Umuleri


Umueri, also known and pronounced as Umuleri, is an ancient town in the Anambra State of Southeastern Nigeria. The people of Umuleri belong to the Igbo ethnic group, and the town has an estimated population of 432,000. It is located within the Anambra Valley, bordered by the Anambra River and Anam communities in the north, Nteje to the south, Aguleri and Nando in the east and Nsugbe in the western flank.
The forebears are widely acknowledged as the settlers in Omambala valley.

History

The origin of Umueri is sourced from the natives of the town who believe in the oral tradition that their clan was founded by Children of a man named Eri. This Oral tradition passed from generation to generation indicates that Umueri ancestors are a group of migrating clan from an unknown place. The Settlers that infiltrated into the land settled at a place called Eri-aka and founded a clan called “Umueri”. Though the exact date, that they settled on the land was not known, many scholars were of view that it occurred around 940AD.

Division and administration

Traditionally, Umuleri is broadly divided into 3 clans: Ezi, Ikenga, Ivite. The clans are further divided into villages and sub-villages. But with advent of colonialism and modernization, the town has consciously grown and governed just like other Igbo Communities. The three traditional clans of Umuleri are written down below with their corresponding Villages:
The pre-colonial Umuleri government was a republican but with influence of Bini Kingdom in Umuleri land, it changes to Monarchical in nature in which the Eze resided in Ivite. The Prime Minister & Ajie in Ikenga and Ezi respectively. Modern administration since colonization relegated this system and enthroned the Igwe Dynasty which is prevalent Institution till date.
The Igwe dynasty has come to stay including but not limited to the performance of basic traditional rites. The Ofala festival is traditionally performed by one who holds the, the traditional ruler. The New Yam festival is performed by the Onowu, Ajie and ``Igwe Oke-ebo``
Below is the Structure of Present Umuleri Administration:
  1. Igwe in-Council - The Traditional Ruler and his Cabinet
  2. Council of Elders - The Elders of the Community
  3. Umuotu - An Elite Age Grade that helps in implementing laws in the Community
  4. Town Union - Umuleri General Assembly

    Religion

Prior to the coming of Europeans, Umueri people practiced traditional religion with the worship of various deities. However, they had since embraced Christianity about a century ago. Today, there are more than 85% Christians in the town. The major Christian faiths are the Catholic and Anglican denominations.
Some other churches, especially of the Pentecostal faith, have emerged in Umueri in the past fifty years. The town is also referred to as a pinnacle of Anglican evangelism as it has one of the oldest churches east of the Niger. Churches that are bound in the town include and not limited to the following: St Immanuel Anglican Church, St Gabriel Anglican Church, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, St Marks Catholic Church Nneyi etc.

Infrastructure

Most of the public basic infrastructure in the town is built by the community. The community-built infrastructures are as follow: Umueri General Hospital, Umueri Town Hall, Recreation Club House, Umueri Girls High School, Ugume Umueri, Umueri High School, Obinetiti, Community Secondary School, Umuatuolu, Umueri Development School, Nneyi, Umueri Postal Agency, Umueri Community Bank, Afiama Market, Eke Market, Nkwo Nneyi Market, etc.
The few infrastructure owned by government includes the following: Umueri Nomadi School at Umudiana-Umueri, Umueri Head Bridge, Umueri Civic Center, Umueri Library and Skill Acquisition Center, Umueri Orient Refinery, Anambra State Umueri International Airport, Umueri township stadium, Umueri High Court and Judges quarters, Umueri 54 Squadron Mobile Police Force, Umueri barracks, Police institute of finance and administration Umueri, Inec Office Umueri, etc.