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

 
Oba is a town located in Nigeria, with a postal code of 434112. It serves as a suburb of Onitsha.

Previously, Oba was the administrative headquarters of the Idemili South Local Government Area in Anambra State. The town is situated around 7 kilometers south of Onitsha, along the old Owerri-Onitsha Trunk A Road.

The first traditional ruler of Oba was Igwe Peter Chukwuma Ezenwa (Eze Okpoko I of Oba), who reigned from 1926 until his passing in 2018.

Geography:
To the north of Oba lies the Idemili River, as well as the neighboring towns of Nkpor and Umuoji. To the south, the Ekulu River flows, bordering the towns of Oraifite and Akwu-Ukwu. The towns of Ojoto and Ichi lie to the east, while to the west is the Ose River, bordering Obosi and Odekpe.

Attractions:
Oba consists of nine villages: Abime, Aborji, Ezelle, Isu, Ogbenwe, Ogwugwu, Okuzu, Umuogali, and Urueze. The town is home to several notable attractions, including the Rojenny Games Village, Tansian University, Ogba Spring, and Oba Airport (currently under construction). Other points of interest include Afor Oba, various hotels, and banks. Oba's strategic location between Onitsha, a commercial hub, and Nnewi, an industrial center, makes it highly accessible, with both cities just a few minutes’ drive away.

Anambra International Trade Centre, an international market commissioned under Anambra’s first democratic governor, is under construction in Oba. Upon completion, it will feature 25,000 lock-up stores and modern amenities such as fire services, schools, police posts, and a 24/7 power supply. The market is set to be the largest in West Africa. With a population exceeding 300,000, Oba has transformed into a modern urban town and is considered part of the Greater Onitsha City, as designated by the United Nations.

Oba holds historical significance as the final stronghold of the Biafran Republic army during the Nigerian Civil War, following the fall of Onitsha. It remained under Biafran control until the war's end.

Oba also gained attention during the grand burial ceremony of Obi Iyiegbu's mother on 16 July 2021.