Ogbunike

Ogbunike is a town in the Oyi local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It is located about 15 kilometers east of Onitsha at (6.20, 6.40) and between 11th and 14th kilometer markers along the old Onitsha-Enugu road. The new Onitsha-Enugu expressway cuts through its northern border. The town is bordered on the east by Umudioka of the Dunukofia local government area, on the north-east by Umunya and on the north by Nkwelle-Ezunaka (both Oyi local government area). It shares its boundary on the west and south with Ogidi of Idemili North local government area. It has an uneven landscape with fertile soil and sufficient rainfall for a range of biannual plants.

Origin

The general consensus is that Ogbunike was the first son of Iguedo, daughter of Eri. It is said that Eri canoed down the River Anambra and established a place known as Eri-Awka. Ogbunike had two wives, the first bore five children: Agulu (founder of Aguleri); Nri Ifiakuanim; Nri Onugu (founder of Igbariam); Ogbodudu (the founder of Amanuke); and a daughter, Iguedo; the last one bore the founders of Ogbunike: Awkuzu, Nando, Umuleri and Nteje who are today known as the Umu-Iguedo clan. The second Eri's wife, Oboli, gave birth to Onoja who left the Anambra area and became the founder of Igala Land. The people of Ogbunike are known for not killing tortoises as they are regarded as their deities. They also joined Ogidi town in not killing pythons due to very high intermarriage rate between the two neighboring towns. This is also the reason why any dispute between the towns calls for caution.

Divisions

Like most Eri-Awka towns of Igboland, Ogbunike is divided into three main parts: Ezi, Ifite and Ikenga. Each section is further divided into villages.

Traditional leadership

In 1976, John Ositadimma Umenyiora, a son of a Protestant pastor, and a successful businessman, appeared on the scene. The young man in his early forties appeared as a sincere and serious leader to the people of Ogbunike. Umenyiora was unanimously chosen as the first Igwe of the town and was given the name Eze-di-ora-mma I. He built the market stalls in Oye Olisa (formerly known as Afor-igwe ofuu) that later became the only market in Ogbunike. When Umenyiora assumed office as the Igwe, he suppressed the rest. Among previous markets that gave way to Oye-Olisa were: Eke-Olisa (Ukalor), Oye Ukalor, Afor-igwe ofuu (Ukalor), Oye Olamme (Osile), Afor ilo-akpaka (Osile), Eke Aro (Amawa), Nkwo Amawa, Eke Ogba (Ifite), Oye Umueri, and Eke Azu. Igwe Umenyiora also built a modern town hall which was blessed by the Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Francis Arinze.

As Igwe of Ogbunike, he governs the town with the assistance of Ndichie. There are also some men specially selected by him to be his special advisers. He represents Ogbunike before the government. His own tenure of office is for life, unless something extraordinary happens. The office, however, is not hereditary. His successor will be selected only by popular acclamation. In the absence of the Igwe or in an emergency there is Aka Eze Igwe, that is a chief who can handle issues on his behalf pending the return of the Igwe.

Tourism

The town is famous because of the (Ogbunike Caves) — a natural geographical feature located at the periphery of its historical boundaries. According to oral tradition, there was a god called Ogba who lived inside the core (literally, the yolk) of a large rock in the cave. This divinity, despite the opaque nature of the rocky environment, was an all-seeing spirit who could detect crimes, especially theft. In Ogbunike, the cave itself is called Ogba and it was a place in ancient times where people went to declare their innocence of any crime they were accused of. Those proved guilty never returned alive. It was said that a woman undergoing menses cannot enter this cave in the olden days (prior to British East Africa) as they are were unclean.

Notable people from Ogbunike include:

With some other Directors, commissioners and distinguished academicians like Prof Nwaufo- the Deputy VC academics UNIJOS,Engineer Obi Oduche Abuja satellite towns development

External links