HISTORY OF OYI Oral history: The origin of Oyi people is the same for all the OLU sub group of the Eri-Awka Igbo. The Olus are the distinct river-side Igbo people of the lower Anambra plain (Anambra River Basin), encompassing the entire old Anambra Division of the 1920s to the 80s, parts of todays Awka North LGA of Anambra State and the excision of the former Uzo-Uwani LGA of now Enugu State. A number of Olu people also speak Igala language. In fact, Igala kingdom is considered to have been founded by an Olu refugee prince. Olu trace their origin to Eri (Eru, Nri, Nru). Onitsha and Ogbaru areas by character and dialect, are sometimes considered as Olu (though with specific associations). It is said that the more ancient forms of Igbo Tradition and Cultural practices like music, marriage ceremony and religious worships are those still practiced by the Olu. Lifestyle: Anthropology-wise, Oyi people like other Olu people are usually tall, care-free and socially progressive people (Read the burial of Oramalidike and discourse of the Head of the Nze-Na-Ozo with Ozo initiates (Ndi-Nze) in Ozo Title: An Ancestral Club In The Igbo Culture by C.N.C Igboegbuna, published by Snaap Press, Enugu 1984). Olu life used to be nature-centered (agrarian of water and land) until the whiteman upset all that with his civilisation (Read Things Fall Apart (1958); No Longer At Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964) all by Chinua Achebe, Heinemann African Writers Series. See also Political structures in the novel (Things Fall Apart#cite note-12). Olu or riverine Igbo have very elaborate ceremonies, festivities and roles. They are quite egalitarian in belief and republican in their political pursuits. Olus practice a Jewish-like Kabbalah (Cabbala) system of self-actualisation which is embedded in the apical Nze-na-Ozo tradition of Onye chizue; o bulu Mmoo, bulukwa Mmadu. Translated, this simply says that the Ozo initiation is a threshold vista of self-distinction that transforms the initiates into both man and spirit or spirit-man. This ancient Ozo system called Ozo-Atulukpa-Okala was instituted in Umunya as far back as the late 16th Century by a war chieftain named Igboegbunammadu Onenulu (Ozo-Odezulu-Igbo l). He equally bequeated the title to his friends within the Olu sub-clans, from Ogbunike to Awkuzu and it is severally called and known as Ozo-Ndi-Ichie, Nnekwu Ozo, etc. Council history: Oyi is a Local Government Area of Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. The towns that make up the local government are Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Umunya and Nteje. Oyi is in the epicenter of the present Anambra State and was first created by the Civilian Administration of Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo in the 1980s with Umunya as its Headquarters. It took its name from the pacific and famous Oyi River that flows northwards into Omambala (Anambra River). When the military sacked the civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari under which Chief Nwobodo was governor in 1983, Oyi and its constituent towns were drawn back into the old Anambra Local Government Area with Otuocha as headquarters. Later, under the administration of Col Nnameka Akonobi as Governor under Gen Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Enugu became a State and the former Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area towns of Omor, Omasi, Umueje, Umelum, Igbakwu, Umumbo, Anaku and Ifite Ogwari were merged with their more Olu brothers in Oyi. Nteje became the headquarters and has remained so even after the excision of the towns into now Ayamelum Local Government Area. Etiological Appellations for Towns in Oyi UMUNYA: Ebo NEli, Nwajeli Mba-Ezi-Nabo-gbali-Onye-Ora ghalii (A town of ten settlements, Trendsetter of Peace). AWKUZU: Okuzu Ibilibe Ogada (Okuzu of swarming locust fame). NTEJE: Nteje Abogu (Nteje of peaceful though strong and warlike nature). OGBUNIKE: Ogbunike-Okpala Iguedo (Ogbunike, first son of Iguedo). NKWELLE-EZUNAKA: Nkwele, son of Ezunaka (a wealthy craft artist). Popular places and sites Ogbunike Caves The most popular place of visit in Oyi is the Ogbunike Caves[1], listed by UNESCO as a world Heritage Site. The cave is situated in the Ogba hills, across