Ohaji/Egbema LGA

Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area as presently constituted was created by the Ibrahim B. Babangida’s administration by the August 27, 1991 presidential proclamation, caved out of the former Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta L.G.A, Ohaji/Egbema has its headquaters at Mmahu in Egbema District and other districts headquaters at Ohaji west and Ohaji East.

Location: Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A lies in the south/western part of Imo State and shares common boundaries with Owerri in the East, Oguta in the North and Ogba/Egbema/Ndomi in Rivers state in the South West.

Landmass: Ohaji/Egbema covers an area of appromately 958.010spkm

Population: Ohaji/Egbema has an estimated population of 800, 904.

POLITICAL ARRANGMENT
Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A comprises of three districts namely;
Ohaji East
Egbema North
Ohaji West

There are 12 council wards :: The local Government also has sixteen (16) autonomous communities namely: Egbema, Umuagwo, Oloshi, Umunkwaku, Obile, Obitti, Mgbirichi/Alakuru, Opuoma,Assa, Awarra, Ikwerede, Umuokanne, Obiakpu, Ohaba, Obosima, Mmahu,

ADMINISTRATION
In about its twenty-one years of existence, the Ohaji – Egbema Local Government Area has been administered at various times by elected and appointed leadership. At its inception in September, 1991, Mr. A.E Onukuro was appointed the sole Administrator. It has six departments namely Administration, Finance, Health, Education, Works, Agriculture Planning & Statistics all headed by career civil servants known as heads of departments and other unit heads.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE OF OHAJI/EGBEMA L.G.A
Legend has it that Egbema people migrated from Benin in Edo state in 1502 during the 16th century exodus and settled at ALINSO which later in 1931, took the name Egbema while people from Ohaji are said to have migrated from various parts of the country.

OCCUPATION
The people of Ohaji/Egbema are blessed with vast fertile land for agriculture and wildlife, most of them therefore are farmers, hunters, fishermen. A good number of them are also in public service.

RELIGION
Ohaji/Egbema people are mainly Christians but good number are also heathens.

MAJOR MARKETS
Major markets in Ohaji/Egbema include, Eke Opuma, Nkwo Mmahu, Orie Abacheke, Afor Etekwuru in Egbema district and Eke Awara, Eke Umuagwo, Nkwo Amafor, Ahia Mgbirichi, Orie Umuokanne and Ahia Ohoda in Ohaji district.

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Nze-Obi is the paramount traditional ruler of Egbema and the highest traditional figure in Egbema. The Stool is for life. The last Nze-Obi recently joined his ancestors and the vaccum is yet to be filled. The Ohaji district has Ezes in their respective autonomous communities and there are about 10 (ten) Ezes in all the district. Following Nze-Obi of Egbema are the EZEALIS, these are paramount chiefs in their respective towns and they are usually elected. There are also palace chiefs who are selected and installed by the Nze-Obi to assist him in day to day administration of palace and adjudicate on cases in the palace.

FESTIVALS
Ohaji/Egbema People have rich cultural heritage some of the numerous festivals in Egbema are: Ichi-Ozo, Igwa Ji, Iwu-Azhi-, Igba- Mgba,Isu-Uzo, Ike-Ihiri, Idu-Miri etc. Ohaji people on their side have Owu or Idumiri Okorosha, Iri-Ji, Igba mgba etc.
The Ohaji/Egbema people have high regard for tradition.

GOVERNMENT PROJECTS
The local Government is an oil producing area and has some government projects established mainly through the Imo state oil Producing Areas Development commission (ISOPADEC). Such projects include water projects, in various part of the L.G.A like, Obokofia water project at Obokofia Egbema, Umuokanne water projects in Ohaji, Ohaba-Obosima road etc. Electricty projects in Umuapu-Ohaji, Mmahu electricity extension, on-going National integrated power plant project, 18 Health facilities situated all over the
L.G.A including general hospitals at Mmahu and Umuokanne.

INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
The L.G.A Being on oil producing has attracted a good number of Oil producing and oil servicing companies to the area and they have constrbuted towards the development of the area by building & maintaining good roads, classrooms, health facilities satellite water scheme, Garri Processing factory, etc. such major Oil producing and servicing companies include shell Petroleum Development company (Nig) Ltd (SPDC), CHEVRON NIG LTD, NIGERIA AGIP OIL COMPANY LTD (NADC), Waltersmith petroleum and many others:

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The local Government Area has a good number of education institutions which include;
Total number of primary school
Primary schools in Ohaji district = 45
Primary schools in Egbema district = 60
Total primary schools = 105
Number of Adult Education centres = 49
Number of Privately owned commercial schools = 7
Number of government secondary schools = 17
Number of vocational schools = 10
Number of Nursery schools = 20
Number of Tertiary institution = 1 (Michael Okpara Polytechnic, Umuagwo.)

ECONOMIC VIABILITY
Ohaji/Egbema is located in the rich agricultural zone of Imo state hence agriculture is the mainstay of the people. Faming, Fishing, Palm Oil processing, Hunting, and animal husbandry are vigorously practiced.

A good number of big companies, government agencies and voluntary organizations have established farms in the various areas of the local government. There is Adapalm (Nig) Ltd at Ohaji, Rubber Estate at Obitti, forest Reserve at Ekugba etc. These also serve as tourism attraction centers for visitors to the area.

Natural & Agricultural Resources
Some of the natural resources and agricultural products in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A. include:
Vast water bodies I.e rivers, streams etc. in the semi-reverine area of the LGA. The area gets flooded in the peak of rainfall.  Egbema district of the LGA lies in a low plain of rainfall. This consequently ensures vertical and horizontal migration of fish. The local Government is boosting production of fish by establishing a modern fish farm (intensive system)
Oil Palm production is another area the LGA specializes on due to their endowment with a suitable soil for the growth of palm tree.
The local Government is also blessed with highly fertile land for the cultivation of crops like yam, cassava, plantain, pine-apple, maize etc.
Livestock farming is also engaged in by the Local Government. The grass land which spans several kilometers offers good habitation for the rearing of Livestock such as goats, sheep, rabbit, and glasscutters etc.
Ohaji/Egbema LGA is also blessed with wild Palm trees for wine-tapping.
A good population of the L.G.A is involved in tapping of palm wine from the palm trees.

 

55 thoughts on “Ohaji/Egbema LGA”

  3. God blessed OHAJILAND with various mineral resources, but yet we’re marginalised by various Imo state government, the worse of it ALL is the Rochas Okorocha led administration, we Ohaji sons & daughters in diaspora would want the Imo state government to tar all link roads to All Ohaji towns & villages now, because our LAND MADE iMO STATE BE PART OF NDDC.
    Thanks——Barrister Goddy Amadi, writes from Manchester/ England.

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  7. we’re son’s and duaghter of ohaji, many graduate no work. Bt we hv oil we’re nt seeing it. Mainly eletricity no light God only you can rescure us. God help us out of this mess. Oke mfor-mforju agba. Anyi nwere nri, anyi adigi ahu ya were rie. Anyi nwere orou di iche-iche, ndi guchara akwokwo ha-ahugi orou were rou. God is only you of all poeple can help us.

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  8. Ohaji/Egbema is a land, blessed by God the creator-but it is unfortunate that the are been deprive of their blessing from their father land.All imo Leaders who knows the truth should look into ohaji/Egbema and do what the are suspose to do in terms of development, employment, security etc (ni hi na’eto di ke na inke omere omeke ozo)

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  9. I’m second son of chief akunaefomi. I thank our father in heaven 4 the life that he gave to us. And i also thank our leader in ohaji”may God be wit u all..we ohaji/egbema makes imo metter bt we have no light no road and no development but i thank God since we can provid our needs.

