₦airaland Forum

More pictures from Ada Palm

Imo Palm Plantation - Adapalm Ohaji
The Plantation was started by MI Okpara and got to an advanced stage during the tenure of Dee Sam Mbakwe. It covers 2 LGA’s

Walter Smith Modular Refinery Ibigwe Egbema


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKciEplioF0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnGmh1-zLsI

Seplat Anoh Gas project Ohaji by ABC Orjiako


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaW928KcfpE

Nigerian Breweries Awo-Omama
Formerly Consolidated Breweries, the plant's brands cover the Lager, Stout and Malt categories and include "33" Export Lager Beer, Turbo King Dark Ale, Williams Dark Ale, Hi- Malt and Maltex Malt.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkx6iTJ5Rbo

Owu festival in parts of Orlu
The Owu (Oghu) festival is celebrated in many communities in Orlu zone, in Mbaitoli in Owerri zone and in Ihiala axis of Anambra. The Oru people of Awo-Ommama were said to be the orginators before it spread to other communities.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17HeCISRWgc


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBzi92fncd8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN3FLtuAwAk

.

History
The place known as Orlu zone or Imo west senatorial district comprises 12 LGA. Although under Imo state, majority of the local government and her people have overtime forged a strong political bond.

The LGA that comprises the zone used to be under one old Orlu division in the colonial era. But due to the policy of decentralization, new LGA’s were created to give the large population a sense of belonging.

It is important to note that the likes of Onuimo (now in Okigwe zone), Ihiala, parts of Aguata, Nnewi South, and Orumba (all in Anambra) that were once under the old Orlu division are not part of the current make-up of Orlu. Each of them now fall under different senatorial zones and states.
The LGA that makes up present Orlu zone are as follows:

1. Orlu
2. Orsu
3. Oru west
4. Oru east
5. Oguta
6. Ideato north
7. Ideato south
8. Ohaji/Egbema
9. Nwangele
10. Isu
11. Njaba
12. Nkwerre

The Orlu Identity
Orlu senatorial zone should not be confused with Orlu which is both a town and a local government area. Orlu itself is a name of a village called Orlu Gedegum with an Igwe Orlu from the house of Eze Achilonu. But don't get confused when a person from Isu LGA for instance tells you that he’s from Orlu. Why?

The reason is because people in the the 12 LGA regard themselves as Orlu people right from when they were in the colonial Orlu division; and they still do so till today despite new local government delineations, and differences in the local government names.

Origin
Orlu people are mainly of Isu stock of the Igbo people. However, there are also people with Oru, Aro, Nri/Umudioka, Oratta, Ukwuani and Ikwerre heritage. People from Oguta town (not Oguta LGA) are of the same stock with Ndiosimili Ukwuani people of Delta state with similar spoken dialect. Awarra court area in Ohaji share same kinship with the Ikwerre, while Egbema in Imo are siblings with Egbema in Rivers. Orsu people share same heritage with those from Nnewi south; the Oru’s on the other hand are the same kins with people from Ihiala, while Ideato have same links with people from Aguata.

Cultural Festival
The popular festivals celebrated by people of this zone are thus:
1. New Yam festival (Iriji/Iwaji/Omerife)
2. Owu (pronounced Oghu)
3. Mmanwu
4. Ekeleke
5. Ikeji
6. Okorosha
7. Okonko
8. Ebuebu

Language
Orlu people speak the Isuama dialect of the Igbo language. Though variations exist in some communities, but are mutually understandable by all. In Oguta town for instance, their dialect is similar to what is spoken in Aboh Delta state and Ndoni Rivers state. The dialect spoken in Awarra court area in Ohaji also is similar to what is spoken in Ikwerre, while the dialect spoken in Egbema is similar to Ogba in Rivers state. However the rest of Orlu people speak mutually intelligible dialect to what is spoken in the rest of Imo state as well as Ihiala LGA, Nnewi South, Aguata and Orumba LGA’s of Anambra state.

