Ezi-Aja Or Ezigbo Aja Ocha [Good Soil] Eziaja Village (c. 1570s):
People of Eziaja settled at their present abode migrating from (present location of Umunocha Village in Awka-Etiti of the present Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State "citation needed") during the heat of Ekumeku resistance war between Igbos and British Royal Niger Company, war which started In the beginning of 1500s, escalated in the 1880s and lasted approximately over 30 years.
Then there was significant European presence in Igbo land which was primarily for trade and coastal contact. This account will focus in Awka-etiti-Eziaja shared ancestry. There were already indirect cold war. Invasion of Europeans in Awka etiti forced some inhabitants in Awka Diedo (from a place today's Umunocha village) to flee as some settled in neighboring lands in Igbo Ukwu, Neni (Eziaja) and others.
This is before the escalation of Ekumeku war in the early 1880s spearheaed by Western Igbos against British West African Frontier Force.
Awka-Etiti proved difficult to British colonialists’ invaders due to combine efforts of mercenaries. Efforts by the British colonialists to make inroads into Awka-Etiti around 1550s were rebuffed by Awka-Etiti warriors. The notoriety by which the colonialists were warded off pissed the Europeans so much so that Awka-Etiti was identified as being a major hindrance to the further advancement of British policy and had refused to comply with the demand to surrender. Some Awka-Etiti warriors were later neutralized by superior firepower of British Forces which brought an end to Awka-Etiti resistance.
Origin of Eziaja:
Account by Barr. Anthony Maduemem revealed that Ochoje Onwu Zu Ndu was said to be ancestor of Eziaja. He Eziaja Ocha migrated from Umunocha Village in Awka-Etiti in about the last quarter of the 16th century i.e about 1575 - 1585. He had three sons namely: Eze-Ikwеrе, Enuibe and Ikwuehi - Ikwеlefi) that is to say Obinato.
The Progenitor of Amakwa later arrived from Amakwa Village in Ozubulu and was welcomed by the trio of Eze-Ikwеrе, Enuibe and Ikwelefi.
Eze-Ikwеrе had four sons, Edede, Eyisi Atusili, Eyisi Onyiaogu and Ime. Eyisi Onyiaogu had no survivor and his abode was what is now referred to as Obi Onyia (Ubonyia).
While Enuibe, Ikwelefi, Amakwa, Edede and Ime went on to increase and multiply, Eyisi Atusili had two sons Agwo and Ezeani Atusili.
Agwo had a son, Eyisi Agwo who begot Dim who begot:
Aluomike the father of Anisiobu the father of Onyemelukwe who got lost or died childless.
Ezeani Atusili had three sons namely, Chidofo-Okpaladufo, Ezeani Ejeleghenegbu and Eyisi Ukwa. Eyisi Ukwa had no survivor as he was presumably sold into slavery on his [way?] to Umuchukwu.
Chidofo-Okpaladufo had offsprings who are now called / known as Umu Okpaladufo.
Ezeani Ejeleghenegbu had a son, Oha Amasi Onwu. The genealogy of Oha Amasionwu Ezuzo Anasiudu is therefore thus:
The Progenitor of Eziaja begot Eze Ikwеле, who begot Eyisi Atusili who begot Ezeani Atusili who begot Ezeani Ejeleghenegbu, the father of Oha Amasi Onwu, Ezuzo Anasiudu.
History of Kindreds In Eziaja village:
Eziaja village comprises 4 kindreds under four (4) wards. However, dispute erupt recently on ratio of sharing things in Eziaja of which the 7 method allegedly marginalized Amakwa kindred due to it's population. This is a controversial matter and may likely remain unsettled unless Amakwa is possibly divided into 2 kindreds and of which of course it is due.
(1) Amakwa (largest by population & landmass)
(2) Umuezeikwelle - Comprising of;
(a) Umuezuzo READ / DOWNLOAD History of Umuezuzo Family)
(b) Umuedede
(c) Umuokpaladifo and
(d) Umuime
(3) Umuenibe
(4) Umuikwefi
Furthermore, Umuenibe, Umuikwelefi, and Umuezeikwele made up the defunct Obinato-Eziaja linage.
