History of Obowo

Obowo, is a Local Government Area in Imo State of Nigeria. Its  headquarter is  Otoko in Umuariam. Other towns in the LGA include Achara, Amanze Umuagu, Ehume, Umungwa, Umulogho, Odenkwume, Okwuohia, Amuzi, Alike, Avutu, Umuosiochie and Umuoke. Former Imo State Governor Chief Onunaka Sam Mbakwe was born in and died in Obowo. Obowo is located about 45 minutes from Owerri, the Imo state capital. The area is right across the Imo River and is less than 30 minutes from the Umuahia and Ahiara in opposite directions. With the Amanze seven and half (71/2) junction and the popular Malaysia market landmarks in-between.

 

Towns and commercial centres in Obowo L.G.A. include Achingali, Afor-Nkolor Amanze, Eke-Avutu, Orie – Achara, Eke-Umuariam, Ugwumabiri, Ogwoghoroanya, Uhuri, Ogbotukwu, Seven and half, Afor-udu, Nwokoisiama, Ekeja, Afor- Achara, Malaysia Market (Onuimo Modern Market Umungwa Obowu) etc. The Obowo local government came into existence sequel to the May 1989 creation of Local Governments in Nigeria by the defunct Ibrahim Babangida Administration. The council headquarters is located at Otoko. Obowo Local Government is carved out from the mother Local Government Etiti its headquarters then at Isi-Nweke. To the North lie Ahiazu and Aboh Mbaise Local Government Areas, while Eastern boundary separates it from Umuahia Abia State. The Local Government presently houses several autonomous communities.

Occupation: The major occupation of the people used to be farming and fishing. With the globalization of the world economy, people of Obowo now embrace varied areas of industrial services, ranging from manufacturing to communications.

Palm Produce: Obowo people produce a large quantity of oil, kernel, local baskets and brooms, Fishing (Fish Pond). Other popular produce include cassava cultivation.

Politics: The people are politically enlightened and they produced the first Executive Governor of Imo State, the Late Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe and other prominent Politicians, both National, State even local levels. Obowo natives are active in politics.

Culture and Tourism: Obowo have a very rich cultural festival, the Iwa-Akwa Festival and the associated age-grade system, which embraces the general Obowo citizen. Other festivals are like, Ekpo, Mbomuzo, Egbe-Nkwu, Ntumaka etc. Obowo is a tourist delight – the nature created blue Abadaba Lake, Iyi-Ukwu, Isi-iyi spring  water, Nwa-etee and many other tourist attractions in the Area as well as Umuariam Game reserve Centre with live monkeys.

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OUR MISSION

To preserve the history, culture and traditional heritage of OBOWO people for posterity and to establish a Cultural Center for this purpose.

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