Umueri
Okebo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname: Umueri Ovuakwu (Okebo City) | |
  Umueri Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 6°20′N 6°50′E / 6.333°N 6.833°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Anambra |
| LGA | Anambra East |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 1,500,000 |
| • Ethnicity | Igbo |
| • Religion | Christianity Odinani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Umueri, also known and pronounced as Umuleri, is a town in Anambra State of southeastern Nigeria. The settlement is populated primarily Igbo, and has an estimated population of 1,500,000.[1] The forebears are widely acknowledged as the first settler in Omambala valley.
The construction of the advanced Anambra International Cargo Airport in 2021 brought further commerce into the area, and strengthened the town's economy.[2]
Geography
Umueri is located within the Anambra Valley, and bordered by the Anambra River and the Anam communities in the north, Nteje to the south, Aguleri and Nando in the east and Nsugbe to the west.
Division and administration
There are traditionally three clans inhabiting the region: the Ezi Umueri, the Ikenga Umueri, and the Ivite Umueri.
The pre-colonial Umueri government was a republic, but with the influence of the Bini Kingdom, it changed to a monarchy.
Below is the structure of the present Umueri administration:
- Igwe in-Council - the traditional ruler and his Cabinet
- Council of Elders - the elders of the community
- Umuotu - A group that helps in implementing laws in the community
- Town Union - Umuleri General Assembly
Religion
Prior to the coming of Europeans, Umueri people practiced traditional religions, worshipping various deities. However, Christianity became the dominant religion about a century ago. Currently, 85% of the town's population are Christian, primarily Catholic and Anglican.
There are several churches, the oldest of which, the St Immanuel Anglican Church, was founded in 1904.
References
- ↑ Nwabunwanne, Ifediora Christopher. Anambra Day Break Series.
- ↑ "Hope Arises for Anambra Cargo Airport – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- Biafra Diboh's Blogs- AkukoEri
- Tochukwu Henry "Incipience of Migration"
- Nwabunwanne Ifediorah Christopher. “Umueri Head of Ancient Umueri Clan”
- Nwabunwanne Ifediorah Christopher. "Anambra Day Break Series"
- Tochukwu Henry Chidebelu. "The Abode Series"
- Isichei Elizabeth. “A History of Igbo People” (London, ENGLAND: MacMillan, 1976.)
- Patrick Chidalu Chukwuma. "The Okebo City of Nigeria"
- Patrick Chidalu Chukwuma. "Okebo City Portal" (Bachelor of Computer Science, University of Wollongong Australia