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Brief History Of Nnewi by Sealeddeal(m): 5:19pm On Jul 25, 2014 |
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. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city [3] while the first wholly made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the 'NASENI M1' was manufactured in Nnewi.[4] As of 2006, 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.[5] Nnewi Metropolitan Area and its satellite towns is home to nearly 2.5 million residents As of 2005. Dimensionally, Nnewi has an edge over all other units, being recognized by the 1953 census figures as the largest inland town of all others in the Eastern states of Nigeria.[6] History In Nnewi oral history and mythology, the 'ewi' (Igbo: bush rat) played a great role in saving the founders of Nnewi during wars. Throughout its history, Nnewi has used its military might to maintain its borders and because of this, the killing or eating of ewi in Nnewi is forbidden to the present day. Nnewi existed as an independent kingdom from the 15th century to 1904, when British colonial administration occupied the kingdom. Nnewi 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'.[7] These four quarters were these original names of the Sons of Edo: Otolo being the elderest and Nnewichi being the youngest of the sons.Obi of Nnewi The Place of Nnewi in Igbo History Originally when the Igbos or Ibos settled in the present day Eastern Nigeria, they arrived with three leader two were spiritual leaders and the youngest of the three a hereditary King known as Obi a King by birthright. The first was the Eze Nri of Awka a Priest King, the second the Eze Aro of Arochukwu a Priest King and the third the Obi of Nnewi a political and war ruler. The Obi Nnewi enthroned the Obi of Onitsha as an Obi an upgrade from is former title Eze of Onitsha in the 1740s. The Obi of Onitsha was well qualified to become an Obi being disputably the first among the two sons of the Oba of Benin. The Onitsha people are visitors and later settlers in Igbo land. The Aros know this history (Nnewi being a relation and a leader among the Igbos) and this part of the reason there are no Aro settlements in Nnewi. The Obi of Nnewi Obi Okoli in1780s lost his stool when inside palace politics that hinged on tradition edged him out. Traditional royal law had it that the Crown Prince must perform the funeral rights of the late Obi before he can be crowned, Obi Okoli was absent and arrived home only after the late Obi Okoli 1st was buried. His Uncle (The late Obi Okoli the 1st younger brother) performed the funeral rights in his stead and took over as Igwe Nnewi he could not be enthroned as an Obi (which means the first son). The Obi Okoli royal linage was forced into exile, they got refuge at Umune-Alam in Umudim, Nnewi where they still are to this day. The Obi Okoli family still bears the Ofor Nnewi till this day. 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. There are four other deities in Nnewi: Ana, Ezemewi, Eze and Ele. Christianity was introduced by the Europeans in 1885 and many Nnewi people now practise Christianity. 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. The Ofala Nnewi is a cultural festival held every year to celebrate the coronation of the Igwe of Nnewi. Afiaolu ( New yam festival ) and Ikwuaru are also among traditional festivals held annually in Nnewi. Nnewi Kingdom is also known as Anaedo meaning the Land of Gold (The supreme deity and goddess of Nnewi). 15 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Decibel: 5:20pm On Jul 25, 2014 |
Nnewi African Japan 8 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Sealeddeal(m): 5:21pm On Jul 25, 2014 |
Politics Nnewi has contributed its fair share[clarification needed] of key players in Nigerian politics. 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- colonialist and first republic law-maker, Chief Z.C. Obi (Onunekwuluigbo Igbo); First republic politician, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi); former military Governor of defunct Eastern Nigeria and President of defunct Republic of Biafra, Comrade Dr. Edward Ikem Okeke ; Deputy President of the PRP and Special Adviser to the President (Second Republic), Mr. F. C. Nwokedi; the first Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dozie Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi); former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor A. B. C. Nwosu; Former Health Commissioner in East Central state and Anambra state, respectively, Dr. Chu Okongwu; Former Minister of Finance;Dr David Bennet Anagwu Ofomata;The first Indigenous Medical Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, First CEO/Chairman Anambra Health Management Board & Chairman old Nnewi LGA; Nnewi is also the ancestral home of prominent Nigerians including the esteemed individuals listed below. See (People). Economy Agbo Edo, a forest land which belonged to Edo Nnewi deity, was cleared to make way for a new market called Nkwo Nnewi market. The development of this market propelled the fast development of the local 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. 