Industry
Orlu people are prominent in the pharmaceutical industry. There are also a lot of them doing several businesses in different trades like spare parts, transportation, electronics and electrical etc in major Nigerian cities. In the village however, farming, trading and fishing are the main occupation.

Economy
Orlu zone boast the oil producing communities of Imo state. The oil wells and gas pipelines in the Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru east LGA’s are the main oil producing areas in Imo state. Although Ngor-Okpala, Mbaitoli, Owerri west and Ikeduru LGA’s under Owerri zone are marked as oil bearing, but they are yet to be tapped by the state.

In 2006, Addax petroleum the Canadanian prospecting oil firm struck oil in the Njaba river basin. But the area is still untapped and will be a future goldmine for the state.https://www.ogj.com/exploration-development/article/17276224/addax-reports-oil-discovery-in-nigeria

Agriculture
Orlu boast large plantation of cashew, palm oil and other cash crops. Famous amongst them are the Adapalm plantation in Ohaji, cashew plantation in the Njaba/Isu forest and rubber plantation in Obiti Egbema. The fishing industry in Oguta and a host of other agro investment potentials in the state.

Tourism
Orlu zone boast much tourist attractions. Such as:
1. Oguta lake
2. Oguta golf course built by Late Dee Sam Mbakwe
3. The Ekwe caves in Isu LGA
4. The famous Ikeji festival in Arondizuogu
5. Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu
6. Ngwu Natural Spring Nkwerre
7. Palm Beach Holiday Resort Awo-Omama
8. Iyi Ogidi Spring Amaifeke
9. Eke Njaba
10. Urashi waterfall
11. And a host of others.

Industrialization
Orlu zone boast multinational companies such as:
1. Nigerian Breweries (formerly Consolidated Breweries) at Awo-Ommama Oru East
2. Ada Palm at Ohaji
3. Oguta Port (now moribund)
4. Rubber Estate at Obiti Egbema (now moribund)
5. Walter Smith Modular refinery Egbema
6. Seplat Gas Processing Company Ohaji
7. International Market Orlu
8. Imo State Cardboard Industry Orlu
9. Orlu Stadium

Higher Institution
1. IMSUTH Orlu
2. Imo Poly Ohaji
3. School of Nursing Amaigbo
4. School of Nursing & Technology Okporo
5. Hezekiah University Nkwerre
6. Eastern Palm University Ogboko
7. Immigration Training School Umuowa

Politics
Orlu zone is politically strong when it comes to Imo politics. Since 1999 during the return of democracy, the zone has interchanged government among themselves. Aside from when Ohakim from Okigwe zone ruled as Governor, the likes of Achike Udenwa, Rochas Okorocha and now Hope Uzodimma are all from Orlu zone. Although not fair, the zone is always advantageous because of the 12 LGA it has which dwarfs those in other zones of Imo state.

Quest for State Creation
Orlu has been at the front for a sixth South-East state. Since the 2nd republic, Senator Arthur Nzeribe spearheaded the Orashi state movement encompassing the 12 Orlu LGA’s to be joined with Onelga and Ahoada in present Rivers state. The move however got the backing of the national assembly in 2005.

But there was a disagreement between Governor Udenwa and Senator Nzeribe on things like name, geographical boundary and capital.

While Udenwa and later joined by Mbadinuju wanted Njaba/Anim state inclusive of parts of Anambra south but with the capital in Orlu town, Nzeribe wanted Orashi state with Ahoada and ONELGA to be part of it but with capital in Oguta. The move for the state creation died down when Obasanjo requested the SE state creation caucus to key into his third term agenda. However the creation of a new sixth state for the SE is still in the front burner with clamour for Njaba, Anioma, Adada, Aba, Orashi, Orimili, Anim, etc all staking a claim.
https://allafrica.com/stories/200810210615.html

Major Town in Orlu Zone
Although there are over 100 towns in Orlu zone, the following below are the most developed.

