Introducing the debut of an in-depth chronicle of the emergence of Mbaise. To take us into this history, is a son of the soil who has grown through the thick and thin, appreciating the fabrics of its components
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Surv. Dr Ifeanyi Washington, Okezie is an academic and trained Geomatics professional across the globe (Nigeria, South Africa and USA). (mnis. mrics, msagi, msagc, mapsg, mnsps, mfig,& mcgi). He is married with children.
Academia / Professional Surveyor.
With few certifications across the globe
Member Nigerian Institution of Surveyor.
Delegate to NIS-FIG Comm. 2 (2021-2023).
Member Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor.
Member South African Geomatics Institute.
Member South African Geomatics Council.
Member Association of Petroleum Surveying and Geomatics (APSG) USA.
Member National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) USA.
Member Federation of International Surveyor’s (FIG).
Member Canadian Geomatics Institute.
Mentor Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute, Australia currently Geomatics Council of Australia.
INTRODUCTION
Mbaise is a regional area located in Imo State, South Eastern part of Nigeria. It is located in the heart of Igboland and contains several towns. The name “Mbaise” is derived from five clans: Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihite and Oke Ovoro. Mbaise (three local government areas) covers an area of about 404 km²: Aboh Mbaise (185 km²), Ahiazu Mbaise (111 km²), Ezinihitte Mbaise (108 km²).
HISTORY
Before 1902 when the Aro expedition was carried out. . Mbaise was not brought under British rule by the British colonial authorities to overthrow the Aro slave trading oligarchy.
By 1906, after the operation was finished, Mbaise, now consisting of three local government areas (Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte), was merged under British rule, leaving the impression of a local government.
So that the whole area would survive.
With the clan under effective control, a native court was established at Obohia in 1907, but under pressure from Eze Cyril Akagbulem Unamka of Amuzi and Chief Nwaturuocha of Nguru, the court was moved to Nguru in 1909.
In 1929, the Nguru court was destroyed as a result of the civil war. District Courts were later opened in Obohia, Itu, Ife and Enyiogogu in response to the increasingly popular “Home Rule” movement of the 1930s.
Unification of people under a common political and administrative unit was secured in 1941. Until 1945, groupings of autonomous regions were loosely formed.
The group councils recognized in Mbaise and the number of their autonomous regions were: Ezinihitte – 16; Agbaja – 7; Oke-Ovoro – 4; Ekwerazu – 6 and Ahiara -6 (source: Ekechi 1989:179) More autonomous communities have appeared in recent years.
Three municipalities were created from the councils. Ahiazu LGA was a merger of Ahiara and Ekwerazu councils and Aboh LGA was a merger of Oke-Ovoro and Agbaja councils.
Ezinihitte remained separate except for the separation of two small villages, Isu Obiangwu and Umuohiagu, which joined Ngor-Okpala from the Agbaja area of Mbaise.
Mbaise is divided into three local government areas namely: Aboh-Mbaise, Ezinhitte Mbaise and Ahiazu. Mbaise.
Aboh-Mbaise is home to Nkwogu, one of the first and most prominent markets in Mbaise.
Aboh-Mbaise is also home to Nguru, a very prominent Mbaise town.
Ahiazu Mbaise has three prominent markets – Afor -Ogbe Ahiaras – which has Mbaise country the biggest albaise, Afor-Oru ka Ahieras Mbaise and Nkwoala Umuokrika which is the biggest market and well-known place in Ekwerazu.
Although Nkwo Mbaise is the most popular market, it is located in Ezinihitte Mbaise.
Mbaise has more than 1 million people today.
Subsistence farming is still the main activity. The main agricultural products are yams, cassava, palm fruits, vegetables and fruits.
But since the end of the civil war in Biafra and Nigeria, the drive to improve living standards, academic excellence and entrepreneurship have contributed to Ndi Mbaise’s fortunes in unprecedented ways. Mbaise has a legion of doctors, lawyers, civil servants, teachers, artists, engineers, geomaticians, scientists and entrepreneurs.
Mbaise also has one of the largest numbers of Catholic priests in the world.
In addition, some famous former priests come from the region.
The most famous are Eze Enyeribe Onuoha, the current traditional leader of Ihitteaforukwu, ruler of Umuchieze Autonomous Community, and Sylvester Eze Ebisike, a former management consultant and prolific writer and author of many books and publications.
The Ndi-Mbaise are keen travelers and adventurers.
Entertaiment
Mbaise had one of the best highlife music entertainers in history (THE ORIENTAL BROTHERS) led by our own Sir Warrior. One of the most popular local music in Mbaise is Abigbo, we also have others like ekereagwu, Ikoro, Ese, Mgba and ekpe to name a few (popular danced titled Men and Kings in Mbaise) who have our own HRM Eze DR. Sir Desmond Ogugua (late) as the best ever.
This exposition will be delving into some important activities carried out by the people of mbaise, highlighting marriage, burial and other significant practices that this great people harbor. To review, suggest, oppose and defend them.
In our next edition, I shall be taking you into some interesting, salient but not searched out expositions that have kept this town, Mbaise in the horizon of great history.
Use: @onyeanagbankili. for comments, critics, suggestions and contributions.
