Enugu-Ezike

Enugu-Ezike is a large town occupying all the whole land of Igbo Eze North local government area of Nigeria's Enugu state. It shares borders in the north with Benue State, in the south with Ovoko(Igbo Eze South), Amala and Obollo(Udenu) and Kogi State in the West and partially in the north

Background

Enugu-Ezike reputed as the largest single community in black Africa is located in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State of Nigeria. It has a population of about 259,431 with 36 villages in addition to some other newly created political autonomous communities. Enugu-Ezike has common boundaries with Benue and Kogi States of Nigeria. On the North is Ette, an igbo speaking community in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area. On the East is Ofante and Idoma while the North West flank are Amaka and Akpanya communities of Benue State. To the South West is Ibagw while the South West is Alor Agu, Unadu and Itchi. To the South East of Enugu-Ezike are Obollo Afor, Iheaka and Ovoko. Enugu Ezike is renowned for her palm wine, practice of traditional medicine and Traditional African religions.

Proposed origins

As to the origin of Enugu-Ezike, various writers and researchers have come up with varied opinions about that. However, the one that appealed to me most is that ezike oba (oba which is a title in igbo land which means someone who have accumulated a lot of wealth inform of yams obaji.money.obaego.and oba is another name for a specie of crocodile in igbo land) an igbo man from nri moved from Aguleri and further to Ebenebe and settled at Okpuno Ezike at Enugu Ukwu all in Anambara State of From Enugu Ukwu, he moved through the Anambra Rivers to Igabada and then to Idah both in Kogi State. While at Idah, he stayed with King of Idah known as the Ata. As a hunter, he shot an elephant and followed the wounded animal to Odoru and Agbokete both in Kogi State and continued the pursuit up to Ibagwa Ani and moved in the search to Ekoyi grove and finally to Ugwueka hill at Amube where the animal was spotted dead. He then settled at Amube hill which was referred to Elugwu Ezike (Ejige) Oba. He named the place as “Ufu”. Ezike Oba married wives but two of them gave birth to the four sons that make up Enugu-Ezike. The two wives were Ayigwa who bore him the first son, Ezzodo and the third son, Essodo. Osegbe gave birth to the second son, Itodo and the fourth and last born, Ozzi. Below is the list of the villages that make up Enugu-Ezike. It does not include new political creations in the form of autonomous communities Ezzodo (1st son) Essodo (3rd son) Itodo (2nd son) Ozzi (4th son)

The names of the communities are: Umuida, Ogrute, Umuopu, Uda, Aji, Amufie, Inyi, Uroshi, Umuagama, Amachalla, Ugbaike, Umuogbo Ulo, Olido, Okpo, Umuogbo Agu, Imufu, Amaja, Umuogbo Inyi, Igbele, Isugwu, Umuogbo Ekposhi, Ikpuiga, Ufodo, Ezillo, Okata, Igogoro, Ikpamodo, Nkpamute, Owerre Eze, Umachi, Amube, Ogbodu, Aguibeje

Relationship with Enugu Ukwu

In 1935, nine old men from Enugu-Ezike went to Awka to testify in a land case between Enugu Ukwu and Enugu Agidi. Up till today, there is a place referred to as Okpuno Ezike in Enugu Ukwu which is regarded in some quarters as part of the original home of Ezike (Ejige) Oba.

Traditional Leadership System

The traditional leadership system as is obtained in Enugu-Ezike is primarily Gerontocracy. Enugu Ezike also has a strong gerontocratic government that is led by an Onyishi, who is the eldest male in the town[1].

Notable people from Enugu-Ezike

  • Ahebi Ugbabe - A female queen of colonial Nigeria; originated from Iyaa in Umuonu Umuiyida.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Enugu Ezike: Home of hospitality, tradition". independent.ng. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  2. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. pp. 54–55. ISBN 0253222486

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