the Ugwu-Aga Escarpment, Umunya by the Enugu/Onitsha Expressway. It lies in the coordinates of N06 11 11 and E06 54 21. Umunya Aparition Site Umunya Aparition Site during the Messages in the 90s, is considered the highest human traffic to the Eastern Nigeria, since the visits of Pope John Paul II to Onitsha. The Site is esconced within the Mmili Nwaonye Artificial Spring of Iyi-Ogwe Farm by the Onitsha/Enugu Expressway, Umunya. It hosts a moderate Catholic Chapel, used by tourists to conduct prayers and adoration. Urunda Crescendo This scenic depression is a wonderful expression of a natural stadium. It lies depressed to the Ugwu-Aga table, close to the Ogba. It has a cool spring and a youth center. There are meanders of brooks and streams across the area and one of them enters a hole to the unknown. Prominent citizens The illustrious children of Oyi include: HRH Igwe (Prof) J.C. Menakaya[2] -First Igbo Education Officer [3]; Rt. Hon. Dr. Chuba Okadigbo -former Senate President and Vice Presidential Candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel Otteh - Catholic Bishop (Emeritus) of the Diocese of Issele-Uku; The Most Rev. Dr. Maxwell Anikwenwa [OFR] Emeritus - Dean Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Archbishop of the Province of the Niger & Bishop of Awka; Rev. Paul Nwachukwu -General Superintendent, Grace of God Church, Inc.; Dr. Ndubuisi Tim Menakaya -former Federal Minister of Health; Prof I.C.I. Okafor -a Material Scientist; Cyprian Ekwensi, MFR -Accomplished Writer/Poet [4]; Pete Edochie, MON - Art Commentator and Actor; Dr. Chike Obidigbo -Industralist, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [5]; Ogbuefi C.N.C. Igboegbuna (ODELORA) -Author and book publisher; Mrs Oyibo Odinammadu, MON [6] -First Republic Politician and former Vice Presidential Candidate of the defunct Unity Party of Nigerian (UPN); Chief Tochukwu Onwubufo, SAN -former Solicitor General of Nigeria; Akunwafo Ezigbo Obiligbo -Folklore Musician; Mr. Mcroy Chilokwu -Administrator; Dr. B.O. Uchendu - Former Chief Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu);Prof. Augustine Ilochi Okafor, SAN -Politician and former Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Dr. Okechukwu Odunze, PhD -former Chairman, Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Oko; Hon Celestine Nnaemeka Ughanze -Politician (former member, Federal House of Reps); Chief Mike Nwakalo -Politician; Rev Fr Dr Ikenga K.E.Oraegbunam- Priest, Lawyer and Law Lecturer with 3 doctorate degrees, etc. Oyi/Ayamelum is a Federal Constituency represented by Hon Chinedu Eluemuno at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja. Oyi have had many Council Chairmen including Chief Okonkwo Onuigbo (from Omor), Barr Solomon Ekwenze and Hon. Edwin Aghadiuno. Oyi hosts the Tansian University and NYSC Orientation Camp, Umunya; St Monicas College (formerly, Teachers Training College), Ogbunike; Anambra Integrated Agric Farm and St Stephens Catholic Brotherhood, Nkwelle-Ezunaka (near the Basilica of Holy Trinity, Onitsha); Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje. References • Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart 1959. London: Penguin, 2006 • Achebe, Chinua. No Longer At Ease, Heinemann African Writers Series, London 1960. • Achebe, Chinua. Arrow of God, Heinemenn African Writers Series, London 1964. • Floyd, B. N. and Menakaya (ed) Macmillan Junior Atlas For Nigeria, Macmillan Press. London, 1965 • Okee Igboegbunam Onenulu-Ozo: Okpuru and Urunda - Echoes of The Dead Forgotten (unpublished), 2004 • Igboegbuna, C.N.C. Ozo Title: An Ancestral Club In The Igbo Culture, Snaap Press Ltd. Enugu, 1994 • Igboegbunam, Okechukwu Lawrence: Sustainable Tourism Development For Anambra State Nigeria (Application of Leadership Concept in setting up an Eco-tourism Potential, Plateau Rivulet Trail), Institute Optopreneur, Malaysia. 2009 • Obidigbo, Chike and Igboegbuna C.N.C (eds), Umunya: A Typical Igbo Community Charting A New Order, Hardis & Dromedas Ltd, Enugu, 2009. • LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN ANAMBRA STATE dated July 21, 2007; accessed October 4, 2007
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 08:07:03 +0000
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