THE HISTORY OF OBOSI Obosi is a town in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. A hotly contested site during the Nigerian Civil War, the town of about 140,000 people is one of the most densely populated in West Africa. Obosi and her related towns: Presently Obosi Ukwala is situated in a hilly area, bordered by Onitsha to the North-west, Nkpor to the North-east and Oba to the south-east, all part of the old Idemili local government area, with the exception of Onitsha. Oral history shows that Obosi people originated from Arochukwu via Ojoto. Some ancient people of Arochukwu migrated into Oze, Ora-Eshi, and Nri then found Ojoto, Ihiala and Alo. Some Ojoto people that left founded Obosi, Nnewi-Umudim, and Ibuzo and Umuru-Ukpo. The founder of Obosi was a hunter named Adike from Ojoto and the word Obosi came from Mbosisi meaning falling apart of soil (erosion prone soil). The name Mbosisi was given to the land by Adike because of the difficulties he encountered with in building his house due to the easily eroded soil. Adike and his generation: Adike, the founder of Obosi, was the son of Okpala, who had other sons who permanently resided in Ojoto. For this relationship he is still known as and referred to as Adike-Okpala. One of the grandsons of Adike was also named Okpala. Listed below is the genealogy of Adike. Okpala, Ezeani and Okpo are the first sons of the first son of Adike, named Oba. Ota, Ura, Makum, Uruowulu, Ugama and Ire are the sons of Adikes son, named Okudu. In addition to these nine descendants of Adike, another family (named Chima), came from the western side of the river Niger to settle at Obosi. Among these ten families, Ota, Umuru, Okpala, Ezeani, Okpo and Chima formed one quarter, now known as Umuota, meaning the Otas children, while the remaining four, Mmakwum, Ugamuma, Urowulu and Ire each formed a quarter. Ito-Ogbo in Obosi: The history Ito-ogbo in Obosi started about 400 AD. It is a unique event in which 80- to 82-year-old citizens are honored by their families, friends, well-wishers and the whole village, and is held every three years. The Ito-ogbo is a celebration of life and death for the beneficiaries long life, and also a preview of their funeral, which gives them the right to enjoy with everyone. On the day of the occasion, they all dress in their best traditional outfits and congregate in the town square, called Afor-Adike, where the traditional rites and celebration are held, with the king in attendance. After the traditional rites are completed, males are given the title of Ogbueshi, with a red cap, and the ladies Ogbueshi-Nwanyi, also with a red scarf, and all the celebrants go home and feast, drink, dance and have a merry time with friends and family. Royalty: Obosi comprises five quarters or villages, namely Umuota, Ire, Ugamuma, Mmakwum and Urowulu. Umuota is home to the extended kinship of Okwasala and Ezeagu (meaning children of King Shime). King Shime was a grandson of Adike who migrated from Alo to the west, setting up settlements including Ojoto, the town just south-east of Obosi. As such the Kings of Obosi are drawn from Umuota in two rotating royal families. Obosi is originally spelt Abutshi. Some of the great Kings of Obosi were: Igwe Anene, who ruled in the 19th century; he is known as the Eze that brought civilisation to Obosi by cooperating with the whites; Igwe Kodilinye, known for his fierce fight and repelling the invasion by the Onicha; Igwe (King) Iweka I, who ruled in the early 20th century. He constructed the Iweka Road, which extends from Obosi to river NIger and ends at the banks of the River Niger. Several landmarks, such as Iweka Road, Iweka Halt and Upper Iweka, are named after him. One of his successors was his first son, Isaac, who was crowned, Igwe Iweka II, in the early 1970s. The current king is Igwe A.C. Iweka III. Veneration of Idemili: One of the gods of Obosi is Idemili, a river that flows through the whole length of the town. Historically, Obosi people honoured the Royal Python, which is dedicated to Idemili. Killing such a python is considered great sacrilege, and the perpetrator is required to bury the python with the full funeral rites normally reserved for a human being. Obosi town is known as the root and the foundation of Christian evangelism in Igbo land. Although Evangelism began in Onitsha, but could not spread for 25 years. During this twenty-five-year period, the Obosi indigenes refused acceptance of Christianity. But once accepted by Obosi people, Christian evangelism spread like wildfire in Igbo land. Notable evangelists are Rev. Abel Ekpunobi, Rev. Ejindu, Mr. Timothy Eneli, PA G. O. C. Mortanya, Bishop Nkemena, and Rev. Ekwulugo. The mother church or sanctuary of evangelism is St. Andrews Church. Biafran War: The town was a strategic battlefield during the Nigerian Civil War of the late 1960s, during which most buildings were destroyed. It was the site of heavy artillery bombardment from the Nigerian forces stationed on its western border. The secessionist Biafran forces shelled the city from its eastern and northern border. Population growth and development: Since the war, Obosi has had major immigration from elsewhere in Nigeria, such that only one in twenty residents is considered indigenous to Obosi. Including the extensive housing districts of Awada, Mgbuka, ime-Obosi, Odume, Enekwasumpu, Achaputa, Nkpikpa, Ozala, and Little Wood. The school of health technology, Electrical Material Dealers Market, Anambra Broadcasting Service Awada, and Minaj Broadcast International have been important in the development of the town. As of 2007 it has an estimated population of 144,203 in the densely populated city.[1] Notable people from Obosi include: Late Chief Dr G.C. Mbanugo CFR (Ogene Obosi) Proprietor St Thomas Hospital, Asata, Enugu. Former Chairman NCNC National Working Committee, Eastern Region, Nigeria. Former Chairman ENDC (Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation) Former Chairman Eastern Finance Corporation. Former Grand Patron Nigeria Peoples Party(NPP) Late Hon Chief Justice George Nkemena Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Commonwealth Secretary General. Ben Osuno (former chairman opec board of governors) Senator Mike Ajaegbo (Ede Obosi), Chief Chimezie Ikeazor SAN, Justice Kenneth Keazor Sir Keith Ajegbo (knighted by the Queen for services to education in Britain) Rob Iweka SAN, Chief Osita Chidoka (Ike Obosi) [(Former Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria) (Nigerian Federal Minister of Aviation)] Amaechi Muonagor (movie actor) Bishop Peace Okonkwo (Trem) Tony Oneweek (musician) Professor Paul Chuke (a noted neurologist). Dr. Noel Ikedionwu (orthopaedic surgeon). Arc. Edmund Okechukwu Onochie (Retired Director of Town Planning/Chief Planning Officer of former East Central State, Nigeria/The first indigenous Chief Planning Officer of Eastern Nigeria).
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 06:30:46 +0000
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