History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Ichida Town in Anambra state

 
Ichida is one of the ten towns that make up the Anaocha Local Government Area in Anambra State, with the local government headquarters located in Neni town.

Ichida is bordered to the north by Adazi-Enu and Nnokwa, to the east by Oraeri, to the south by Igbo-Ukwu and Azuigbo, and to the west by Awka-Etiti.

The Ichida community consists of twenty villages, listed as follows:

Ihe village

Dunuebo village

Elimehi village

Uranudo village

Mgbuwa village

Umuebo village

Umuakata village

Umuezesue village

Nnulukwu village

Ubulu village

Uhuanaoma village

Ezebazu village

Udoama village

Amuleri village

Uhuana village

Mgbudu village

Umukam village

Umuezeonyedi village

Ajani village

Umudunuagu village


Returning to the history of Ichida town: While the precise population of Ichida has not been determined, it is known that the majority of the people are entrepreneurial. Many are farmers who live locally, while others are small traders scattered across Nigeria and abroad. Just as Igbo people are known for their industriousness, Ichida residents are recognized for their hard work and dedication to business, no matter where they reside.

In terms of governance, several sons and daughters of Ichida have excelled, working as civil servants at both the state and federal levels, with some residing outside the town due to their professional commitments.

Historically, the creation of Ichida Town is linked to the migration of its people. It is said that when an Ichida man began cultivating the land, it sparked a need for land ownership and migration. Okotu, the father of modern-day Ichida, reportedly left his home in Umuona to settle in Adazi-Enu, specifically in a village called Umuabu. The four brothers, who were the great-grandfathers of Nebo, Isuofia, Akwaeze, and Neni, also settled in various locations.

According to tradition, Ichida settled in Isiube, while his brothers, collectively known as Okotu Brothers or Igwulube Okotu, settled in towns like Adazi-Enu, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu, Obeledu, Amichi, Osmenyi, and Ogbodi. Some of these towns form the present-day Anaocha Local Government Area in Anambra Central.

The current traditional ruler of Ichida is His Royal Majesty, Sir Charles N. Ezeudogu (KSS), the Obi II of Ichida. The President General is reported to be Barr. Kenneth Nwadilibe, and the Woman Leader is Mrs. Victoria Okpala, as of 2021.

Please note that certain details in this historical account of Ichida are subject to correction and updates. We are still verifying whether Barr. Kenneth Nwadilibe continues to serve as the President General and if Mrs. Victoria Okpala is still the Woman Leader of Ichida. The publication will be revised accordingly once this is confirmed.