Okwuohia

Okwuohia is one of the 14 villages in Obowo local government in Imo State, Nigeria. It is an autonomous community in Imo state.

The village has a vast area of land and streams.

Okwuohia is traditionally under the leadership of HRH Eze Benjamin Uwajumogu an industrialist who was based in Gabon but upon his return to settle in the community was elected as the community's traditional ruler.

The community's traditional festivals include the Iwa-Akwa cultural (Initiation into manhood) and Mbom-Uzo cultural festival, which attracts tourists.

The community has three market days, Nkwo Okwuohia, eke Okwuohia and orie Okwuohia, which serve as an economic hub center for the community. Commodities, especially farm produce, are on display for purchase.

History

During the colonial era, when the British were ruling Nigeria, they established an oil mill in Okwuohia to take advantage of the abundant local water resources to harvest palm produce. This was a lucrative business of the huge demand for palm oil. Palm oil was exported to Europe and other industrialised nations for the production of finished goods such as soap and candles.

During the British Rule, they introduced the customary court system, with warrant chiefs who dispensed justice at that period. One of the customary courts was located in Okwuohia close to Abadaba lake.

Okwuohia enjoyed a relatively peaceful period because of this system of justice. Crime and robbery did not exist due the availability of the customary court system. The warrant chiefs, the court messengers and the community leaders were ever ready to handle anyone with the appropriate punishment.