Amaigbo

Amaigbo
town
Amaigbo Location in Nigeria
Coordinates:
Country	Nigeria
State	Imo state
Time zone	WAT (UTC+1)

Amaigbo is a large town in Imo State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of Nwangele Local Government Area. Amaigbo is regarded by many historians as the cradle of Igbo civilization. There exists the speculation of settlement from antiquity among the Orlu and Isu group. Within this zone, Amaigbo stands out with complex sophistication that ushers valid insight into Igbo settlements of old as well as the evolution of the cultural, linguistic, behavioral and psychological patterns that give the Igbo a distinct outlook. Some historians noted that with population explosion, people from this region spread rapidly and founded other parts of Igboland. The axis in question constitutes the upper half of the "Southern Igbo" involving the Isu, Orsu, Orlu and Ihiala group.

There have been postulations of different origins of the Igbo; however, serious studies based on testable facts clarify that the Igbo have lived in their country for tens of millennia. The archeological finds at Ugwuele Okigwe make an insightful proof of human activities in the theatre of Igbo civilization more than two hundred and fifty thousand years ago. Evidence of man-made tools like axe, pottery and carved stones dug up at the present day Enugu and Ebonyi states establish the credibility of the habitation of Igbo for a very long time. In other words, traditions of Igbo origin favor Igbo genesis in Igboland.

According to Professor Oriji as well as Forde and Jones, the Isu group of the Igbo nation would appear to be the largest in population and seem to occupy a contiguous stretch of land from the center of Igboland expanding to all directions. This implies that the initial Igbo cultural and structural ideas likely evolved from the Isu. Their spread has helped to harmonize the features of the Igbo Cultural Area. In the Orlu section of Isu that claim autochthony for instance, a primogenitor was recollected of the name Igbo Ngidi, who was spiritually and scientifically advanced. He founded Ama Igbo [The abode of the Igbo].

From Ama Igbo in Orlu, he instituted various blacksmithing centers, agricultural practices, commerce and religious oracles. He further established his ideas at a place he called Igbo Ukwu[Igbo the Great] in praise of his success. It was from these places of initial causes (Ama Igbo and Igbo Ukwu) that the Igbo multiplied and occupied the present-day Igboland. It is recollected that Igbo people called themselves Umu Igbo Ngidi [Children of Igbo Ngidi], which was shortened to Umu Igbo. Today, Igbo means the people, the language and the land. Etymologically, the word "Igbo" connotes "human community".

Notable people

Dick Tiger - late boxer, The great King Jaja of Opobo - Sold into slavery in pre-colonial Nigeria, Chief Dr. Walter Ofonagoro of Umuobi - former Minister of Information and Culture (Federal Republic of Nigeria) and former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Chief Sir Abel Anozie Anyiam - of eluowerri ubahu Amaigbo -former Chairman of Nkwerre/Isu LGA - Traditional prime minister of Amaigbo, Prince Chukwuemeka Collins Onuoha - son of the late EZE Collins Onuoha Eze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Declan Uzoma DIG RTD ( the first ever Deputy Inspector General of Police from Imo State and the second ever from the South East), Prince Augustine Ofonagoro of Umuobi (Managing Director of Stanwal Securities LTD Lagos) It is Headed by HRH Eze Nelson Nwosu the Igbo of Amaigbo, Mr. William Nwihim (founder and Fmr. Chairman Amaigbo Community Bank now Merit Microfinance Bank, Chuma Mmeka - of alaenyi-ofeahia Amaigbo - actor, poet, writer, humanitarian and child protection expert, Mr Ben Ihegboro of the famous "black parents with white child, Nmachi Samara Ihegboro". The town has an official post office.

References

Additional information by Concept Sly.