Ogbaru has a Nigerian naval base, an industrial river harbor, a refinery, a federal road under-construction leading to Rivers State in Nigeria. Ogbaru is a projected link road to other parts of the southeast and south zones of Nigeria with construction of more inland link roads and the construction of a Second Niger bridge. [4]
The Ogbaru people consider the Niger-River waters that run through its region as their territorial lands. Ogbaru is surrounded by river Niger to the west, from okpoko town to Ogwu-ikpele boundary with Rivers state (west end) and the Orashi River to the East along Ogwu-aniocha and Osomari forest reserve (east end), Ogbaru boundary with Ihiala and goes up to Okija, Ihiala, Owerri Onitsha road, also borders Ozubulu, Oraifite and Oba to its northeast. [5]
The shallow depth of the River makes the area subject to frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall in the rainy season which impacts local farms and crops. [6] [7] A major flood in 2018 killed 12 people and polluted nearby rivers. [6] [7] In 2020, a major flood displaced 1000 people and again impacted farms in the region. [6] [8]
Towns within the region include Atani, Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizor, Amiyi, Mputu, Obeagwe, Ohita, Odekpe, Ogbakugba, Ochuche Umuodu, Ossomala/Ossomari, Ogwu-aniocha, Umunankwo, Umuzu, Okpoko, and Ogwu-Ikpele. Ogbaru is neighbored to the north by Onitsha, a major commercial city in Nigeria also located in Anambra State.
Ogbaru is an Igbo clan that stretched into three Nigerian states, Anambra State, Delta State and Rivers State in Nigeria. Ogbaru was a food basket in Biafra country, during the civil war.(But little logistics for distribution across the war torn land).Civil war never came to Ogbaru it was inaccessible by road, or air, and covered in forest.
The overflow of River Niger and downpour in the past few days fuelled the rise of the water level.Houses, farmlands, markets and business houses have been swallowed by the flood.flood has taken over places like [9] Ogwu Ikpele, Akili Ogidi, Obeagwe, Ossomala, Umunankwo, Ogbakuba, Ochuche, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ohita, Odekpe, Amiyi, Iyiowa, Ogbeukwu, Okoti, Ochuche Umuodu and parts of the slum Okpoko near the commercial city of Onitsha.Total number of 76 citizens living in flood-ravaged areas Ogbaru were drowned when their boat capsized trying to leave their flooded homes. [10] According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ogbaru has the highest number of victims with 286,000 persons. [11] One of the impact of the flood is house collapse causing death in the community. [12]
Secondary schools in Ogbaru Local Government Area include Ogbaru High School, Ogbakuba Ideke Grammar Secondary School, odekpe Unity Comprehensive Girls' High School, Okpoko Community Boys' Secondary School, Okpoko Community Girls' Secondary School, Okpoko Community Secondary School, Atani Government Technical College, Osomala Community Secondary School, Odekpe Josephine Oduah Memorial Secondary School, and Akili-Ozizor Anthony Obaze Memorial Community Secondary School, Ochuche Umuodu. [13]
Notable people and personalities from Ogbaru include:
Onitsha is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. Onitsha along with various cities and towns in southern Anambra State, northern Imo State and neighboring Delta State on the western bank of the Niger River, form a continuous metropolitan area.
Anambra State is a Nigerian state located in the South-eastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The state's capital is Awka, while the state’s largest city is Onitsha which is regarded as one of the largest metropolis in Africa. Nnewi is the second largest commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, and also a known automobile hub within Nigeria and Africa.
