# Nkpor

Nkpor is a town in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state. The town of Nkpor had an estimated population of 109,377 in 2007. It is attached to the much larger city of Onitsha to the west, Oze to the north, Ogidi and Umuoji to the east, and Obosi to the south. The name 'Nkpor' is derived from the adulteration of the Igbo word nkpogha meaning 'repositioning'.Nkpor is known for its farming prowess. There is a maize known as ‘akpu aka Nkpor’ because of its robust yield and is reminiscent of Nkpor men who are often muscular. In ancient times, a rich man is known in Nkpor for his rich yam barn and the number of animals in his pen. An average Nkpor indigene does not buy foodstuff in the market and does not deny his visitors food. Nkpor is a traditional Community that worshiped the God of their ancestors before the advent of Christianity.

## History

The indigenes of Nkpor are descendants of a hunter called Okoli Otie, who settled in the location of the Current abode of Abatete town, with Eziowele and Abacha, etc. as their neighbours. Otie had three sons Omaliko, Oji and Dimudeke. Omaliko who was the eldest is the patriarch of the people of Abatete, the descendants of Oji are the people of Umuoji, while Nkpor indigenes are descended from Dimudeke. The people of Nkpor were originally called 'Umudim' and dwelt in the area where the town of Oraukwu is located now. However, due to incessant wars and strife with their neighbours, their elder brothers (Abatete and Umuoji) forcefully relocated them to their present site which was then uninhabited. This event led to the derivation of the name 'Nkpor' (ndi akpoghalu akpogha—nkpogha—nkpogho—Nkpor {this is the supposed sequence of transformation and adulteration of the name}). Nkpor is made up of five villages named after the children of Dimudeke: Isiome(Umusiome village), Ngwu(Isingwu village), Ububa(Ububa village), Nwafor(Amafor village), and Mgbachu. The Igwe (king) traditionally comes from Umusiome village (because they are the 'eldest'). Umusiome village consists of nine kindreds, each named after a single principal ancestor. Three of these kindreds are descendants of the sons of the first king of Nkpor. The descendants of Ezeonwu the first son, hold the 'ofor nwa di okpala' and therefore cannot be kings, but they crown the sons of Arinze, the middle son, who are the kings. The descendants of Ezekwem, the youngest son, sit near the king as trustworthy assistants and advisors. For this reason, only the descendants of Arinze can be kings in Nkpor. It is noteworthy that these kindreds who are descendants of the first king cannot inter-marry. Akuzo is one of the sons of Umusiome. The people of Nkpor though known in ancient times as fierce warriors, from which they derived the envious name 'obodo dike' (the land of the brave), are peace-loving people.

## Nkpor At A Glance

Nkpor community is the home of Anambra State School of Nursing, and a General Hospital named after the State's University teaching hospital - Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. There are also some highly rated hotels in and near Nkpor being one of the closest towns to the commercial Igbo city of Onitsha. Nkpor was once the headquarters of the defunct Idemili North West Local Government. Nkpor today is one of the major commercial towns of Anambra State.