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 referred to as the Japan of Africa, it is home to many major indigenous 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, Chicason Group, Louis Carter Group, etc. 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. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant is located in the city, while the first wholly Made-in-Nigeria motorcycle was manufactured in Nnewi by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). 9 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Decibel: 5:22pm On Jul 25, 2014 |
Nna ya fioba 3 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Sealeddeal(m): 5:23pm On Jul 25, 2014 |
Auto parts Nnewi is known for the vibrant auto industry in the city, the first Igbo man to own and drive a car was HRH Igwe. Orizu I (Eze Ugbo Onya Mba) in 1912. 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. There are a several auto and motorcycle spare parts dealers in Nnewi; the Nnewi Motorcycle spare parts market is well known throughout West Africa and has earned the city the nickname, Japan of Africa.[citation needed] There is also new auto plant, the first of its kind in Nigeria, owned by an Nnewi businessman, Innocent Chukwuma, Oon and a Chinese auto Company.[11] Culture Nnewi, as a historical city, has many cultural events and places adorned with festivities and cultural monuments, including 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 of their traditional ceremony. Culled from Wikipedia. 4 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by modhream: 7:21pm On Jul 25, 2014 |
Was waiting on poster to post his link before countering most of the inaccuracies already noticed in his post,but........ Ichi town is in Ekwusigo LGA not Nnewi North from whence they were carved out along with Oraifite. Nnewi,Isu,Oraifite n Ichi are reckoned to be sons of same parents,Ikenga and Nmaku,some history versions reckon the man's name to be Nmaku n is silent on the wife's name.Ikenga n Nmaku,according to Oral history,were the original founders of the settlement later known as Nnewi,from whence Ichi n Oraifite dispersed to found their own holdings.Isu's sons/grandsons/descendant were said to have gone on ritual exile due to a murder/manslaughter in the family from whence only a part returned n were absorbed in what is Uruagu today.Others were said to have settled in such places as Igbouzo,Ogwashi n other parts of Anambra n Imo states today (don't know how true that part of the story is) Also note,Nnewi never had an Obi Nnewi.What we've always had are the four Obis of Otolo,Uruagu,Umudim n Nnewi-ichi of which the Obi Otolo is primus hence Igwe Nnewi.The titles of Obi Otolo n Igwe Nnewi go hand in hand,they cannot be separated. Again,the four quarters are not villages,but communities that can stand alone in themselves but being of same ancestry remain one community. Each quarter is made up of several villages,each village in turn made up of several Umunnas.Yes,the lead family in each umunna holds the obi of such umunna while the lead family of the lead umunna provides the obi of the village. The assembly of the obis of a quarter's villages,along with certain title-holders constitute the Ime-Obi of such quarter,with the quarter Obi presiding. The four Obis,along with certain Nnewi-wide titleholders make up the Igwe-in-Council. All traditional posts are hereditary. The highest decision-making/legislative body is Nzuko-Ora Nnewi,an assemblage of adult males,elders,priests n titleholders. It can be said that Nnewi has been running a federal structure centuries before Nigeria ever thought of it. 11 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by shadowwalker101: 5:39am On Jul 26, 2014 |
Long write up [img]http://www.?aff=391[/img] |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by seedord247(m): 5:46am On Jul 26, 2014 |
So in summary igbo's aint egypt again... They hailed from Edo.. |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by alaladakosta(f): 5:51am On Jul 26, 2014 |
I hear, but.....