Eziowelle is a town in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Eziowelle translates into English as 'a good place'. It is an agrarian community lying about twenty-three kilometers east of Onitsha. The Vatican Cardinal Francis Arinze is a native of Ezoiwelle. Eziowelle is in Idemili North Local Government Area.Historically, Eziowelle, Nimo Owelle, Abagana and Abba; all in Njikoka local government except for Eziowelle are siblings. Eziowelle is the first son of Owelle and is followed by Nimo, then Abagana and Abba being the last child. Their father was Owelle hence Eziowelle and Nimo Owelle bore their father's name while others still do but it's more pronounced in EziOwelle and Nimo Owelle than others. It has boundaries with Abatete, Abacha, Nimo Owelle, Abagana, Ogidi, and Umunachi. Eziowelle is made up of five villages which are Umuikwele, Umunnama, Ezinimo, Okpaliko, and Ubulu. According to Peter Emelumgini, in his book, A Compendium Knowledge of Eziowelle, "the first people to settle in Eziowelle were the Uruojukwu and Uruogbuefi of Umuikwelle ... before Umuikwelle Etiti migrated from Ifite-Ikwele and settled, with the originals. In Umunnama, the Uruezenebo were the originals, or settled earlier before others came from Umunoha of Port Harcourt side. In Ezinimo village, the Umu-oba, Umuoradigwo, Umu-Chidobelu-Ezeokobu, Umuagu, Uruama, Umudimatuand Umuawa settled earlierthan others before others came from Isi-Uzo Nsukka side when they were driven and scattered as a result of tribal wars. Some others later joined the village from other locations when they were driven out of the town as a result of misunderstanding and constant quarrelling from their relatives and that made them move and settle with the early settlers." The last two villages which are Okpaliko and Ubulu are believed to have migrated from Nteje, a town in the Anambra State of Nigeria between the 18th and 19th centuries. The town is ruled by a traditional ruler called "Igwe" as obtainable in other neighboring Igbo-speaking towns. The Igwe of Eziowelle is also called the Owelle of Eziowelle after Owelle the great ancestor of Eziowelle. The current Owelle of Eziowelle is Igwe Mike Okonkwo Etusi..The first OWelle of Eziowelle, Igwe Christian C. Anene relinquished the throne to the Owelle 2, after his death in 1990. The current Onowu of Eziowelle is Obi J. Akukwe.
Atani is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River in Anambra State, Nigeria. Atani is the headquarter of Ogbaru Local Government Area, a Local Government in the Northern Senatorial District of Anambra State. It is one of the communities in Ogbaru situated in Igboland. Her political relations differ not so much from what obtains in other communities in the Igbo enclave. Disparities however exist in terms of geographical location and tradition. The political structure in Igboland begins from the family- Umunna as the smallest unit, and extends to community – Obodo, which is the largest unit. It was a town populated by early fishermen and migrant settlers. Atani is still the rice, fish, yam and cassava basin of Anambra state, producing most of the food sold in many markets in Delta and Anambra States. Atani people are Ukwuani.
Enugu State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by the states of Benue and Kogi, Ebonyi State to the east and southeast, Abia State to the south, and Anambra State to the west. The state takes its name from its capital and largest city, Enugu. The city acquired township status in 1917 and was called Enugwu-Ngwo. Due to the rapid expansion towards areas owned by other indigenous communities, it was renamed Enugu in 1928.
Ihiala is a city in Nigeria, located in the southern part of Anambra State and within the region known as Igboland. It has long served as the local administrative capital of Ihiala Local Government Area. The Local Government Area has a population of about 430,800.
Ayamelum is a local government area (LGA) in Anambra state, in the southeastern part of Nigeria with headquarters in Anaku. The towns that make up the local government are Anaku, Umueje, Omasi, Igbakwu, Umumbo, Omor, Umuerum, and Ifite Ogwari. Ayamelum’s area is situated at the border between Enugu state and Anambra state. The communities in the area are notable for food production.
Onitsha North is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. The headquarters is in GRA, Onitsha. Onitsha is the only town in Onitsha North and Onitsha South LGA. Onitsha North has a boundary by Idemili North and Oyi local government areas to the East, Anambra East local government area to the North, Onitsha South local government area by the South and Delta State by the West. But then, it has various localities that are residential areas for the population living in the local government area. These include Omagba Layout Phases 1 & 2, Inland Town, GRA, Federal Housing Estate Trans Nkisi GRA, Akpaka, Odoakpu, Ose, Omagba, etc. Onitsha North also has various primary and secondary schools owned by the government, individuals, and missions. It is also known as the city where the biggest market in West Africa is situated. However, Onitsha North has experienced several degrees of conflicts and riots. It was also affected by floods.
