Nnewi

Nnewi
—  City  —
Nnewi Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°1′N 6°55′E / 6.017°N 6.917°E / 6.017; 6.917
Country	Nigeria
State	Anambra State
LGA	Nnewi North, Nnewi South
Settled	September 4, 1625
Incorporated town	April, 1904
Incorporated city	1991
Government
- Type	Executive Chairman-Council
- Governing body	Local Government Council
- Party	PDP
- Chairman
Population (2006 census)[1]
- Total	391,227
- Density	7,252/sq mi (2,800/km2)
- Nnewi and Satellite towns	2,500,000
Time zone	WAT (UTC+ 1)
Post Code	435101[2]

Nnewi is the second largest city in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. Nnewi as a metropolitan city encompasses two local government areas, Nnewi North and Nnewi South; Nnewi North is commonly referred to as Nnewi central, and comprises four autonomous quarters: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewi-ichi. Nnewi North also includes Ichi, an autonomous neighbouring town.

As of 2006^[update], Nnewi has an estimated population of 391,227 according to the Nigerian census. The city spans over 1,076.9 square miles (2,789 km²) in Anambra State.^[3] Nnewi Metropolitan Area and its satellite towns is a home to nearly 2.5 million residents As of 2005^[update]. Dimensionally, Nnewi has an edge over all other units, being recognized by the 1953 figures as the largest inland town of all others in the Eastern states.^[4]

History

Nnewi has an oral history tradition^{[citation needed]}; in Nnewi mythology the 'ewi' (Igbo: bush rat) is believed to have played a great role in saving the founders of Nnewi and because of this the killing or eating of ewi in Nnewi was forbidden. Before the British colonial administration took control of Nnewi in 1904, Nnewi as a kingdom had existed since the 15th century. It is believed^{[dubious – discuss]} that the kingdom was founded on four quarters (large villages) namely Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Each village was divided into family units called 'umunna'. Each umunna had a first family known as the 'obi'.^[5] Throughout its history, Nnewi has used its military might to maintain its borders. Edo is the supreme deity of all the Alusi (Igbo: deity) in the Anaedo country. The central shrine of this unifying Alusi is at Nkwo Nnewi, the central market. Nnewi, Ichi and Oraifite made up the Anaedo state. Anaedo communities have common ancestries, beliefs and traditional value systems. Nnewi is a major trading and manufacturing centre in Nigeria. Due to its high commercial activities, the city has attracted millions of migrants from other states and countries. In the field of entertainment and traditional festivities, Afiaolu (New yam festival) and Ikwuaru are among traditional festivals held by Nnewi.

Geography

Geographically, Nnewi falls within the tropical rain forest region of Nigeria. Though it suffers from soil leaching and erosion which has reduced the soil in some areas to a porous sandy terrain, it remains an area of rich agricultural produce and the epicenter of business trade. The city is located east of the Niger River, and about 22 kilometers south east of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria.^[6]

Government

The Nnewi monarchy is heredity. In Nnewi the traditional monarch is called the Igwe. The Igwe is born and not made or elected, and the institution of inheritance is the traditional right and privilege. The position is neither transferable nor negotiable. The present reigning monarch is His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III^[7] and he is currently the 17th monarch in the Nnofo Royal lineage. His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Orizu III is the first class chief in Anambra state from Nnewi as well as the vice Chairman of the Anambra State House of Chiefs. Chief Nnamdi Obi, Chief Bennett Okafor and Chief J. O. Onyekaba are the current obis of Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi, respectively. These three obis with the Igwe Orizu, III as chairman constitute the Igwe-in-Council and they deliberate on the spiritual, traditional, and communal matters, in Nnewi. The four Obis are shown below:

There is also an active town union called the Nzuko-Ora Nnewi. It is a forum through which adult Nnewi indigenes (18 years or older) can contribute to the development of Nnewi. This union was set up to encourage and promote the establishment of structures and facilities that will promote and improve the quality of life of people resident at Nnewi people.