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Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Inyanga(m): 5:58am On Jul 26, 2014 |
Summarize brother.. am i suppose to read all this? |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Smartsyn(m): 6:14am On Jul 26, 2014 |
So how come the name Nnewi- the mother of bushmeat? |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by ojimbo(m): 6:28am On Jul 26, 2014 |
one funny thing is that the city lacks town planning. Just dont know if there will be enviromental sanitation there today because i know the town is not use to that. ANAEDO KWENU!!! |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by kekakuz(m): 6:41am On Jul 26, 2014 |
another long slave story. they were not allowed to eat goat which they prepared for their Yoruba masters daily. when oranmiya finally liberated them.the only thing they feel like eating was ewu(goat) but they are afraid the their masters will know because ewure (goat) is the special meat of the Yoruba masters. so they shorten ewure to ewu as a form of disguise yet the are afraid the yourubas will still know because they are great in knowledge. so the used ewi meaning rat. they felt their Yoruba lords will not be angry if they heard that they are eating rat.(rat who cares lol) that is how rats saved them from slavery and that settlement was named nnewi for we were saved by the rats. till this day,people of nnewi don't eat Bush rat but they don't mind eating house rat as that is the only way they can secretly eat rat. I hope you learnt the truth. 1 Like |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by ZUBY77(m): 6:47am On Jul 26, 2014 |
Stop referring to Nnewi as a city. Plus Awka has surpassed it as the second largest in Anambra |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by 500GP: 7:13am On Jul 26, 2014 |
SO ANAMBRA IS A NO MAN'S LAND. BENIN HAS A STAKE IN ANAMBRA 1 Like |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by janykute: 7:28am On Jul 26, 2014 |
modhream: Was waiting on poster to post his link before countering most of the inaccuracies already noticed in his post,but........ Ichi town is in Ekwusigo LGA not Nnewi North from whence they were carved out along with Oraifite.Daalu biko Nwanna.You are on point. 3 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by janykute: 7:29am On Jul 26, 2014 |
ZUBY77: Stop referring to Nnewi as a city.Nnewi is more of an urban than a village.Can't wait for a new Anaedo state with nnewi as the capital 3 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by calobinna(m): 7:33am On Jul 26, 2014 |
Proudly Nnewi....i love the post, it must be in my archives! 4 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by snadguy007(m): 7:34am On Jul 26, 2014 |
Nnekamezor....come read story o |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by calobinna(m): 7:38am On Jul 26, 2014 |
kekakuz: another long slave story.where did U get this from?...it sounds irritating..with no source? #proudly Nnewi 8 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by calobinna(m): 7:39am On Jul 26, 2014 |
500GP: SO ANAMBRA IS A NO MAN'S LAND. BENIN HAS A STAKE IN ANAMBRAdid u smoke weed? 2 Likes |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by samplegirl(f): 7:41am On Jul 26, 2014 |
seedord247: So in summary igbo's aint egypt again... They hailed from Edo.. Forgot your medication again abi? 1 Like |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by ImperialMcHael(m): 7:45am On Jul 26, 2014 |
If I were interested, I'd surf wikipedia myself! Btw, Ayamelum would soon take over. |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by dandollaz: 7:45am On Jul 26, 2014 |
seedord247: So in summary igbo's aint egypt again... They hailed from Edo..When did nnewi represent all igbo land?onitsha indigen are migrant.igbos are tribe of isreal |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by calobinna(m): 7:47am On Jul 26, 2014 |
modhream: Was waiting on poster to post his link before countering most of the inaccuracies already noticed in his post,but........ Ichi town is in Ekwusigo LGA not Nnewi North from whence they were carved out along with Oraifite.Nwanne isi gi no there...not everything written on books are correct..thanks for the correction! #ProudlyNnewi 1 Like |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by ImperialMcHael(m): 7:48am On Jul 26, 2014 |
seedord247: So in summary igbo's aint egypt again... They hailed from Edo..And Edo hailed from the Yorubas. |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by ZUBY77(m): 7:49am On Jul 26, 2014 |
janykute: I didn't say Nnewi is a village. I said its not a city. It's a town. Large town, developing fast. Anaedo State? Well Nigeria could be 1500 states by then. With my compound a local govt |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by 500GP: 7:54am On Jul 26, 2014 |
calobinna: did u smoke weed? QUESTION FOR THE GODS. ANAMBRA IS A NO MAN'S LAND. BENIN HAS A STAKE IN ANAMBRA |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by Nobody: 7:55am On Jul 26, 2014 |
My friends from the east keep saying they rather pardon a snake than a nnewi desendant..why is it so |
Re: Brief History Of Nnewi by 500GP: 7:57am On Jul 26, 2014 |
ImperialMcHael: AND IBO HAILED FROM THE YORUBALAND. |
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