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

Tonpregha undutimi Richard Saturday, March 22, 2025 Basis

The Igbariam community, also known as Okalakwu Kingdom, is a semi-rural locality situated within the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The area is blessed with abundant fertile land, home to the well-known Igbariam Farm Settlement, which was established during the era of M.I. Okpara in Eastern Nigeria. It also hosts the campus of Anambra State University, now renamed Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

Ironically, the once fertile and rich land of Igbariam has become more of a curse than a blessing, as the community has been embroiled in land disputes with neighboring communities and others with vested interests since 1941.

However, reports from Daily Sun revealed that some of these cases were resolved in Igbariam’s favor, even reaching the Supreme Court at various points. Despite these legal victories, peace and development have remained elusive for the community for over seven decades.

Recently, following significant efforts by the town union, led by Chief Jude Orizu, there has been a noticeable change in the area. This marked the reason behind the community’s celebration of the return of peace and progress.

With the appreciation of land values, Igbariam has quickly evolved into an emerging urban center, with new roads, schools, hospitals, and markets sprouting up in just five years.

Reflecting on the past, Orizu shared that before he became president-general in December 2014, the town lacked both peace and development. "It felt like a constant battle—father against mother, children against parents, and communities against each other. But we didn’t waste time tackling the situation head-on," he said.

"The first step was reconciling the aggrieved parties, which laid the foundation for meaningful engagement for the youth. We lifted the ban on land sales, providing individuals and communities with viable sources of income to ease the economic struggles facing the country."

"This single move paved the way for old administrative bottlenecks to be cleared, and investors seized the opportunity, setting up businesses in our town and creating job opportunities for the youth. Those who sold land have also found employment, significantly reducing the crime rate in the area," Orizu added.

Chief Christopher Orakwe, a prominent member of the community from Irunabo village, mentioned that over 32 projects had been completed and handed over to the people by the town union. These accomplishments include the peaceful redistribution of 360.085 hectares of land returned to the Igbariam community by the Anambra State Government. The land was returned in 1996 after an appeal by the community through Prof. C.U. Ilegbune (Owelle), SAN, who was then the president-general of Igbariam. This 15% of the total farm settlement land held by the government was approximately 360.085 hectares.

"For over 20 years, farm settlers in that land resisted Igbariam’s entry due to several court injunctions, causing significant hardship for the people who had hoped to use the land to solve their personal and communal issues," Orakwe noted.

However, he credited Orizu with negotiating a peaceful resolution with the farm settlers, which allowed the land to be shared among Igbariam's seven villages by 2015.

Orizu also highlighted the community’s efforts to honor those who contributed significantly to Igbariam’s growth, including their traditional ruler, Eze N.N. Kelly, Prof. C.U. Ilegbune, and the late Igwe Henry Umeadi, the Ogalagidi I of Igbariam, who were each awarded five plots of land in recognition of their service.

Additionally, Orizu’s administration built a 2,000-capacity civic center with shops and offices, aptly named the "Unity Civic Centre," symbolizing the return of peace, unity, progress, and happiness to the community.

In separate remarks, Chief Egwuatu Ikwunne, Felix Nnana, the chairman of Ndichie, and Ojiani Igbariam, the highest traditional ruling institutions in the area, expressed deep gratitude to the president-general and all those instrumental in restoring peace and development to Igbariam.

Elders of the community also held a ceremonial libation, blessing Orizu and urging him to continue his leadership as there would be no further elections for his position. They affirmed that all villages unanimously endorsed his continued leadership to complete the vital work he had begun.

Villages in Igbariam include:

Aniekwem

Eziafor, Eziama

Ivite, Ogugu-Etiti

Ubaru

Umuchem

Urualor.

Educational institutions in Igbariam include:

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus

Community Primary School, Igbariam

Onede Primary School, Igbariam

Farm Settlement Primary School, Igbariam