Legal System

The ancient legal system of Nnewi was not based upon a written law. It was purely a natural law, involving custom, tradition, and civil and criminal cases. The legal process in Nnewi passed through the labyrinth of extended family system. A report against an offender or a criminal in the first instance, had to be made to the head of his family at his ancestral home known as obi. The head of the family would invite elders and minor obis from his extended family unit to sit in judgment, while the complainant would also invite the elders and minor obis from his extended family side, if both of them were not from the same family. This obi would serve as the court of the first instance, depending, of course, on the nature of the offense or crime allegedly committed. The trial might end here, if both the complainant and the accused were satisfied with the judgment given, or they might take the case to the next senior obi of the same extended' family, in ascending order, until, probably, the matter got to the highest obi in the lineage. If the complainant was not satisfied at this point, he would appeal to the obi of the quarter and the leaders of his family could be summoned to defend their judgment^[8]

Through this legal procedure, guilt or innocence could easily be established, as the decision was based purely on natural justice. Punishments for offences and criminal acts were given in relation to their gravity. A man who was found guilty of a serious crime might have no option than to be sold into slavery or expelled from the community for life. He would not be killed because the killing of human beings was against the injunction of Edo Goddess. The judicial system in Nnewi seems to have recognized three classes of cases, the minor offences, the true criminal case, and the civil suits of debt, bride price and land. The breaking of by-laws was really an offence against some particular juju and as such was to be expiated by a sacrifice. It was, for example, forbidden to kill an "eke" snake, a type of python, or to eat "ewi," rodent of rabbit family. It is probable these laws were never broken willingly and if broken by accident, the offender would automatically perform a sacrifice without any form of judicial trial being held. The criminal code, with regard to serious crimes, appears to have been more developed in Nnewi than elsewhere in Igboland. There were seven main classes of offences, which were known as "ori-obi," offences against the obi, as their investigation was always carried out in the obi of the quarter. These seven offences were as follows:

Politics

Nnewi has contributed its fair share of key players in Nigerian politics. Dr. A.A. Nwafor Orizu; president of the Nigerian Senate in the First Republic and later, the Acting President before the first coup d’etat of 1966, M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu; a nationalist, anti-colonial fighter and first republic law-maker, Chief Z.C. Obi; the Onunekwuluigbo of Igbo, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), former military Governor of defunct Eastern Nigeria and President of defunct Republic of Biafra, Mr. F. C. Nwokedi; the first Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dozie Ikedife and Prefessor A. B. C. Nwosu were Commissioners in East Central state and Anambra state, respectively. Dr. Chu Okongwu was a Minister of Finance in Babangida’s administration. Nnewi is also the ancestral home of prominent Nigerians. Including the esteemed individuals listed above (and countless others), Joseph Egemonye Founder of the weekly based Nigerian Monitor newspaper, Businessman and Philanthropist; Felix Ezejiofor Okonkwo, Okonkwo-Kano; the leader of Igbo's in Northern Nigeria in the 1960s, Cletus Ibeto; Industrialist and Philanthropist, Late Chief Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe; Philanthropist and Founder of Ekenedilichukwu Motors, Late Chief Eugene "Akwa-Nwoke" Mojekwu.

Economy

As a fast developing city and a major industrial and commercial hub in Africa, Nnewi experiences voluminous financial activities, therefore hosts major banks, and other financial institutions. Industries are dotted around the city and adjoining towns. Palm oil, cosmetics, motor, and motorcycle spare parts, books, and stationeries, textiles, electric cables, and so on are produced in commercial quantity in the area. As a result, Nnewi is commonly refers to as the “Japan of Africa". Its main trading centers include, Nkwo Nnewi market (the largest spare parts market in west Africa) and Nwafor market, Eke Amaobi market, Eke Ochie, Eke Ichi Market, Orie otube Market, etc.

Agriculture and Forestry

The main occupation of Nnewi people is trading and farming, therefore they depend mainly on agriculture and commerce for their daily livelihood. Most Nnewian have mbubo (home gardens) and ubi (out-station gardens) were they usually cultivate their farm products. These crops when they are harvested are usually taken to the market for sale. Most of the prime cash crops include oil palm, raffia palm, groundnut, melon, cotton, cocoa, rubber, maize, et cetera. Food crops such as yam, cassava, cocoyam, breadfruit, and three-leaf yam are also produced in large quantities. The location of Nnewi within the tropical rainforest gives it the ecological basis for production of a wide range of tropical agriculture crops with widespread potential for industrial convention.

Industries

Nnewi is home to many major manufacturing industries including Ibeto Group of Companies, Cutix and ADswitch, Uru Industries Ltd, Omata Holdings Ltd, Cento Group of Companies, Coscharis of Companies Group, Innoson Group of Companies, Ebunso Nig. Ltd, John White Industries, Ejiamatu Group of Companies, Horizontal Ent. Ltd, M. O. I. Ltd.DE R.C ORIZ INV Ltd., Chicason Group. The great majority of industrialists in the cluster of spare parts factories in Nnewi are also traders, and most of these traders are producing one or more of the products they specialize in marketing as traders (usually motor vehicle parts), and most began by distributing their products through their preexisting distribution networks. Nnewi is part of eastern Nigeria's industrial axis. The town has through culturally grounded institutions that act as sophisticated networks expanded to include an international dimension through trading relations with exporters from Asia. Over the last decade, the town of Nnewi has experienced relatively rapid industrialization. In excess of 20 medium to large scale industries have been established across a variety of sectors. Since 1970, Nnewi residents have controlled approximately 80 to 90 percent of the motor-parts trade in Nigeria. Nkwo Nnewi Market is the major import and wholesale point for motor spare parts in Nigeria. The industrialists of Nnewi are adapting foreign technology to local needs, providing employment to thousands, and making available goods and services which are relevant actual needs of the Nigerian citizens.

