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

 
Ogidi is an Igbo-speaking town and serves as the headquarters of the Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) in Anambra State, Nigeria. It has an estimated population of about 70,000 people and shares borders with nearby towns such as Abatete, Eziowelle, Nkp?r, ?m?nnach?, ?m?oji, Ogb?nike, and ?m?di?ka.

Meaning of Ogidi:
The name "Ogidi" translates to "pillar," symbolizing strength and support.

History:
Ogidi’s history spans over 450 years. The town was founded by Ezechumagha (born around 1550) who married Anum-Ubosi, and their son Inwelle was born in 1580. Inwelle, in turn, had a son named Ogidi in 1611. Ogidi, a renowned warrior, was called "strong pillar" due to his bravery. He had two wives, Duaja and Amalanyia, who each had several children. After the migration of five of Ogidi’s children, four sons—Akanano, Uru, Ezinkwo, and Ikenga, remained and founded the present quarters of Ogidi.

Notable migrations from Ogidi include: Umu-Udo, who moved to present-day Umunya, and Ama-Okwu, who either became enslaved or integrated into other parts of Ogidi, especially Odida in Ikenga. Nne Ogidi was married to Agulu, giving rise to the village of Agulu. Uruagu migrated to Nnewi, though residents of Uruagu Nnewi today do not claim a connection to Ogidi. Achalla Ogidi, known for his prowess as an elephant hunter, eventually moved to present-day Okija.

The Four Sons of Ogidi:
Akanano had two wives. The first bore Ire and Abo, while the second had Ezi-Ogidi and Umuru.

Uru (born around 1643) had eight children: Ntukwulu, Ajilija, Adazi, Umudoma, Uru Ezealo, Uru Oji, Umu Anugwo, and Ogwugwuagu.

Ezinkwo had two sons: Ogidi-Ani, who had Ogidi-Anu Ukwu and Ogidi-Ani Etiti, and Nkwelle Ogidi, who had Ezinkwelle and Uru Owelle.

Ikenga had two wives: Aghaluji Ejebe Ogu, who bore Obodo Okwe and Anugwo, and Ezenebo, who had Nanri and Odida.


This town is also the final resting place of Chinua Achebe.

Kingship:
The current Igwe of Ogidi is HRM ?z? Alexander Onyido (Ezechuamagha). After colonial pacification, the Igweship of Ogidi was established through a non-hereditary appointment by the British colonial administration, which appointed Walter Okerelu Amobi (Nwatakwochaka) of the Amobi family as the first Native Court judge of Ogidi in the Onitsha Province. Walter Amobi attempted to claim paramount rulership, but his request was denied by the colonial authorities. He was, however, instrumental in the peaceful integration of Ogidi with the British and other neighboring regions.

Walter Amobi I (1838–1925) was the first Native Court judge of Ogidi and one of the first people to embrace Christianity in the region. His son, Igwe Walter Okafor Amobi II, succeeded him and represented Nigeria at the coronation of King George VI in 1937. Igwe Amobi II maintained strong relations with other regional rulers, including the Oba of Benin and the Obi of Onitsha.

Igwe Amobi II was succeeded by his son, Dr. Benedict Vincent Obiora Amobi, who became Igwe Amobi III in 1975. After his death in 1986, Engr. Walter Nnamdi Ifediora Amobi ascended to the throne as Igwe Amobi IV, serving until his death in 1998. Following his passing, no direct successor from his lineage took the throne, and in August 2016, Alexander Uzo Onyido was elected as the new Igwe. Onyido, a trained pharmacist, previously held the position of Chief Pharmacist with the Kano State Government and has been actively involved in various leadership roles before becoming the traditional ruler of Ogidi.

Traditional Festival:
Ogidi is renowned for its annual Nwafor Festival, which takes place in mid-July. This 11-day celebration occurs after the yam harvest and is marked by prayer offerings for a good season. The festival typically begins on the first Friday of July and is filled with merriment, including vibrant displays of various masquerades.

Attractions:
Ogidi is home to the renowned Iyi-Enu Hospital and the popular Aforigwe market. The town is also famous for its reverence of pythons, which are regarded as deities by the local people.

Notable People:
Ogidi is the birthplace of renowned author Chinua Achebe, considered one of Nigeria’s most celebrated writers. The town is also the hometown of Harford C. Anierobi, a prominent actor known for his role as "Dominic" in the 1949 documentary Daybreak in Udi, which won both an Oscar for Best Documentary and a BAFTA Award. Another notable individual from Ogidi is Catherine Uju Ifejika (née Ikpeze), a Nigerian lawyer and CEO of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (BUNL), an indigenous oil company. She has received several prestigious awards for her business leadership.