BY SAM EKPE
Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia, Agukwu-Nri, Enugwu-Agidi as well as other communities like Oraeri, Neni, Enugwu Ezike, Umudioka and Ogwashi  have Umunri ancestral origin.

Nri was the deified royal progenitor of Umunri clan comprising the above mentioned communities. Nri had five (5) sons, the oldest who was Okpalanakana Ukabia (the ancestral father of Enugwu-Ukwu and Okpala Nri (Paternal Head of Nri). The other sons of Nri are Okpalanriam (the ancestral father of Nawfia).

Menri (the ancestral father of Akamkpisi and Agukwu jointly referred as Nri town), Aguiyi (the ancestral father of Enugwu-Agidi) and Nwora Oruora in that order of seniority. With the demise of Nwora Oruora in very early times due to internecine war, the remaining four towns became constituted into Umunri clan.

Also, with the demise of Nri, his first and eldest son, Okpalanakana Ukabia by reasons of his natural status as Okpala Nri (the first son) succeeded Nri as the first Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri.

Enugwu-Ukwu is traditionally made up of two (2) large quarters known as Ifite and Akaezi. Assets and liabilities are shared in common between these two units.

Ifite is further divided into two units of: Ifite-Enu and Ifite-Ani. Ifite-Enu is made up of three villages, Osili, Awovu and Unikpaleke villages while Ifite-Ani comprises of eleven villages namely:- Uruogbo, Ire, Urualor, Uruokwe, Orofia, Umuokpaleri, Umuatula, Enuagu, Umuatuora, Akiyi and Umuakwu.

On the other segment, Akaezi is divided into two, namely:  Uruekwo and Avomimi, Orji and Urunnevo

For administrative convenience, threes villages that constitute the two units are further divided up to the present twenty-six village units and forty-six wards. The Traditional Authority adopts the kingship title of Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri whereas the headship of the town’s Development Union adopts the title of President General.

Further down the Traditional Institution is the Traditional Prime Minister who is appointed or adopted by the Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri. He is the next in rank to the Eze. In the event of the demise of the Eze or his office becoming vacant he acts in his stead.

Summoning cabinet and traditional Council meetings, co-ordinating traditional/cultural events, and organizing the administration and welfare of the town in conjunction and consultation with the Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union and other institutions until the next Eze is elected. The Igwe-In-Council appoints a Secretary who is the head of the Secretariat.

Enugwu-Ukwu is a unique area,  sometimes described as the “Igbo Heart Land”.  A look at the map of the  Igbo Cultural areas shows Enugwu-Ukwu right in the center. “Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri” has been proved to have wielded control over the ritual, political and economic activities of older Igbo settlements.

Although Igbo customs are basically the same, variations exist in different cultural areas especially between Western and Eastern Igbo. Nevertheless the uniformity persists due to the past ritual and political activities of NRI people as iterant priests and diplomats.

The basic culture of the people is fully identified in their Kola nut customs, music, dance, art-craft, and oral literature. Prominent among cultural activities that socialize Enugwu-Ukwu people are “(1) Ikpo-ji, (2) Olili Onwuasator, (3) Local rituals and (4) Igu-Aro which is popularly referred to as Ofala is some Igbo land.

A close look at the town, presents a clear picture of a people who, in their strong belief that nothing in the nature of manna falls from heaven, have made giant strides in the development of the area.

In spite of ecological problems bordering on erosion menace, which is the lot of the government, infrastructural facilities and other basic amenities which abound, are easily traceable to self-help development efforts of the people, more so, when it is realized that government alone cannot provide all the needs of the people. These projects include roads, electricity, educational and health facilities, markets and industrial establishments.

The traditional ruler of the town the late Igwe Osita Agwuna III Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri, a former Nationalist who was hounded by the colonial authorities for delivering a lecture titled A Call for Revolution passed on five years ago”.

It is one of the ironies of Nigerian history and commitment of the nation’s leadership to give honour to whom it is due that this titan of the Independence struggle is yet to be honoured in any form in Nigeria. No national honour was given to him before he died and even posthumously till date.

All our attempts at giving Nigerian national honours will continue to be a child’s play and mockery of the real essence of the exercise until the contributions of icons like Osita Agwuna to the Nigerian independence struggle are recognized and appreciated.

The town recently adopted a new constitution which went through all the processes laid down by the stakeholders in the community. The constitution has been signed by the Peter Obi Administration and has become operational in the town.  Following the provision of the new constitution, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ralph Ekpeh, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri Okpalanakana Ukabia was elected on February 26, 2011.

The Igwe was granted certificate of recognition by Governor Peter Obi on July 29, 2011. The Igwe has since swung into action and constituted his cabinet and the various traditional institutions including the Traditional Council.