Autoparts

Nnewi is renowned for producing great statesmen and leaders of commerce. The town is also one of the major trading and manufacturing centers of Nigeria. By 1940, Nnewi residents were at the center of an international trading network that dominated the supply of motor spare parts in Nigeria. The town subsequently became a center for commerce and industry, and has one of the largest automotive parts markets in Africa. Nnewi Township is an authentic "manufacturing miracle." Small and medium sized industries have set up in the town and are producing not only for the Nigeria markets but - albeit still to a limited extent - for markets abroad.

Industrialization of the town began around 1970 when Nnewi motor parts traders began marketing their own brand name products instead of the reproductions of "original" parts. For example, new auto plant, which is being built in Nnewi by a private investor, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, OON, in partnership with Chinese auto makers is geared towards productions of class of automobiles, Cletus Ibeto , Ogbuawa, Jonatec Auto Supply International owned by Chief Nwabueze Emenike and host of other traders deals on Motor cycle spare parts and tires.^[9]

Culture

Nnewi, as a historical city have many cultural events and places adorned with festivities and cultural monuments; these includes, Edo Na Ezemewi shrine, Udoogwugwu shrine (Ichi), Kamanu shrine (Ichi), and many other shrines dotted across all sections of Nnewi city. Nnewi host many festivals, notably amongst them is the New yam (Afiolu, also known as Ifejioku festival) which all parts of the city participates and masquerades from all federating towns participates in. The festival attracts all sorts of activities and celebrations of which all Nnewi residents’ holds to the highest esteem.

In average home of any Nnewi citizen, they usually keep kola nuts, garden egg and peanut butter in their refrigerator should in case of any stranger or visitor to their home. Every visitation to their home begins with the offering of the kola nuts to the visitor. The kola nut is indicating that the visitor is very much welcomed. The ritual of the offering of kola nut is inspired with the giving in prayers and blessing or lobby to the supreme God and other deities, for the protection of the visitor and the host. Its seems to be a custom to the people of Nnewi in any their traditional ceremony

Arts and Craft

Local artist thrive in this municipal rural communities. Works of art produced in the area comprises, carved doors, walking sticks of different designs, sculptures, flutes, wooden mortars and pestles, gongs , and the famous talking drums. Metal works and various types of productions are locally fashioned.

Music

For more details on this topic, see Igbo music.

The Nnewi people just like every other Igbo group have a musical style into which they incorporate various percussion instruments: the udu, which is essentially designed from a clay jug; an ekwe, which is formed from a hollowed log; and the ogene, a hand bell designed from forged iron. Other instruments include opi, a wind instrument similar to the flute, igba, and ichaka.[118]

Traditional Marriage

Igbo Traditional Marriage

There are three types of marriages in Nnewi as also practice across the Nigerian society : the traditional marriage held in the house of the woman; the official wedding, held in a registry office and which allows only one wife; and the religious marriage. The official marriage ceremony is called “Igbankwu”, which is the Igbo word for the traditional marriage ceremony. Nnewi do not have an “engagement” ceremony. Rather, the Igbankwu is preceded by a series of events during which the potential bride’s and groom’s families engage each other to discuss the terms of the marriage. Perhaps this can be characterized as an engagement.. Please note that Nigeria has 250 ethnic groups and each varies on marriage traditions. Further, within groups there can be even greater differentiation.

Cultural Attire

Igbo Women attire

The traditional attire for the men is an overflowing jumper or a long-sleeved shirt worn over the gooji wrapper, which is tied around the waist, curving down to the ankles. This dress is matched with a cap and a walking stick, which aids as an instrument of support and defense. The traditional wear for the women is a blouse, worn over a loin cloth. This female attire goes with a head-tie ear rings and necklaces or traditional necklaces.^[10]

New Yam Festival

See also: New Yam Festival of the Igbo

In Nnewi, the occasion of Iri-ji ohuu (new-yam eating) is a cultural festival because of its significance. Nnewi people celebrate their new yam festival usually at the end of August during which assortment of festivities mark the eating of new yam. These festivities normally include a lot of variety entertainment including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (King), cultural dances by Igbo men, women and their children as well as a display of Igbo cultural activities in the form of contemporary shows, masquerade dance, and feasting at a grand scale on a wide variety of food making up the menu of the Igbos.

