Notable Nigerians from Okija
Okija is home to many notable Nigerians, including;
The vegetation of Okija
Is mainly forest with palm trees because the chief economic tree.
The land is of course terribly fertile, thus the chief occupation in Okija is farming or agriculture. Okija is that the largest food Producer in Ihiala L.G.A and Anambra State. She grows many huge and little yams, cassava, coco yams, maize, plantain and palm manufacture (oil and kernel), etc. The chief occupations in Okija is fishing, searching and animal-keeping (especially goats, sheep, pigs and fowls). Okija is once more the most important meat and fish producers and provider in Ihiala LGA.
Okija – Achala – Ogidi
According to one legend, Okija, Ihiala, Ihembosi and Uli had one father referred to as Achala Ogidi. This can be the reason why Okija is a few times called Okija – Achala – Ogidi.
According to this legend, Okija was the primary son: Ihembosi, the second, Ihiala, the third, and Uli the fourth and last. Naturally, they need to decide on things and break Kola so as of seniority. This can be why Okija breaks Kola nut for all the cities in Ihiala LGA, the court of law connected cities, though settled at Ihiala, is thought as Achala city court up to nowadays.
THE THIRTY ONE VILLAGES IN OKIJA OR OKIJA “OHU EBO NA IRI;
1. Umuezedam, 2. Umuakporom, 3. Ugwucheleku, 4. Umuapani, 5. Ubahuagbugba, 6.Umudalaegwu (Uhuosu), 7. Umudioka, 8. Ezieke, 9. Umuokpala ezike, 10. Umuawa, 11. Umuchiuwa, 12. Umu- Uzu, 13. Umunakwa, 14. Ubahu-Ezike, 15. Umuezeobi, 16. Umunzele, 17. Uhudim, 18. Ohukabia, 19. Umuofo, 20. Umu-Ezewulum, 21. Uhungwu, 22. Isieke / Ubahudara, 23. Ubahueze, 24. Isifulu, 25. Etiti Umuhu or Umuhu, 26. Umuigwe, 27. Umuodogwu, 28.Ohuogwugwu, 29. Umuezim/ Ezimbala, 30. Umuanumoge, and, 31. Umunnafojolo.
Okija or the thirty one mentioned villages loosely divided into three;
1. Ubahu Abu Ubahu: This conjure Ubahu, Umuohi (Umunhi), ubahuezike and umuhu
2. Uhuobo and Uhuowere: This consists of Uhudim, Umuofo, Ohukabia, Umuatuegwu and Uhuowere.
3. Ihite abu Ihite: This contains Ubahummonu, Ubahudara, Isieke and Ihite.
Traditionally or a few years gone, Okija city had no king or didn’t respect and regard someone because the chief of the thirty one villages in Okija. In those years, sturdy individuals assumed leadership of various villages and quarters.
Now Okija has its own city council. In recent years, His Royal Highness, Igwe (Sir) Emeka Nnamdi Okezie. Therefore the governance currently rests on the Igwe and also the native councilors still at the Okparas. People who facilitate within the regime of the city embrace the cohort (the age group) and Igwe in council.
Okija is currently represented in the Federal House of Representatives by Ifeanyi Chudy Momah [3] [4]
Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern 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 Capital is Awka, while the State’s Largest City is Onitsha.
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.
Nnewi is a commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. It is the second largest city in Anambra state after Onitsha. Nnewi as a metropolitan area has two local government area, which are Nnewi North and Nnewi South, all centred around the Nnewi town. Even Ekwusigo local government area is now part of Nnewi urban area, as urbanization continues to spread from Nnewi to neighbouring communities. The Nnewi town which is the only town in Nnewi North comprises four villages: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Nnewi had been the centre of economics and commerce, being at a time the fastest growing industrial city east of the Niger, being the home of many industries such as The Ibeto Group, the Chicason Group, Cutix Cables, amongst others. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city while the first wholly Made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the 'NASENI M1' was manufactured in Nnewi.
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 87,796.