## Nkpor Tradition

The Town is ruled by a Monarch whose ascension is hereditary. The Arinze Kindred of the Umuezenubosi clan of Umusiome village produces the Monarch known as EZE Nkpor who lives forever. The Igwe in Council is made up of twenty-five (25) red cap Chiefs from the five major villages of Nkpor. Each village is headed by a High Chief known as Ichie Ume. The five (5) Ndi Ichie Ume, namely Onowu, Ogene, Ewele, Ozoma, and Odu each representing the five major villages in Nkpor. The Ichie Ume attends Igwe in Council meeting with four other Ndichie viz; Eze Ralu oralu, Onyenso, Onyeisi, and Ichie Okwa. Nd’ichie Nkpor are capped at their respective villages and thereafter make an appearance at the Igwe's Palace for confirmation. Consequently, there are five Ndichie Councils in Nkpor. It is within this council that a deserving person would be capped. It is unacceptable for two male siblings of a woman to belong to Ndichie Nkpor. The wearing of a RED Cap is an exclusive reserve of Ndichie in Nkpor. Before you are capped as a member of Ndichie you must have taken the Ozo title. Issues bothering on customs and traditions are passed to the Ndichie for determination and adjudication. However, the Igwe Nkpor can award a title to a deserving indigene of Nkpor but that does not confer on the recipient membership of Ndichie Nkpor nor membership of Igwe-in-council but has the authority of the Igwe to wear a red cap.
OZO TITLE: Ozo title taking is an age old tradition which is a status symbol in Igbo land. It is taken by those who can afford it or who have relations or parents to sponsor them, provided that they are persons of upright character and integrity and are respected throughout the community. Nkpor has five (5) categories of Ozo depending on one's capacity. Below are the categories ranked in descending order Ozo IDI Ozo Nze Isi Ozo Nze Ani Ozo Ikwele, and Ozo Okpala When the Ozo title holders known as ndi Nze gather, Kolanut is broken according to seniority in the Ozo title. For example, the most senior Ozo among the Idi title holders will break the kola nut first and then follow in that order to the other categories of Ozo title. Ozo title taking is organized within Umunna or Umunne depending on the village arrangement. Each group of Ndi Ozo known as Agwa Ozo is responsible for the induction of an Ozo title holder. Nkpor observes its traditional calendar, especially among the traditional worshipers. There are traditional festivals such as ‘Ntu, Oru muo na nnu Muo, Ufiojioku, Udo N’ajana, Alomchi, Mgbeagbo, Enemma festivals, etc. The major crop cultivated by Ndi Nkpor are Yam, Cassava, Cocoyam, and Maize. The traditional cuisine of Onye Nkpor is cassava fufu (Akpu) with Onugbu soup for breakfast; Lunch is boiled Yam with Palm oil while dinner is Akpu with Onugbu soup.
CHRISTIANITY IN NKPOR: Nkpor embraced Christianity early given its proximity to Onitsha, the seat of the first Christian missionaries. The Church Missionary Society (CMS) was the first to arrive on the soil of the agrarian traditional town of Nkpor in 1904. In 1906, the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) took root in the community. The arrival of the RCM led to stiff competition and scrambling for membership among the citizens. Though this competition was intense, they respected each other's boundaries. The first time in any family conquers the family. These churches which started as outstations of the bigger churches in Onitsha can today boast of over fifteen Parishes each. The third Church denomination to arrive in Nkpor was the Odozi Obodo Sabbath Mission.

## Economy

The economy of Nkpor, like the rest of Greater Onitsha Metropolis, is largely trade and commercial activities. It has both traditional and conventional markets. The traditional markets include but are not limited to Eke Nkpor, Afor Nkpor, and Nkwo market amafor (Odu Igbo), while the conventional markets which are considered international markets are the New Spare parts market, Nkpor Main (Relief) Market, New Tyre Market, Old tyre Market, Mgbuka Market, and Motor cycle spare parts market all located at a very big village named Amafor Nkpor. These markets have made the town popular and earned the name of mini Anambra state. The reason is that so many indigenes of all other towns in Anambra State live and do business in Nkpor. Gradually, over the years, through sustained excellent leadership, industrial estates and foreign companies have continued to spring up in Greater Onitsha - creating skilled jobs, chains of lucrative businesses, foreign direct investments, and improving economic activities generally in the region often known for producing a significant number of highly skilled graduates yearly from renowned Universities in the area such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka amongst others.There are few newly Crude Oil producing wells in the Omambala and the Ogbaru areas fields, and the economy of the entire area is being transformed into a mega-economy from the traditional commercial activities at Onitsha.

## International Connections

Nkpor, Igbo and indeed the entire indigenous Igboland (or Igbo nation) is powerfully connected and accessible politically, economically, socially, and internationally to Africa and to the globe (or to the world) by land, air and by waters as well as by rail to some extent having at least 4 international airports, waterways and rivers that empty unto the sea as well as operational international land borders. Modern railway infrastructure is being developed, modernised, and expanded within the indigenous Igbo nation at the moment. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. Besides, its ancient traditional and cultural religious practices practiced by the size of its population, it is also powerfully connected for leadership by faith mostly through Christianity and Judaism or what could be called Igbo-Judeo-Christian faith and ritual. Besides, known rivers that wash into the sea from the indigenous country, a number of international airports are operating within her - increasing economic activities, creating and increasing business and other Organization operations, providing jobs, increasing international connections, and prospering Aviation Industry, revenue generation, and prosperity whilst making trade deals and operations easier and rewarding. Specifically, Nkpor and surrounding indigenous Igbo cities such as Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, the entire Anambra State, Enugu State, and Ebonyi State as well as indigenous cities of neighboring Igala nation such as Okene in Kogi are within the easiest service coverage of and would benefit economically from the newly commissioned Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport at Umueri in Omambala by the people. There is also another airport in the not too father away Enugu International Airport. Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport is within the greater Onitsha metropolis or Anambra East and one of the renowned commercial aircraft carriers operating in the area is Air Peace. Ideally rather than flying, passengers using the road could travel from Abuja to Owerri through Okene and Onitsha. They can also travel from Lagos route to Owerri through Benin and Onitsha.