Owo, Nigeria
Owo (spelt here as Owoh to differentiate from Owo city in Ondo state) is a town in Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu state, Nigeria. Owoh comprises of six villages: Ashishi, Ohuani, Ishiegu, Ogere, Emene and Ndiagu. The town is an agrarian community thus, about 70% of the population are farmers. Owoh day is celebrated on the 6th of January every year where her culture is displayed and passed onto the next generations for posterity.
History[edit]
Owoh’s history was handed over to the present generation by folklore and there are various accounts to their origin. One account of the folktale has it that their migration to the present location started from Umuatugbuoma in Akegbe Ugwu, a town situated in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu state. While the details of the migration story are sketchy, Legend claims they foremost migrated to Ugbene Nike community in Enugu East LGA where they settled and lived for many years. The second account of the folktale has a divergent view from the former. According to the folktale, Owoh town was founded by the descendants of a hunter, Ugbene, the son of Emeli Agada of Nike community. The descendants later migrated to the present abode because of the presence of Idodo River [1], a river which run through many towns in Nkanuland and beyond. Following their settlement, initial six clans of Owoh were established consisting of Ashishi, Ohuani, Ogere, Ishiegu, Obeagu, and Iheyi. After a fraternal war among them, the last two villages, Obeagu and Iheyi migrated to Eha-Amufu in present day Isi Uzo LGA of Enugu State.
Geography[edit]
Owoh is situated in the southeastern part of Enugu state. The geographical coordinates of Owoh are 6°30'38.8"N 7°41'34.3"E. Her latitude and longitude are 6.506493 and 7.669947 [2] respectively while the post code of the area is 40211 [3]. Owoh is bordered on the North by Ubahu, on the East by Amazu, Umuhuali, Nkalagu and Ubeagu (Igbo Esa towns in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State), on the West by Nike, and on the South by Oruku and Amechi Idodo. Owoh has rich agricultural lands due to her location within the tropical rainforest. Thus, majority of her population are farmers who cultivate majorly crops like yam (the king of crops), cassava, maize, rice, fruits and vegetables such as ugu (fruited pumpkin), anara, ewa, okra among many others. The arable land allows for the growth of many cash crops like palm trees, mango, cashew, ogbono, oranges, and pineapples.
Tradition, culture and religion[edit]
Owoh's tradition and cultural heritage govern the daily lives of her people. These are evident in marriage ceremonies, age grade system, farming, naming ceremonies, entertainment like masquerade (Mmanwu) festival), title taking, burial ceremonies, new yam festival and other social festivities . Owoh also shares numerous cultural traits with her neighbouring communities which are in line with Igbo culture and tradition practiced across Igboland. Before the advent of Christianity, the African Traditional Religion was the dominant religion in the town.
Politics and leadership[edit]
Owoh sons have served Nkanu East and Enugu state in various capacities since the inception of democratic government in Nigeria. These include Bar. Peter Mbah, a former Chief of staff and Commissioner for Finance in Enugu state during the governorship of Chimaroke Nnamani [4] from 1999 to 2007; Late Bar. K.O.K Agbowo, former Commissioner for Budget and Planning under the leadership of governor Sullivan Chime; Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, member representing Nkanu East constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly; Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum, a former Chairman, AmaNkanu development centre.
References[edit]
- ↑ Floyd, Barry (1969). Eastern Nigeria: A Geographical review. London: Springer. p. 90. ISBN 9781349006663. Search this book on
- ↑ "Owo's Latitude and longitude Map". www.latlong.net. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ https://nigeriapostcodes.com/nkanu-east-l-g-zip-codes/.
- ↑ Joe, Asogwa (2001). Governor Chimaroke Nnamani: Challenge of Power. Enugu: FIAC Publishers. ISBN 9780522212. Search this book on
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