The first day of the festival the Igwe of Nnewi will officiate the Harvest thanksgiving ceremony at his palace where the yams are offered to gods and ancestors first before distributing them to the villagers. After the prayer of thanksgiving to god, The Igwe eats the first yam because it is believed that his position gives him the privilege of being intermediaries between Nnewi communities and the gods of the land. The rituals involved in the new yam eating are meant to express the community's appreciation to the gods for making the harvest of their yams possible. This therefore explains the three aspect of Igbo worldview, that they are pragmatic, religious and appreciative. This ceremony has been celebrated for centuries and as has always presented the right conditions for all and sundry, family and friends to come together to demonstrate their commitment and solidarity to their local community. Due to this fact, the Igbos every where in the world do celebrate this event in a highly captivating manner in order to protect and celebrate the enriched cultural heritage of her people.

Religion

Religion occupies a central place in the heart of Nnewi people. This counts for the huge churches and religious practices in the city.The people of Nnewi are 96% Christian, with small fractions of other faiths: 2% traditionalist, 0.2% Jews, 0.3% Muslims and 1.5% others^{[citation needed]}. Among the Christian community, the catholic and Anglican Communion shares a greater number of followers followed by other Pentecostal Christian groups. Christianity fist came on the Southeastern part of Nigeria with the arrival of the Holy Ghost missionaries from Gabon to Onitsha under the leadership of Fr. Joseph Lutz late on Saturday December 5, 1885. Fr. Joseph Shanahan (The Apostle of Igboland) joined them in 1902 and when the mantle of leadership fell on him in 1905, history was set to record the evangelization of [Roman Catholic Diocese of Nnewi Nnewi Diocese]. The stream of this evangelization was to flow through two main courses almost concurrently: one having Nnewi as its source and the other Ozubulu/Ihiala.

Though individuals from various communities have come in contact with the faith as they traveled to Onitsha and other places for trade and in quest of western education, the actual planting of the seed of the gospel in Nnewi Diocese from the Catholic perspective sprang from the treks of Fr. Victor Duhaze to Ozubulu through Oguta (1906) and to Nnewi through Umuoji, Ojoto Mili Agu down to Odida Nnewichi in 1906.

However, the Anglican Church was established in Nnewi from Obosi in 1893. But the seed of what is today Nnewi Diocese was sown in 1809. Requests were made by Odida. Community in Nnewichi inviting Fr. J. Shanahan. In the same year, some Ozubulu indigenes had registered the same requests for establishing a Church station at Ozubulu.

Social issues

Health

Nnewi hosts a number of institutions and places of learning and healing, which include Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) and a number of international agencies. The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, is in the forefront of providing excellent health services to the nation. The hospital and its annexes since inception had provided specialized and comprehensive medical care to the immediate community and beyond. Its mandate also includes undergraduate and postgraduate medical and paramedical training as well as research. These services had grown from strength to strength through the years fueled by comprehensive annual plans approved by the Federal Government.

Education

The ancient city of Nnewi hosts a number of institutions and places of learning and healing, which include Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital(NAUTH), Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Maria Regina Secondary School, Nnewi High School, Ichi Technical School( Ichi Cummunity), Ichi Girls, Akoboezemu Community Secondary School, Nnewi-Ichi Community Secondary School, Summit Intl School, The Good Shepherd School and a number of international agencies.

Crime

Nnewi is a large town with a very village feel. Crime rates are low but civil disputes such as land ownership and family inheritance exists. In more recent times, the market square and banks have experienced well publicized and organized criminal attacks that have been allegedly linked to the local police. There are now open debates on reinstating a local vigilante crime fighting group called the Bakkassi Boys,^[11] who had a multi-year stint in Nnewi in the late nineties when crime was on the increase. This group had a modus operandi that many considered barbaric but necessary - convicted thieves were killed in public by dismembering their body parts with a sharp machete and burning them alive. The activities of this group of men which had permission of the Governor of the state was seen by the Human rights activists and civil right movement as a violation of human rights and campaigned against their practices. Recently, Nnewi is relatively peaceful except for isolated occurrences of kidnapping of prominent local citizens for large ransoms.