1. Orlu
2. Oguta
3. Nkwerre
4. Umuaka
5. Mgbidi
6. Umuagwo
7. Akokwa
8. Amaigbo
9. Arondizuogu
10. Urualla
11. Umuowa
12. Awo-Omama
13. Awo-Idemili
14. Umundugba
15. Amaifeke
16. Okwudor
17. Izombe
18. Mmahu-Egbema
19. Ohoba
20. Amandugba
21. Osina
22. Dikenafai
23. Umueshi
24. Ozara
25. Ohoba
26. Okporo
27. Ebenator-Ekwe
28. Okwuabala
29. Amike
30. Akata
31. Abba
32. Ihioma
33. Okporo
34. Nkume
35. Otulu
35. Amiri
36. Atta
37. Owerre- Ebeiri
38. Amurie-Omanze
39. Isu-Njaba
40. Owerre-Nkworji


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd3q1ZTrB48

Redcrafton:
Buy you have posted pictures in the past using Arewa..instead of NW, NE or NC...

Na today. The Arrewa clown is an Osun indigene deceiving himself

Juicegal:
100%. You know Orlu very well. Good thing is that the Orlu township is fast expanding to Nkume in Njaba LGA. Once Rochas university kicks off fully, u will also see an expansion from Mgbee towards Ogboko and down to Ntueke , Osina and Urualla.

You are right about Orlu expanding into Nkume. I think it was deliberate by Udenwa. The plan is to was to make Orlu township extend towards Ideato/Akokwa to the north, linking Mbano/Okigwe to the west and connecting Orodo/Owerri to the south. But that plan was delayed by successive Governors. Although Ohakim and Rochas did some dualization of major roads, there was still this non-chalant attitude about their intentions. Let's see what Uzodinma has in stock.

Ojiofor:
Biafra is no more in existence.Anyone talking about Biafra of today is a scammer.
When ever the need arises, we shall create a brand new nation in Igboland.

Inasmuch as the OP have his own agenda, I think you're right. Fraudsters and non-entities have hijacked the Biafran ideals. First it was scammer Uwazuruike, and later came Ben Onwuka and now Nnamdi Kanu. All the above names have the same antecedents and only the draft will allow himself be fooled.

Ndigbo must do away with anything Biafra. It might be painful, but that's the truth. We should fight for our rights in Nigeria and stop the defeatist tendency the likes of IPOB is planting into our minds. And in the situation where the worst happens to Nigeria, we must allow charismatic and intellectual Igbos lead us, not egotistical clowns and their rag-tag zombies. Even the name Biafra should be expunged for an Igbo derivative in the future. Something like Republic of Igwebuike, Alaigbo or Ikenga.

Juicegal:
and many more infact over 100 towns.

Exactly over 100. Imo state is one is the highly urbanized state per km in Nigeria as a whole. And Imo west (Orlu zone) is part of that development. You’ll hardly find villages in Orlu zone nay Imo state. Virtually every community is a town by right.

That's why when I see some people posting pictures of only Orlu urban I laugh. Places like Oguta, Umuaka, Nkwerre, Akokwa, Mgbidi can rival Orlu town.

Beremx:
Mbaise people are big enough to have their own identity. They don’t need to hide under the Owerri identity

Sure Mbaise is a tribe on it's own. I think they are the largest in terms of population in the SE.

Juicegal:
Nope Dedetwo. There is a community from time immemorial called ORLU-GEDEGWUM also called Ishiobiukwu gedegwum They are bordered by Amaike, Umudioka Ukwu to the north, Mgbe and Ideato to the west, Umunna to the East and Amaifeke to the south.

This is the home of the popular Acholonu who was the first educated man in that axis and who the British installed as Igwe even when his village ,Eluama was not entitled to be the Igwe. (The headship of Orlu gedegwum was from the Umuokwara village but had no educated man as at then)

Orlu gedegwum never had any ORU connection and are of pure Isu stock and their dialect is same with that of other Isu communities around them like Amiake, Eziachi Umunna, Umuowa etc down to Nkwerre, Amaigbo and Isu proper(Nwangele and Isu LGA).

The popular Holy Trinity Catholic Diocese cathedral is located here in Umuire village of Orlu gedegwum community. Longtime Bishop Shanahan College is also located there at Eluama village of Orlu gedegwum.

