Nibo

Place in Anambra State, Nigeria

Nibo

Nibo

Location in Nigeria

Coordinates: 6°10′N 7°04′E﻿ / ﻿6.167°N 7.067°E﻿ / 6.167; 7.067
Country|  Nigeria
State| Anambra State

Nibo is a town in the Awka South local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

There are four major villages that make up the town. In order of seniority they are; Ezeawulu, Umuanum, Ifite and Ezeoye. Nibo is a community of cooperative people who work jointly for the development of the town.[1]

## Origins

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Nibo's origin is deeply tied to the migration and settlement patterns of the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. Oral traditions describe the founding families and hierarchical relationships among the villages. Nibo maintained distinct leadership traditions and played a crucial role in regional administration during pre-colonial and early colonial eras.

## Traditional institutions

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Nibo operates rotational governance. The traditional stool, Ezeike (title derives from the Igbo words "Eze" meaning king and "Ike" meaning mighty, thus translating to "High or Mighty King" which is held for life, rotates among the four villages, though this was not always the case. There had been some dispute over who was the unified traditional ruler[2] of Nibo (referred to as 'Ezeike') between Umuanum and Ezeawulu villages. The leader of Ezeawulu village was Oke Ezekwe/Ezekwem from Umuka while that of Umuanum was Nnama Orjiakor-Ele from Umuenechi.

Nnama Orjiakor Ele was the ruler of Nibo before the coming of the British and was granted a Royal Warrant in 1896 by Queen Victoria of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland together with other southern Paramount rulers such as Onyeama of Eke, Ojiako Ezenne of Adazi, Kodilinye of Obosi, Onwurah of Awka, Obi of Onitsha, Agwuna of NRI and Ukpo. Nnama was appointed the President of Awka Customary Court of Appeal (1898–1945), He also served as a Judge in the Provincial Court of Appeal for Onitsha Colonial Residency covering the Niger Provinces (what is now known as Anambra and Enugu States). Nnama was deputy judge in the Omenuko Court presided by notorious colonial resistance leader, Okoli Ijoma[3] (a merchant warlord with deep ties to Aro people, who imposed his own court system using militia force and Ibini Ukpabi deity - long juju \- reverence) ruling over the old Awka province involving over 100 towns. He was from Umuanum village, which was at war with Ezeawulu and Ezekwe over the rulership of Nibo. After decades of war, peace finally prevailed when Nnama and Ezekwe decided that Nnama's eldest son, Orji Joshua Nnama and Ezekwe's eldest daughter Mgbafor Selina Ezekwe should marry. This appeared to be the best resolution, uniting both villages, at which point Nnama Orjiakor-Ele remained as Ezeike (high king) of Nibo till his death in 1945.

Upon the death of Nnama Orjiakor, his son Prince Joshua Nnama chose to pass over the throne to pursue his Christian work as a missionary in SE Nigeria. His son GCD Nnama was then given the throne. However, proper ceremonial rights were not done for many years. Nibo was thus officially without a ruler till the town decided to vote and pass the rule rotating rulership among the villages to make the process fair. Prior to that time, Nibo never had rotational governance. Onwuegbune from Umuanum Village the next in seniority was crowned in the 1970s, and upon his death, Dr. Sir Eze Ugonwanne M.C. Ngene[4] from Ifite village ascended the throne, after which the traditional stool would move to Ezeoye village, continuing the rotational order.

## Northcote Thomas, the British colonial archaeologist and the Re-Entanglements Project

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Photographs of Nibo's first ruler, and Warrant Chief in 1911 Nnama, his kinsmen in Umuanum and Nibo (Afo Ngene Shrine, Obunagu and others) from 1911, taken by the British colonial archaeologist have surfaced. The photographs were taken by the British colonial anthropologist Northcote Thomas during the second tour of Southern Nigeria (1910–11).[5] The remarkable archives of these anthropological surveys are the subject of a three-year project that Professor Paul Basu[6] (University of London) is running.[7]

The negatives of the photographs are held by the Royal Anthropological Institute[8] and prints are indeed in the collections of the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.[9] These photographs numbering almost 300, portray Nibo in a never been seen manner, showcasing its historical importance. Most notable of the pictures are; profile portrait of Nnama Orjiakor-Ele, a photo montage of his kinsmen taken in 1911 and photo of front of the family court which served as his palace built around 1854 by his father as preserved till date taken in 2019.