Transportation

Nnewi ranks first among other towns in the aspect of economic development and transportation in Anambra State. Best known names in the transportation industry are: Ekene Dili Chukwu Nig. Ltd. Chidi Ebere Nig. Ltd. Ijeoma Motors Nig. Ltd. Ekeson Motors Ltd., Izuchukwu Nig. Ltd Nsoedo Transport Ltd. Nnewi is also prominent in the hospitality industry with modern hotels that include,Beverly Hills Hotels, Hotel De Universe, King's Palace Hotel, Regent Hotel, Sabena Hotel,Calido Fine Hotel owned by Sir Israel Okonkwo of I.C Okos Motors ltd and Jideofo Hotel. Sports: Gabros F.C. is based in the city. Chijioke Nkurumeh Kingsley of Abubor Nnewichi Nnewi

Sport

Gabros F.C. is based in the international club base in NNewi. The owner Mr. Gabros Muotanya also owned a hotel and Gabros Stadium.

Restaurant

Pal's Food Palace is a fastfood and restaurant operating in Nnewi offering a variety of products and services which includes continental and African dishes, indoor and outdoor catering services, pastries, ice cream, burgers etc.

People

Nnewi is the ancestral home of prominent Nigerians, including Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE,General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), former military Governor of defunct Eastern Nigeria and President of defunct Republic of Biafra, Dr. Edward Ikem Okeke, former Deputy President of the PRP Political Party. Nwafor Orizu, a former nationalist and First Republic Senate president, M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, a nationalist, anti-colonial fighter and first republic law-maker, Joseph Egemonye Founder of the weekly based Nigerian Monitor newspaper, Businessman and Philanthropist, Felix Ezejiofor Okonkwo, Okonkwo-Kano, the leader of Igbo's in Northern Nigeria in the 1960s, Cletus Ibeto, Industrialist and Philanthropist, late Chief Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe, Philanthropist and Founder of Ekenedilichukwu Motors, Chief C. C. Obienugh JP (Okputolokpu of Nnewi) founder African Pioneer Company, Kingsley.C OkaforIgwe,Philosopher Poet, Emma Bishop Okonkwo, founder Ekulo group of companies, late Chief Onuzulike Daniel Okonkwo, Ozuome-Nnewi, Diplomat, Educator, and Writer, Francis Christian Nnodumene Agbasi Omenka Nnewi (1922–2006) Founding Partner, Frank Agbasi & Partners.^[12]

List of Influential Nnewi people

Names	Title	Occupation & Contribution
General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu	former military Governor and President of Republic of Biafra	Politician
President Nwafor Orizu	former nationalist and First Republic Senate president	Politician
M.C.K Ajuluchukwu	a nationalist, anti-colonial fighter and first republic law-maker	nationalist
Cletus Ibeto	Industrialist and Philanthropist	Businessman
Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE	Pioneer businessman	Legendary multi-millionaire business mogul, community-builder and Philanthropist
Felix Ezejiofor Okonkwo	Okonkwo-Kano/Businessman Extraordinaire	The leader of Igbo's in Northern Nigeria in the 1960s.

References

1. ^ Summing the 2 LGAs Nnewi North/South as per:
   Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (15 May 2007). "Legal Notice on Publication of the Details of the Breakdown of the National and State Provisional Totals 2006 Census" (PDF). http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/nbsapps/Connections/Pop2006.pdf. Retrieved 2007-05-19. 
2. ^ Nigerian Postal Service. "Postcode Map". http://www.nipost.gov.ng/PostCode.aspx. Retrieved May 15, 2011. 
3. ^ Nnewi Facts and Figures http://www.nacuk.org/factfile.htm
4. ^ Vide the Nigerian census figures of 1996
5. ^ "Introduction to Nnewi:". Nnewi Union Atlanta. http://www.nnewiunionatlanta.8m.com/index.html. Retrieved 2008-04-06. 
6. ^ erosion "A Case Study of Some Locations of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria". A Case Study of Some Locations of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. http://www.bioline.org.br/request?ja06048 erosion. Retrieved 2009-11-15. 
7. ^ "Ancient Legal System". King of Nnewi. http://www.nnewi.com/contents/rulers.html. Retrieved 2009-08-15. 
8. ^ "Ancient Legal System". Ancient Legal System in Nnewi. http://www.nnewi.com/contents/ancientlegalsystem.html. Retrieved 2009-11-15. 
9. ^ "Nnewi Auto Fair Opens". http://allafrica.com/stories/200911300471.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
10. ^ Traditional Igbo Attire http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Igbo.html
11. ^ Crackdown on Nigerian vigilantes http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2181337.stm
12. ^ "Biography of Agbasi Omenka". http://agbasi.com/index.html. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 

Coordinates: 6°01′N 6°55′E / 6.017°N 6.917°E / 6.017; 6.917