Awkuzu is a town in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state of Nigeria.
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The story of Origin of Awkuzu is not quite clear. A school of thought believes Awkuzu was one of the progenies of the fifth child of Eri (Eru / Nri) his only daughter called Iguedo, who is also said to have born the founders of Ogbunike, Umuleri and Nando. But this assumption have been criticized lately as 'fallacy' on the ground that Eri was also the father of the founder of Umuleri. Those on this side of argument believed that Iguedo is from the lineage of the Ogiso(Bini) and was a famous and most popular wife of Eri. She initially married Nnamenyi to whom she bore Ogbunike and Awkuzu prior to her marriage to Eri whom she begot Umueri. At the death of Eri, She married Iru and bore Nando.
Awkuzu which is the colonial corruption of the name, "OKUZU" is presently located in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State and is bounded by Umunya and Nteje towns also in Oyi LGA, Ifite-Dunu,Ukpo and Ukwulu in Dunukofia LGA and Nando and Igbariam towns in today's Anambra East LGA,and Abba in Njikoka LGA.
Awkuzu is divided into three main parts: Ezi, Ifite and Ikenga sections according to seniority or birth order. Like most Nri-Awka towns of Igboland, each section is further divided into sub-villages. Ezi has Iru-Anyika, Aka-Ezi, Igbu and Ozzu. While Ezi-Nkwo, Nkwelle-Awkuzu, Umuobi, Ukpomachi and Dusogu are in Ikenga segment of the town. Ifite section is made up of Amabo, Isioji, and Ifite-Umueri villages with their sub-villages.
As a community, Awkuzu is famed for its large population which gave it the sobriquet as "Ibilibe Ogada" (the locust swarming fame), a title that steamed from 'glorified' local disputes with neighbors but now attached to the traditional stool.
The origin of common leadership in Awkuzu predates the colonialists' entry into the Niger Delta and Igbo heartland in the 1800s. First, the people have had recognized primateship religious priesthood authority which was exercised by the Eze Ana who holds the Ofo-Awkuzu. Until about the 1700, when one of her powerful men, Mgbako was initiated into the Ozo-Atulu-Ukpa-Okala by his Umunya warrior friend, Igboegbunam Odezuluigbo (who himself received the title at Nri Anaocha), the priest of Ana provided political adjudicature as well as religious headship.
The title of the traditional ruler of Awkuzu is called "Nnamenyi" which was given to Late Chief Anaegboka Odife in the 1970s. He was succeeded by Chief Ogamba and later by the Late Obi John Ejikeme Nebeolisa.
The title of the traditional ruler of Awkuzu is called "EZE AWKUZU". this title is reserved for the heirs to the Ibilibe Ogaga throne; the Aganama royal family of Awkuzu. The Nnamenyi title is only a chieftaincy title created by the Anambra state government for political and administrative purposes for communities in the state who did not have Royal Thrones. Obi John Ejikeme Nnebolisa never was enthroned on the Nnamenyi Chieftaincy line as that title was fraudlently brought into Awkuzu by mischief makers for which they paid dearly for that sacrilege. Obi John Ejikeme Nnebolisa was rightfully and traditionally enthroned as "OBI NA EJELU EZE OZI" by the EZE of Awkuzu EZE AGANAMA who died only recently. Making the throne vacant as I write.
Awkuzu is blessed with many well known sons and daughters like Most Rev Dr. Emmanuel Otteh; The Most Rev Dr. Maxwell Anikwenwa [OFR]; Chief Mrs. Oyibo Odinammadu MON, Prof Alice Ndu, Barr. O.C. Igwealor; Dr. Chudi Chira, Chiefs E.O. Ojemeni and Frank Oramulu; Prof Amaechi Akwanya; Prof Chris Nweke; Prof Josephat Oguejiofor; Uzochukwu Amakom, PhD; Dr Kitt Emetarom,Sir Lawrence Ndu (late); Barr.(Engr) Fredrick Anekwe Ozoemena; Chief L. N. Ojemeni [MFR]. Ken Igboanugo PhD; Chief Godwin Emeka Chinwuba; Cyril Udebunu, PhD; Barth Chidili, PhD; Chief Ignatius Ojemeni; Dr Alex Orakwe; Dr. Felix Chira, Chief Akpu Agbata (Mojo), Chief Aaron Akabike (Ododeze), Emmanuel Obi and the international Taekwondo athlete Ms Ekene Mary Rose Chilokwu[1].
Others are Chief L.N. Ezeani, Ichie J.N.A Nnanweuba, A.U. Chilokwu, ENGR. Cyril O. Ofiaeli, Chief Michael Ogbogu, Chief Paul Ike Ogbogu, Dr A. Chira and Chief Ajide all of blessed memory.