The Aro people or Aros are an Igbo subgroup that originated from the Arochukwu kingdom in present-day Abia state, Nigeria. The Aros can also be found in about 250 other settlements mostly in the Southeastern Nigeria and adjacent areas. The Aros today are classified as Eastern or Cross River Igbos because of their location, mixed origins, culture, and dialect. Their god, Chukwu Abiama, was a key factor in establishing the Aro Confederacy as a regional power in the Niger Delta and Southeastern Nigeria during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Nkpor is a town in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state. The town of Nkpor had an estimated population of 109,377 in 2007. It is attached to the much larger city of Onitsha to the west, Oze to the north, Ogidi and Umuoji to the east, and Obosi to the south. The name 'Nkpor' is derived from the adulteration of the Igbo word nkpogha meaning 'repositioning'.Nkpor is known for its farming prowess. There is a maize known as ‘akpu aka Nkpor’ because of its robust yield and is reminiscent of Nkpor men who are often muscular. In ancient times, a rich man is known in Nkpor for his rich yam barn and the number of animals in his pen. An average Nkpor indigene does not buy foodstuff in the market and does not deny his visitors food. Nkpor is a traditional Community that worshiped the God of their ancestors before the advent of Christianity.
Awka'Awka South Local Government Area (LGA) is made up of nine towns, namely, Amawbia, Awka, Ezinato, Isiagu, Mbaukwu, Nibo, Nise, Okpuno and Umuawulu. There are three major streets that span this area, which are the Zik Avenue, Works Road and Arthur Eze Avenue. In the past, the people of Awka South LGA were well known for blacksmithing. Today they are respected among the Igbo people of Nigeria for their technical and business skills.
Nnewi North is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, south-central Nigeria. Nnewi is the only town in Nnewi North LGA. It has four villages (sub-towns) that make up the one-town local government, which includes; Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewi-ichi. The traditional ruler of Nnewi- Igwe of Nnewi -presently is Igwe Kenneth Orizu the 3rd of which this royal family is from Otolo Nnewi, and for this reason, is regarded as first among equals of the four villages. Other traditional rulers exist in other villages and they oversee the traditional affairs of their respective villages, amongst which are Obi Nnamdi AC Obi (ogidi) who is obi of Uruagu, Obi Umudim And obi Onyekaba Of Nnewichi. In this vein one may ask who is now Obi of Otolo since the royal family of Igwe oversees the traditional affairs of entire nnewi.
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.
Omor in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra state in Nigeria, is on the shores of the Omambala River. It is made up of the villages of Akanator, Aturia, Amikwe and Orenja.
Nsugbe is a town in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Umu-Nneochi or Umunneochi is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Abia State, Nigeria.
Inyi is a town in Enugu State, Nigeria. The name "Inyi" refers to a metaphor, which is an essential component in the creation of proverbs. It is the Igbo name for the red water tree. Due to historical events connecting the tree and the town's founder, he was given the name, which subsequently became the town's name.
Igwe Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya (1855-1904) was the 17th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom in the present day Anambra state of Nigeria. He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Nigeria. He is a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Okafo. Unlike most Igbo monarchies, there were kings of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans.
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).
Ogbunike is a town in the Oyi local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. There are markets in Ogbunike. These include Plastic Products Dealers Society International Market Ogbunike.
Afiaolu is a traditional festival held annually in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria around August. The Afiaolu festival commences on “Eke” day with what is traditionally described as “Iwaji” and Ikpa Nku, this heralds the availability of new yam as well as thanksgiving to God. The festival includes a variety of entertainments including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (king), cultural dance by girls and masquerade dance.
Neni, is an Igbo speaking town in Southeastern Nigeria.
Ifeanyi Chudy Momah is a Nigerian lawyer and businessman currently serving in the House of Representatives and represents Ihiala Federal Constituency, Anambra State. He is the chairman of the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory Judiciary and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The 2021 Anambra State gubernatorial election took place on 6 November 2021, to elect the Governor of Anambra State. Incumbent APGA Governor Willie Obiano was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. APGA nominee, former Central Bank Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, retained the office for APGA with a 24% win over PDP nominee, former Transcorp CEO Valentine Ozigbo.
