Sunday, 5 May 2019

SYNOPTIC HISTORY OF EBENASAA OZUOMEE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY, ORSU ‘LGA’, IMO STATE, NIGERIA


SYNOPTIC HISTORY OF EBENASAA OZUOMEE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY, ORSU ‘LGA’, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Compiled by:
Hon. Chief Eze V.R. – Traditional Prime Minister (2016)
Updated by:
Dr. (High Chief, Sir) Uzodinma AdiriejePresident General (May 2019)

A people without history is like a ship without rudder
A plant without roots
And a person who has no name or parentage.

ORIGIN

Ebenasaa Autonomous Community has a root which stemmed from the Iduu kingdom, the original home of the igbo speaking race about 2000 B.C. and situated in the valley of Anambra and Ezu Rivers now occupied by the modern Aguleri and Umuleri. With the disintegration of the kingdoms due to increase in population, envy and jealousy and inhumanities of man to man, the agents of dispersal caused mass movements of people to look for accommodation and comfort until Ozuruomee, the founding father of this land and his son Amaruru found the fertile land of the Urasi river after crossing the Ofara river in Ukpor (now in Anambra state) before settling at the spot we find Amaruru from the corrupt name “AMAERUERU”. With the increase in human population and the consequent spread and occupation of space, a number of villages emerged spreading their tentacles like the octopus and occupying space in the are we now call Ebenasaa.

LOCATION

Ebenasaa Autonomous Community is the area bounded by Amaruru in the west, Ihitenanasa on the southeast, Ezinifite and Akwaihedi in the north, Lilu in the northwest, and hemmed in by Urasi rivers and Ngwugu stream (except on the southern side) on the Orlu-Umuhu Okabia-Amaruru-Ebenasaa-Orsumenyi-Nnewi Road, through which the major entry into Amaruru and Ebenasaa runs through to Anambra State.

COMPONENT VILLAGES OF EBENASAA OZUOMEE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY

Ebenasaa Autonomous Community is made up of six villages with many kindred. In order of seniority, the villages are:
1.      1.  Amokwe
2.       2. Elugwu Ebenato
3.       3. Umungozi
4.       4. Ihuoma
5.       5. Umuogu
6.       6. Umughadinanwa

Each of the villages has Ndi Ichie and Chiefs that represent them at the Palace/Traditional Ruler’s/Eze’s  (king’s) cabinet. The members of the Executive Council of the Town Union are usually elected from the component villages to serve for a period of non-renewable four-years term. Our Palace/Traditional Rulership (Kingship)/Ezeship passes from one village to the next in the above order of seniority. The rest of the positions in the community follow the same pattern.

EBENASAA AS AN AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY

With increase in human population and changes in governmental systems of administration occasioned by human beings’ zeal for independence propelled by science and technology, the old order yielded place to the new. PatrioTic sentiments were steered and the quest for autonomy filled the air, knocking the state endways it was the ‘Race To Nikki’ 2004 -2011 – eight solid years - of torturous and nerve wracking journey.

On the 23rd day of May, 2011, Ebenasaa was granted autonomy by the Governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim with HRH Michael Okechukwu Abanigbo as the Ezeoha 1 of Ebenasaa Ozuomee Autonomous Community.

LANDMARK DATELINES OF EBENASAA DURING ON GOVERNOR OHAKIM’S ADMINISTRATION

1.       Resolution to seek autonomy (30th of June, 2011)
2.       Ezeship constitution for Ebenasaa Autonomy (17th of May, 2011)
3.       Registration of Town Union constitution (17th of May, 2011)
4.       Certification of Registration/Recognition of staff of office  (19th May, 2011)

KEY PLAYERS OF THE TIME

No single person can effectively claim to build a nation. It is an achievement credited to all and sundry – a collective effort. However, there are people who coordinate human activities for a final success. In Ebenasaa Ozuomee Autonomous Community, the then Eze-elect now His Royal Highness Eze Michael Abanigbo (Ezeoha I of Ebenasaa) and the Eze-in-Council, the Ebenasaa Progressive Union (EPU)also known as The Town Union, Ndi Ichie, Chiefs, friends and major philanthropists - all motivated by the love of one’s own, made the task easy. Ebenasaa cherishes all.

THE LEGACY OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS

The founding fathers of Ebenasaa Ozuomee Autonomous Community are proud to bequeath posterity to a community whose motto is PEACE, UNITY and PROGRESS. Apart from this, our future leaders are to toe in the footsteps of their forebearers for a fair and hitch-free future where excellence and freedom of from oppression shall be the watchword.

THE CONSTITUTION

The 2015 people’s Constitution of Ebenasaa Ozuomee Autonomous Community/Ebenasaa Progressive Union (EPU) provides rules and regulations for the smooth, fair, equitable and sustainable governance of the community to ensure sustainable development anchored on human capital development, justice, peace and progress. In addition to the efforts already being made by EPU, the leadership and people of Ebenasaa Ozuomee across all ages (comprising men, women, youth/adolescents and children) have committed themselves and their community to providing the necessary sociopolitical atmosphere for partnership with, and support from the governments, development partners, multi-lateral agencies, philanthropic institutions/organizations; towards conceptualization and diligent implementation/execution of development projects that will lead to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Ebenasaa and beyond.

Long live Ebenasaa Ozuomee
Long live Orsu LGA
Long live Imo State
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria

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