Ikwuano

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.

The postal code of the area is 440. It is one of the five LGAs that make up the Abia Central Senatorial District. As at 2022, the executive chairman is Stephen Mpamugo. Samuel Onuigbo currently serves as the Federal Representative representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.

History

Ikwuano LGA 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. It was carved out of the defunct Ikwuano-Umuahia of the Old Imo State.

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 before the seat of government was moved to Lokoja, later to Lagos and presently at Abuja in the central region 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.

Culture

Ikwuano is known for cultures and arts which include Ekpe, 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 while traditional marriage is held in high esteem. The predominant languages spoken in Ikwuano are Igbo and English languages. The four clans ( Oboro, Oloko, Ibere and Ariam/Usaka) of Ikwuano speak distinct Igbo dialects which are mutually intelligible. Christianity is widely practiced.

Geography

It has an area of 281 km. It is made up of about 57 villages and communities. It lies between the latitudes 5 24lN and 5 30lN and between the longitudes of 7 32lE and 7 37lE.

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.

Demographics

The population of Ikwuano during the 2006 census was 137,993. The area is inhabited primarily by the Igbo people.

Climate

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%

Economy

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 a major supplier of food for Abia State. It is 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. Infact, Ikwuano is situated in the palm belt of Eastern Nigeria. Other important economic engagements of the Ikwuano people are hunting, craftsmanship and wood carving.

Presently, there are a number of medium-sized industries such as the oil palm mills at Amawom in Oboro, Elemaga in Ibere and the Ekeleme Oil Mill. A Rubber foam manufacturing industry is located at Ahuwa. The Ekeleme textile factory (under construction) and Lachunc soap factory are at Amawom. Roberts Asbestos Factory is located at Umudike. Okwuenyi Factory; an agro-based food manufacturing industry is also on stream.

Villages grouped according to clans

The four clans of Ikwuano have a number of villages in their respective domains. They are listed as follows :

- 𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗠/𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗞𝗔

• Amaegbu

• Ariam Elu-Elu

• Ariam Ala-Ala

• Azunchai

• Ekpiri Elu-Elu

• Ekpiri Ala-Ala

• Ekwelu

• Ndieke

• Ndiokoro

• Ndiorie

• Obeagwu

• Obeama

• Oboni I

• Oboni II

• Upa

• Usaka Ukwu

- 𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗘

• Amuru

• Elemaga

• Iberenta

• Ihim

• Inyila

• Isiala

• Itunta

• Iyalu

• Nkalunta

• Ngwugwo

• Obuohia

• Obuoru

• Umuemenike

• Umulu

• Umuokwe

- 𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗢

• Ahuwa

• Amaoba Ikputu

• Amaoba Ime

• Amawom

• Aro Ajatakiri

• Ekebedi

• Isiala

• Ndoro

• Nnono

• Ntalakwu

• Ogbuebulle

• Okwe

• Umuariaga

• Umudike

• Umugbalu

• Umuigu

• Umuokwo

- 𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗞𝗢

• Ahaba

• Amizi

• Awomukwu

• Azuiyi

• Iziugwu Arizi

• Nchara

• Obuohia Okike

• Oloko

• Umugo

• Usaka Eleogu

Educational Institutions

• Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

• National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike

• Oboro Secondary School, Ikwuano

• Ikwuano Secondary School, Ariam

• Ibere Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Ahia Orie, Ibere

• Wesley Seminary, Ndoro Oboro

Notable people

* Buchi Atuonwu, Nigerian reggae gospel artiste
* Ashley Nwosu (late), Nollywood actor
* Kenneth Omeruo, Nigerian footballer
* Frank Dallas (late), Nollywood actor
* Samson Omeruah (late), former Governor of Anambra State
* Emeka Okoro - Nollywood actor and gospel artiste
* Henry Ikoh, Nigerian politician
* Ogbonnaya Oji (late), ex-Biafran commander
* Chigul, Nigerian comedienne and actress
* Augustine Ukattah, Nigerian politician

See also

* List of villages in Abia State

References

{{LGAs and communities of Abia State

Local Government Areas in Abia State
Populated places in Abia State