* Portrait of Nnama Orjiakor-Ele taken 1911

* 2019\. His grandson identifies photo of Nnama Orjiakor-Ele

* Nnama Orjiakor-Ele palace court, photo taken 2019

* Montage of Nibo clans men, 1911

## Governance structure

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The town operates under a traditional leadership system headed by The Ezeike-in-Council is supported by village heads, a council of elders, and age-grade systems. Nibo is organized around a central town union, which coordinates development efforts both locally and through its diaspora networks.

## Neighboring towns

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The town shares boundaries with neighboring communities such as Amawbia, Nise, Mbaukwu, and Awgbu. Nibo is part of the ancestral home of the Awka region, a cluster of towns with a shared heritage and cultural lineage.

## Present-day leadership

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Born in 1940 in Ifite village, Nibo, Eze Ugonwanne M.C. Ngene was taken at a young age to live with his uncle, Igwe Oranye of Umuawulu, where he was first exposed to traditional governance and then ascended the throne in 1985 as the Ezeike IV of Nibo,

A proponent of education, M.C Ngene briefly served as headmaster at Central School - Nibo, reflecting a professional background grounded in academics. His reign has focused on promoting youth and community development through modern outreach and cultural continuity as he fosters inclusive and dedicated leadership. He is recognized for honoring outstanding indigenes and strengthening Nibo’s public image while preserving traditional practices.[10]

## Geography and demographics

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Nibo lies in a tropical savanna zone, characterized by moderate rainfall and a mix of plains and gentle hills. According to data from City-Facts, Nibo has a population of approximately 9,778 residents, with a population density of around 3,599 people per square kilometer.

## Nnemulu – Obodo Women Group

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This is the women's wing of the town administration. This is a very strong organ of women that enforce discipline within the community. The Nnemulu – Obodo Society of Nibo" comprising all women of Nibo was founded in mid-1950s by Selina Mgbafor Nnama (née Ezekwe) signifying the emancipation of Nibo women as they gathered together to build the Nibo Maternity and Health Centre. In the early 1950s, Nibo had no maternity home and there were none in the neighboring towns of Mbaukwu, Nise, Umuawulu and Isiagu. The nearest maternity home was in St Faiths Church Awka about 10 miles away, the next was in Catholic Hospital Adazi about 12 miles and lastly Iyienu Hospital, Ogidi about 20 miles from Nibo. The implication was that most women delivered their babies at home using the expertise of traditional midwives. Those who could afford to deliver their babies in the maternity experienced unbearable transport difficulties as they were mostly carried on head or bicycles due to scarcity of motor vehicles in those days. In the early fifties, there was nothing like motorcycle service or "Okada" as it is commonly known today. A good number of women with breech births, facial presentations and other labour complications were not so lucky to make it to these distant maternity homes and hospitals.

Endowed with her indefatigable virtue, Selina Mgbafor Nnama was in no way deterred. In an unprecedented rally at Eke Nibo, thousands of women gave her a standing ovation and endorsed her plans that a maternity centre should be built and that Nibo women will also unilaterally enforce the control of cows and bulls which wander around the town and feeding on agricultural farms, by literally "holding the bulls by the horns"[11] and fining the owners 3 British pounds, an amount which at 1954 prices could buy three modern bicycles and was enough to pay three months' salary of a grade two teacher. Nibo women elected notable ladies of blessed memories such as the late Nwangbafor Agubalu, a renowned traditional midwife from Ezeawulu, the late Mrs. Okeke from Umuanum, the late Mrs. Pricillia Okafor, a renowned bread baker from Ifite and the late Mrs. Chine from Ezeoye to assist Chief Mrs. Selina Nnama in co-coordinating the activities and programs of Nnemuluobodo Society. The Nibo United States group is currently undergoing a project that involves expanding the Maternity Centre and donations are being accepted.