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  10. The govment should be blamed. On 2012, owele Rochas awarded the construction of a road from Ukwugba obiakpu to izombe. We rejoiced greately then. But till now the road is worst

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  12. Am from ohaji, the oil drealing has killed the glory of our land, government are not doing anything about it. I remembered when I was schooling at umunwaku, ithe company I lived, they knew me because of yam, big big yam. Everybody want to test it because it teste. But now, same teste by very small. The land is no more fertile any more. The oil companies that are there does not employ opur people,but few, I mean few. Let the government do something to redeem the glory of oil producing communities, not states.

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  14. We the entire sons and daughters of ohaji wants the state govt. To put an end to the suffering of of ohaji people . Such problem are: bad road, no electricity especially in Assa,awarra, and ikwerede. Because ohaji(oil kingdom) a price of reward .ohaji feeds the state a lot. The Adapalm palm plantation is in ohaji but the road that led to it is very floppy.thanks! Iam ukwuoma emmanuel ejiofor from umuokuzu in ochia autonomous community .God bless Imo state!

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    • I am greatly ashamed of the government of imo state,the people who made you who you are today,are suffering for good road,electricity,water e.t.c you are busy downloading our money into your bank account thinking no body knows about that,remember the creator is watching he will judge every man according to his work.Rev Father Mbaka have warn you of this,today i am warning you don’t say you were not told,the wrath of God is coming to you very soon if you do not turn to help the poor who’s land have enriched you.let me ask you,you are saving this money for you and your children and family are these people you wrong not created by the same God who made all things?think twise as celindion may say,michael jackson the king of pop who lived said it all in his album “Heal the world”and”we are the world” listing to all this music we are of one Creator but different faces different names,please brother lets talk about LOVE that’s all we need so please lets stop discrimination,segregation and rasism.from your friend and brother:Amagwulam Godsguide Aka Sagacity.

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  16. We the entire daughters and sons of ohaji wants the state govt. To put an end to the suffering of ohaji people .Am ukwuoma emmanuel from agbosa umuokuzu ochia autonomous community .

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  19. i am ukaawuike promise c.an illustrious son of ohaji and an undergraduate of imo state uni.ow.the problem the ohaji people is having with govt in the area of development and infrastructure is lack of high quality and trustworthy personnel that will always speak for us and claim our right.

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    • Spot on Ukaaawuike, i’ve said it times without numbers that “WE” Ohaji sons n daughters have to speak with one voice otherwise ground breaking developments will always elude us.
      Comrade Goddy Amadi writes from Manchester.

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  22. I am greatly ashamed of the government of imo state,the people who made you who you are today,are suffering for good road,electricity,water e.t.c you are busy downloading our money into your bank account thinking no body knows about that,remember the creator is watching he will judge every man according to his work.Rev Father Mbaka have warn you of this,today i am warning you don’t say you were not told,the wrath of God is coming to you very soon if you do not turn to help the poor who’s land have enriched you.let me ask you,you are saving this money for you and your children and family are these people you wrong not created by the same God who made all things?think twise as celindion may say,michael jackson the king of pop who lived said it all in his album “Heal the world”and”we are the world” listing to all this music we are of one Creator but different faces different names,please brother lets talk about LOVE that’s all we need so please lets stop discrimination,segregation and rasism.from your friend and brother:Amagwulam Godsguide Aka Sagacity.

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  23. Hey, I’m proud son of Columbus Osiagugor, from Umuezonuzor, in Awarra ohaji. I’m appealing to the Nigeria government and that of IMO state to provide us with electricity, good Road, water and every other social amenities for us to survive here in our reach and blessed Land.