Onitsha South is a Local Government Area in Anambrs North Senatorial zone of Anambra State, Nigeria. The headquarters is in Fegge, Onitsha. Onitsha South is predominantly commercial with popular markets such as Ochanja market which attracts thousands of buyers and sellers of variety of commodities. The revenue of Onitsha South Local Government Area is generated mostly from commercial activities.
Oyi is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria. It is home to the Oyi people. The towns that make up the local government are Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Umunede Umunya and Nteje.
Enuani is an Igbo dialect spoken in Nigeria by the Anioma people of Delta State, Onitsha, Obosi and Ogbaru in Anambra State, Mgbidi in Imo State, Ndoni in Rivers State and some parts of Ibaji in Delta state. Enuani is tonal like the rest of Anioma dialects and is particularly related to the standard Igbo pronunciation in many regards. The Enuani dialect is the dominant Anioma dialect in Delta State.
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni is a Local Government Area of Rivers State, in South-South Nigeria under Rivers West Senatorial District, with its headquarters at Omoku. With about 258,700 People according to 2006 Census. It is bounded by Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Anambra States and also by Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Emohua Local Government Areas of Rivers State. They are part of the Igboid speaking Areas of Rivers State with three Tribes starting with Ogba as the dominant tribe with 12 legislative wards, the Egbema and Ndoni people who are also found in Ogbaru L.G.A and Ukwuani L.G.A both with 2&3 legislative wards respectively. It is majorly upland and home to the highest upstream Oil and Gas exploration/exploitation activity in the State since the early 1960's with about 12 mining/producing fields operated by AGIP, Total Energies and Shell/NPDC with many other reserve/untapped fields. It is part of the Ogba / Egbema / Ndoni / Ahoada West constituency of the Nigerian House of Representatives. Hon. Vincent Job is the Executive Chairman of ONELGA.
Nzam is a town in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The town has boundaries in the North with Inoma Akator; in the east with Mmiata Anam; in the West with the River Niger; and in the South with Umuenwelum Anam.
Ozubulu is a larger town in Anambra State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
Umunya is an Olu Town and one of the five communities that make up Oyi Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State Nigeria. It is bordered by six neighbors: Ifite-Dunu, Awkuzu, Nteje, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ogbunike, and Umudioka. In the south lies Umudioka and Ifite-Dunu, both in Dunukofia LGA. In the north, Nteje and Nkwelle-Ezunaka. In the east, Awkuzu and in the west, Ogbunike. The boundaries are naturally demarcated by streams except at the border with Nkwelle-Ezunaka where an expanse of Umunya heath namely, Oli-Omoto, Ogwugwu-Obo, Ugwueze, etc. crossed the Kpokili River. Nearly all ten villages of Umunya have their own fresh water springs. The town has fertile lands; hence, its economy is based on agriculture.
Main Market, Onitsha is the largest market in Africa based on geographical size and volume of goods. It is based in the city of Onitsha, in Onitsha North Local Government Area, the commercial capital of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. The town is located on the east bank of the Niger River that joined the Anambra River. The building that made up the main market Onitsha which was regarded as the largest in Nigeria was destroyed during the Nigeria civil war in 1968 and was rebuilt after the war.
Anaku is one of the administrative divisions of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. The town lies 6°15' North of the Equator and 6°44' East of the Greenwich Meridian. It is bordered by "Omabala," the native name of the Anambra River, which is a tributary of the River Niger (North), Aguleri, Ezu River (South), Omor and Umuerum communities (East).
Eze V. B. C. Onyema III was a Nigerian traditional ruler of Ogwu-Ikpele in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, South Eastern from 1976 until his death in 2024. He was the successor to his father, Eze Onyema II, and one of three Patrons of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Anambra North senatorial district in Anambra State covers seven local government areas which include Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum. There are 1,392 Polling Units (Pus) and 99 Registration Areas (RAs). Onitsha North LGA INEC Office is the collation centre. A president of the 4th Senate between 1999 and 2000, Chuba Okadigbo is from this district. Tony Nwoye is the current Senator of this senatorial district.
The 2022 Nigeria floods affected many parts of the country. From the Federal Government Data, the floods had displaced over 1.4 million people, killed over 603 people, and injured more than 2,400 people. About 82,035 houses had been damaged, and 332,327 hectares of land had also been affected.