## Festivals

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Nibo has various traditional festivals which include Onwa Asa (New Yam festival), Onwa Asato,[12] Nibo Carnival,[13] an event that focuses on emerging traditions, showcasing local and international talents in music, arts, pageantry, and games. The carnival, which began in 2016, is held on 23–25 December. And Ezeike Day, formerly called Nibo Day, follows the carnival. Ezeike Day is usually presided over by the Ezeike-in-council. It is a very important day usually held on 26 December every year. It is a day for recognition of prominent members and friends of the town who contribute to the development of the town.[14]

## Nibo Union

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Town Union

Nibo Union is the central civic and cultural organization of the town of Nibo, located in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It serves as a unifying institution overseeing community governance, cultural heritage, town development, and welfare coordination—both locally and across the diaspora.

## History and role

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The Union was formally established in 1965 to provide structured leadership and coordinate town development projects. It evolved from earlier forms of communal leadership tied to Nibo’s age-grade and village council systems. Over time, it became the apex town union responsible for representing the community in regional matters and facilitating development initiatives.

The town union is the engine room of the town administration. They handle revenue collection, enforcement of rules and infrastructural development. Usually, town unions are organised wherever Nibo people are all over the world and linked to Nibo. The Nibo United States group has a website and is a very active group, with their annual Nibo convention held every third weekend in July in a preselected US city. For the first time since its inception, the Ezeike attended the 19th annual Nibo convention which was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 22 through July 24, 2016.

## Union organizational structure

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Nibo Union Secretariat is governed by an elected executive led by a Secretary-General, who represents the community and coordinates union activities. The executive body also includes the Treasurer, and other key officials, who work with village's representatives from Nibo’s four quarters: Ezeawulu, Umuanum, Ifite, and Ezeoye.

The Union conducts periodic General Meetings at the Civic Centre in Eke Nibo, and holds Annual Conventions, especially involving diaspora branches.

## Nibo Union in diaspora

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Branches of the Nibo Union exist in various parts of the world, including South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA. Nibo Union USA, formed in 1998. These diaspora unions help coordinate support for community projects back home, maintain cultural identity, and assist members abroad.

## Duty and respect in Nibo tradition

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In the context of Nibo and broader Igbo society, "Duty" refers to the moral and civic responsibilities one holds toward family, community, and ancestors. This includes participation in communal labor, respect for age and tradition, and upholding societal roles. "Respect" involves showing honor, deference, and regard to elders, institutions, and cultural norms. It is expressed through greetings, compliance with communal decisions, and valuing collective well-being over individual gain.

Together, these values uphold social harmony and are deeply embedded in the Union’s function and the age-grade system.

## Age Grade Societies

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Nibo maintains a robust age-grade system known as "Otu Ogbo" in Igbo tradition. This system organizes men and women into generational groups that serve both social and civic functions. Each age grade is assigned responsibilities such as town sanitation and road maintenance, cultural event planning, security and order enforcement, support during town festivals.

Though specific names of the active age grades in Nibo are not widely published, they follow a generational progression system and play a critical role in communal development. Recent Civil Project include construction of the Nibo Civic Centre (2010s), rehabilitation of Eke Market Roads (2020), expansion of town water infrastructure (2021–2023), support for town security initiatives (2022–2023). These efforts have been funded through local levies, diaspora contributions, and partnerships with NGOs and government agencies.

## Civil developments

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Despite the presence of a well-constructed access road near the Government Lodge in Awka, Nibo's internal roads remained neglected and in poor condition from the military junta era until very recently. Some may argue that the history of political instability which affected the governor's office caused strained civic relations between the state government and the Nibo community, contributing to this prolonged oversight but throughout much of the Fourth Republic, successive democratic governments allocated limited budgetary resources to Nibo, with more substantial investments only beginning to appear in recent times.