That Acholonu family have produced men and women of timber and calibre. My Auntys husband who was former Imsu registrar is from there.

Juicegal:
D2 my brother i hear you. But Orlu Zone is a bit unique. Even though we have the majority 12 LGAs and population spread in Imo state, We are mostly of ISU and ORU origin unlike other zones and till Jesus comes we recognize that fact and hardly bask in unnecessary divisions. Isu people are also present in Owerri zone in parts of Orodo, Ofekata etc and Okigwe zone in Abajah, Anara, etc. We still recognize them as Isu kiths even though they are delineated into other senatorial zones.

You are right. We are of Isu and Oru stock. Isu initially were northern Igbos domiciled in places like Igboukwu, before a large chunk migrated south, further spreading to found places like Isuikwuato, Ikwuano, Umuahia, Owerri, Mbaise, Etche, Ngwa, Bende down to Cross River area in present Arochukwu LGA. There still exist Isu villages in Arochukwu.

The Oru/Olu are riverine Igbos who occupies the banks of the Niger and further down to the mouth of the atlantic. Ijaw historians said they founded many riverine communities in present day Bayelsa and Delta.

The major towns/cities that comprises Orlu zone are thus:

1. Orlu
2. Akokwa
3. Umuaka
4. Oguta
5. Umundugba
6. Nkwerre
7. Amaigbo
8. Osina
9. Ekwe
10. Arondizuogu
11. Ohaji
12. Awo-Idemili
13. Ihioma
14. Mgbidi
15. Umuowa
16. Awo-Omamma
17. Nnenasa

Dedetwo:
Also included in Isuama are Nkwerre, Isu, Nwangele and Onuimo.

Mbaitoli, Mbano, Ikeduru, half Okigwe, Ihiitte/Uboma are Isuama too. Each fall under Owerri and Okigwe zones.

5 Million likes for this.

Eastlink:
A welcome development. Something the SE should have done since 2003? They had the opportunity with with Buhari/Okadigbo ANPP but foolishly supported Obasanjo. What did Obasanjo gift them in return, political death? The same Obasanjo is the godfather of MASSOB who has now metamorphosed to IPOB, a monster currently ravaging the Igbo nation.

The opportunity arose again in 2007 with Buhari / Umezuoke but still our people ignorantly sold their birthright supporting Yar’adua / GEJ. Though Yar’adua was fair to everyone, but fairness and sympathy votes don’t count in Nigeria.

The last opportunity came in 2015 when Buhari toured the SE for Igbo alliance. A zone that had stood with him since 2001, but what he saw made him weep. Seeing that he couldn't get it he looked to the SW. This was where Ndigbo shit themselves in the foot. Even when the likes of Rochas with his APGA faction along with Ogbonnaya Onu ANPP rallied Ndigbo to join the APC, the wicked PDP politicians of Igbo extraction called them outcast and continued dining with the PDP. What should have been a bargaining chip in the APC was sold on the alter of greed. By foolishly standing with GEJ in 2015, the SE sounded their political death knell.

Well, It’s never too late than never. The SE must leave the PDP in drove, either starting a new party or seek the fellowship of the APC. A people must have self-worth and not be easily swayed by emotions. This is the lesson.

I agree with the write up.

Are you really sure about this OP.

Desmond Elliot is just like the proverbial Nzam that challenged his Chi to a wrestling match. I don't think this is ordinary. Something tells me Desmond’s village people have remembered him.

Desmond why? Why do you want to end your political career this early?

Desmond Why?

Serves him right

Great innovative

Osaro brother. The next Edo state commissioner of Police.

Trash! How does it put food on my table

Overqualified. Sentiments aside the Korean cannot lace Aunty Ngozi’s shoes. OP kill this hate syndrome before it eats you up. If you continue like this someone might take your glory when you need support.

Dele Momodu dey find fame. I guess Nnamdi Kanu has given him the PR job.

May his soul rest in peace

A welcome development

L