History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Bende Town in Abia State

 
 Bende is an administrative district located within Abia State, southeastern Nigeria. The seat of local governance is found in Bende town itself. Geographically, this area lies at approximately 7°30' east of the Greenwich Meridian and 5°30' north of the Equator. The district comprises thirteen distinct communities: Alayi, Bende, Ezukwu, Igbere, Item, Itumbuzo, Nkpa, Ntalakwu, Ozuitem, Ugwueke, Umuimenyi, Umuhu-Ezechi, and Uzuakoli.

According to 2016 estimates, the area had a population of 192,621. Bende lies within a tropical zone favorable for farming and is known as one of Abia State’s prominent rice cultivation regions. The LGA is bordered by Cross River State, Afikpo, and Ohaozara to the north; Arochukwu and Ohafia to the south; Ikwuano to the east; and Umuahia to the west.

##Climate Overview
Bende experiences a tropical climate with minimal fluctuation in temperatures throughout the year. Dry periods are generally warm and humid with partly cloudy skies, while rainy seasons are often muggy and predominantly overcast. The annual temperature typically ranges from 67°F to 87°F, rarely falling below 60°F or exceeding 90°F.

##Cloud Cover Patterns
Seasonal shifts bring noticeable differences in cloud cover. The clearer season begins around November 24 and continues for approximately 2.6 months, ending near February 11. December tends to be the clearest month, with roughly 41% of days experiencing mostly clear or partly sunny skies.

In contrast, the cloudiest period spans from February 11 to late November. May stands out as the cloudiest month, with the sky being overcast about 86% of the time.

##Rainfall and Seasons
A day is considered rainy if it receives at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. The wetter season starts around March 27 and extends through November 8, lasting about 7.4 months. During this period, the likelihood of rain exceeds 45% on most days. September typically sees the most rainfall, averaging over 25 wet days.

The drier part of the year occurs from November 8 to March 27. January is the driest month, with an average of just 1.4 rainy days. Rainfall throughout the year predominantly takes the form of rain alone, peaking in probability around September 11 at about 86%.

Towns and Communities within Bende:

Agbamuzu

Agbo-mmiri

Alayi

Amaogwu

Amaediaba

Amaoba

Amorji-Imenyi

Amaozara

Bende (headquarters)

Etiti

Ezeukwu

Iluoma Nzeakoli

Igbere

Item

Isiegbu

Lodu Imenyi

Ndi-Ekeugo

Ndiokorukwu

Nditoti

Nkpa

Obuohia

Ogo Ubi

Okporoenyi

Okputong

Onuinyang

Ovum Ugwu Nkpa

Ukpom

Umuokoro

Umuorie

Ugwueke


##Notable Figures from Bende

Arunma Oteh – Former head of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission and Chair of the Royal African Society as of July 2021.

Benjamin Kalu – Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s 10th House of Representatives and current representative for Bende Federal Constituency.

Orji Uzor Kalu – Prominent politician and former two-term Governor of Abia State.

Kalu Uche – Retired professional footballer who played for Nigeria’s national team.

Ikechukwu Uche – Former international football player from Nigeria.

Uche Kalu – Nigerian ex-footballer.

Jerry Eze – Influential Nigerian pastor and minister.