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  24. I hale from the great people of Mmahu Autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A of IMO state.
    I pray for God’s light to shine over the people of this region with his Providence,we are blessed with good gift of nature also with abundance in fertile and productive lands.Let’s keep this light shinnig were ever we are.God bless us all

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  26. AWARRA KINGDOM IS BLESS WITH MINERAL RESOUSES.I PLEAD 4 IMO GOV’T 2 REMEMBER D NOBLE PEOPLE OF AWARRA KINGDOM,TO TAR THEIR ROAD,AND GIVE DEM ELECTRICITY.I’M PROUD OF UMUOGWA IN OCHIA.

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  27. Awarra/lkwerrede is oil located community but no road no light. ….. very soon if government don’t to do something the youth will do something that will affect the government. ….. we the youth are just watching. …..

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  28. I sleep day & night in the house of Abba man while i ve resources working in my fathers land what have i done 2 deserve this 4rm our government that my quxtion our youth our turning rascal so many unwanted pregancy among our girl child should we say nature is fighting us back.

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  29. Ohaji kwenu ohaji kwezuonu. My believe is that one day our ohaji will take there right and manage there product . happy to be ohaji from umuokanne.

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  30. well my names are Engr, Prince Kelechi Ozoemena from Obitti Ohaji my humble comment is that our leaders are praud of ohaji because of the mineral resources they are enjoying, they are praud to say ohaji has many oil, both palm and petroleum they are the imo rubber estate located in obitti infact ohaji is the food basket of Imo state they new all this yet come to ohaji you see the number unemployed graduate doing nothing. come to my village obitti no government secondary school the worst of it is that we have never experinced electricity right from ADAM our government can never talk about it. Look at what is happen between awara and waitersmith oil company serious fight just for government to settle the youth with massive employment. All the youth effort proves abortive but my word for the so called Government is that one day the only true God of justice will vindicate ohaji. There is an adage that says, He who laugh last laugh best. Thanks.

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  31. I’m from umuokeduru in awarra-ohaji/egbema ..this article is educative. You can add me facebook.com/wisdom.good.godswill.50

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  32. I am Ugba from Ogboru Abacheke, God indeed blessed Egbema but the problems is peculiar to its found of oil and oil politics. The journey to gold is heard but the end is good. I hv all believe that, God who created Egbema is not sleeping. The government should do everything to allow the 40% of 100% of the 13% derivation fund is been completely allowed to be administer by Isopadec as been enshrined by the law number 9, 10 and 11 used in setting the commission. Again, the federal government should hasten up to enact a law that will make it possible for local government received there allocation directly.

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  33. Let ur Hart not be troubled says the Lord, I will extend to her peace like a river. If I be a child of God If the hand of pst E. A. Adeboye is upon my head ohaji/Ebgema will possess it’s inheritance…

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  34. Please I am researching on the activities of Chevron in Ohajo Egbema. I am interested in knowing what the company did for the communities and why they sold their lease to Seplat and other oil companies

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  36. This history omitted some detail that are germane in understanding Egbema. It is noteworthy that Egbema is made up of sixteen villages, political caliberations placed three Egbema villages in Rivers state, while 13 is left in Imo state . The villages in Imo state are Umudike,Etekwuru,Ekugba,Mgbara,umuoji, Oforoola, Obokofia, Opuoma, Obiakpu,Mmaahu,Abaezhi, Obeakpu,and Abacheke. The River side of Egbema include Okwuzhi,Aggah and Mgdede.

    Mr Obiabaka ,i am interested in your research , if its not late , get in touch

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  38. ohaji egeme is an oil prouducing area the goverment have been catting on us we are lacking manythings in ohaji please government help us

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  39. My name is ordu Daniel from obitti ohaji egbema LGA in IMO state I have live in Doha Qatar before back to Nigeriai have one thing to say why some villages didn’t have electricity but we are here tell government that all ohaji have a electricity since I back from Doha Qatar I m here looking for a job of driver in ohaji oil company but since than know answer I still need this job please I need a help for that God bless ohaji we have to use it and helps our self pls

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