2022 developments saw major civil improvements through joint efforts by the Nibo Town Union and the Anambra State Government. On March 27, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo commissioned the Nibo Community Hospital, built by US-based Nibo indigenes.[15]

A month earlier, the government had also completed extensive road rehabilitation projects in the town followed by frequent visitations, steady infrastructural development and residential improving access and mobility. These developments reflect good collaboration between the state and the community.[16]

## Culture and social life

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Nibo retains a vibrant cultural life marked by festivals, traditional dances, masquerades, and ancestral veneration. Age-grade organizations play a central role in social cohesion, and cultural activities are often linked with civic development.

## Recent security concerns

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In recent years, Nibo, along with neighboring communities in Anambra State, has experienced a surge in violent incidents attributed to cult groups and insurgents. These groups have instilled fear among residents, leading to calls for enhanced security measures.

October 2024 Incident: During the annual New Yam festival in October 2024, Nibo was the site of a tragic event where at least thirteen (13) people were killed by suspected cultists.[17] The assailants targeted a drinking establishment near Oye Nwochichi Market, resulting in multiple fatalities. The violence raised significant concerns, especially given Nibo's proximity to the Governor's Lodge and the Anambra State Police Command headquarters.

November 2024 Attacks: In November 2024, gunmen launched simultaneous attacks on Abatete in Idemili North and Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Areas. The assailants targeted security personnel, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. These incidents underscore the pervasive security challenges in the region.

### Law enforcement response

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The Anambra State Police Command promised intensified efforts to combat these security threats. Operations have been conducted to dismantle insurgent hideouts, resulting in the recovery of weapons and ammunition. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, and residents continue to advocate for improved safety measures.

The Anambra State government condemned the killings and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.[18] The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, expressed deep sympathy for the victims' families and assured the public that the government was determined to end such violent crimes in the state.

Bounty: To aid in the apprehension of those responsible, the government announced monetary reward for individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of the culprits.[19]

## Notable people from Nibo

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His Royal Majesty Eze Dr M. C Ngene[20] \- Ezeike IV of Nibo

Christopher Ubosi

Dr. Phillip Ezekwe

## References

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1. ^ "History of Nibo - Nibo Union". Nibo Union - Duty and Respect. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
2. ^ Ene, Princewill (2021-11-15). "Traditional Rulers and Local Government in Nigeria". Walyben. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
3. ^ "Okoli Ijoma Archives". [Re:]Entanglements. 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
4. ^ "Ezeike Nibo - home". nibotown.com. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
5. ^ "Rediscovering Northcote Thomas's artefact collections". 25 July 2018.
6. ^ "Professor Paul Basu | Staff | SOAS University of London".
7. ^ "[Re:]Entanglements Exhibitions". [Re:]Entanglements. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
8. ^ "Royal Anthropological Institute". Wiley Digital Archives. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
9. ^ "Nibo Archives". [Re:]Entanglements. 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
10. ^ Nation, The (2016-12-21). "Nibo community set for festival". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
11. ^ "grab the bull by the horns". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
12. ^ "New Yam Festival: The Most Celebrated Event in Igboland. - Welcome To InlandTown Online | Get hot information on Onitsha". 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
13. ^ "Carnival - home".
14. ^ "Nibo community set for festival The Nation Newspaper". 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
15. ^ Idika, Kalu (2023-12-30). "Soludo commissions hospital built by US-based Nibo indigenes". News Band. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
16. ^ Anigbogu, Queen (2024-03-28). "Nibo lauds Governor Charles Soludo on roads infrastructure".
17. ^ Obianeri, Ikenna (2024-10-20). "Gunmen invade Anambra communities, kill 13". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
18. ^ Nwafor (2024-10-21). "Nibo Gunmen Attack: Survivors share harrowing experiences as Soludo visits community". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
19. ^ Post, City (2024-11-02). "Anambra community against cultism : provides N10 Million Reward For Information On Cult-Related Murders". Retrieved 2025-05-11.
20. ^ "Nibo", Wikipedia, 2025-04-17, retrieved 2025-04-17