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

 
Nanka (pronounced "Nan-ka" by the locals) is an Igbo-speaking town in Southeastern Nigeria. It lies near the town of Igboukwu and is bordered by Agulu to the north.

##Location
Nanka is situated within the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, with geographic coordinates of 6° 03' 00" North and 7° 05' 00" East. Neighboring towns include Oko, Agulu, Ekwulobia, Aguluzigbo, Isuofia, Umuona, and Awgbu.

 Nanka consists of seven villages:

Agbiligba

Enugwu

Ifite

Amako

Umudala

Ubahu

Eti. 

Among these, Agbiligba is the head village, comprising seventeen major kindreds, including Umuezekanagha, Umunonoakulu, Umueyisi, Umuka, Ihuowele, Umudunu, Umudim, Oka, Umueneke, Umuene, Umuezenwunne, Umuezehagba, Umuezemenari, Umuene, Umuezenyeka, Umuakuesu, and Umuezechiedo.

These kindreds are grouped into five administrative wards, as recognized by the Nanka Town Union and Chieftaincy Constitution of 2011: Umuezeoke, Abasili 1, Abasili 2, Umudunu, and Oka/Umudim.

##Facilities
Nanka’s post office has been operational since the early 20th century. The town is home to one central market, the Afor Market (formerly Afor-Udo), which operates on the Afor market day.

In terms of education, Nanka has two government secondary schools: Community High School in Agbiligba and Community Secondary School in Enugu village. Primary education is provided by Nwa-Agu Primary School in Ifite village, St. Michael Primary School in Agbiligba, Nkwo-Agu Primary School also in Agbiligba, and Enugwu Nanka Primary School.

The Ofu-Obu Hospital opened in Nanka in 1992 and was later modernized and refurnished by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL). The hospital is now operated by the Anambra State government and is part of Nigeria's Maternal and Child Health Care centers, in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Nanka also boasts sports facilities, including the NEROS Sports Stadium, founded by Chief Poly Ike Emenike, which opened on May 26, 2012. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Health Center was inaugurated in Nanka on July 23, 2012.

In November 2018, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) established an outpost (RS5.35a) at the Nkwoagu Junction of Nanka.

##Notable People
Nanka has produced several prominent individuals, including a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and two bishops:

Most Rev. Dr. Jonathan Onyemelukwe, Emeritus Archbishop of Province II, Anglican Communion.

Rt. Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, current Bishop of Awka Roman Catholic Diocese.

Chief Ebere Nwosu

Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo (Ewepudike na Nanka), Federal House of Representatives member representing Orumba North and South since May 2019.

(Sir) Anthony Gbuchie

Chief Polycarp Emenike (Odenigbo Nanka), MD/CEO of Neros Pharmaceuticals and Neros Stadium.

Chief Jacob Enemuor (Enyi Nanka), MD/CEO of Rocktama Water Plant, Nanka.

Chief Damian Okeke (Ogene Nanka), Anambra State Chairman of Ohaneze ndí Igbo.

Michael Onyemelukwe, 2006 Ebonyi State winner and NAFT international representative at the annual OPEC French competition, Olympiad Physics finalist.

Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia, Professor of Health Law and 2021 Nigeria Prize for Literature winner.

Prof. Dora Akunyili (née Edemobi), former Director-General of NAFDAC and former Minister of Communications.

Mr. Ebere Peter Nwosu, Executive Managing Director of Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd.


##Nanka Gully Erosion
The Agulu-Nanka gully erosion poses a serious ecological threat, as it frequently causes landslides. The erosion in Nanka is believed to have originated from the former flourishing slave market at Eke-Ntai in Amako Village, a notorious market during the era of human trafficking, popularized by Ezenwenwe. According to a 2009 report by soil erosion expert Benneth Obele, the erosion disaster dates back to the early 1920s, when gully sites were first observed near Eketai Market in Amako and near the Ududonka Shrine. The hidden paths associated with the illicit slave trade contributed to the erosion problem, as they were poorly managed and frequently flooded by water from neighboring communities.

In response to the landslides, which cut off Amako village from the rest of Nanka in June 2008, the Nanka Patriotic Union (NPU) took action. They established programs to educate residents on erosion control measures and initiated community donations, with nearly 10,000 cashew seedlings distributed to help control the 20 erosion sites across the town.