Age Grades In Eziaja:
1. Ochiagha Age Grade
2. Ikemba
3. Okaibe
4. Gosife Utonwanneka
5. Utonwanne
6. Umuoma
7. Ogadimma
8. Umuchioma
9. Ifeadigo
10. Obinwanne
11. Umuife
Amakwa Kindred:
Ama-Akwa are group of migrants from Ozo Ubulu left their settlement following allegedly mysterious event in their ancestral land. They migrated to Neni, and was welcomed by Eziaja. Ikwerrefi alongside others from Eziaja allegedly spearheaded the allocation of part of Eziaja's land to Ama-akwa migrants.
The empty land where Amakwa Neni migrated from still exist in Amakwa village in Ozubulu. Sometime ago, traditional rurer of Ozubulu, HRH, Nnamdi Oruche paid a homage visit to Amakwa Community in Neni and planted a Kola nut In Amakwa as this is to further exercise brotherly bond between the two Communities. Read: The History of Ozubulu Town
Families In Amakwa Kindred:
There are handful of sub-families in Amakwa kindred. There were three brothers who migrated from Amakwa Village in Ozubulu to Amakwa Neni. They are:
1. Ezenebo
2. Owa
3. Utukolo
Ezenebo begat two sons which are:
1. Okpala-Ekeli
2. Eyisi
Owa moved to present day Anaocha LGA in Ezineni.
Utukolo had no issue
Okpala-Ekeli begat three sons which are:
1. Ezeani Okpala-Ekeli
2. Ikwele
3. Onyekuba
Ezeani Okpala-Ekeli begat two sons which are:
1. Ifekanandu
2. Utukolo
Ikwele had five sons which are:
1. Eyisiudo
2. Okpalanukwu
3. Agudosi
4. Anyadiegwu
5. Obeano.
Ifekanandu had two sons:
1. Chukwunelo
2. Okeke (Ononomkpo).
Chief Moses Anosike Snr (Nnanyeaka) account version of Nwokediuko Family Tree.
Onyekuba sons:
- Ndubuilo
- Nwokediuko
- Ibemesi
- Madubuike
- Ezuzo Riaku
Nwokediuko begot 7 sons and 7 daughters (14 Children total) from 3 wives.
- First wife:
a. Eyisi Obiajulu
b. Aghadiuche
- Second wife:
a. Chukwuyereonu
b. Anosike
c. Obidiako
- Third wife (Igwe Nwanyi from Obianodo family in Umueze village):
a. Alaysius Chidula
b. Reuben Aniekezie
Nwokediuko 7 Daughters: (names not available)
- Families of Nwokediuko's 7 sons:
- 1st son: Eyisi Obiajulu: (Family details: N/A)
- 2nd son: Chukwuyereonu: (Family details: N/A)
- 3rd son:
Aghadiuche:
(Family details: N/A)
- 4th son: Anosike: (Family details: N/A)
- 5th son: Obidiako:
(Family details: N/A)
- 6th son: Alaysius Chidula:
Alaysius Chidula married Odueze from Umudioka village. Their children are:
- Louisa
- Mathew (with 5 children: Ifunanya, Chidubem, Ikenna, Ejike, and Nonye)
- Josephine (with 1 daughter)
- Oge Adolf (with 2 children: Lotanna and Ifenna)
- 7th son: Reuben Aniekezie:
Although there are settlers already inhabiting the present location in Amakwa Neni. The first settlers are: Enidom (Nyekem descendant), Onyenwe Uwa (descendants unknown), etc
Chief Oliver Chukwuyereonu (Abiola) version of history of Amakwa/Nwokediuko Family:
Owa migration and settlement:
Owa moved to present day Anaocha LGA and later joined Ezineni village due to the distance of attending activities in Amakwa kindred, that is why someone from Amakwa can marry from Umu-owa kindred in Ezineni. E.g Moses Aloekwe from Amakwa married from Umeh family from Umuowa.
Shrines:
Amakwa has 3 shrine at the 3 entrance to the kindred. Ekeokpo, Ugbaja and Ididenka which has Obiadighigwe Obiano as the chief priest.
Nka has the chief priest from Amakwa "Obiadighigwe Obiano".
Eziaja Day Celebration History:
Having realized the great escape from British Colonial Army after decades, fastforward to Nigeria-Biafra civil (1967 - 1970) which led to death of over 3million Biafrans due to famine, displacement and killings in a categorical genocide supervised by international communities. Eziaja village authorities deemed it necessary to honour fallen heroes and heroine of Eziaja extraction. The Eziaja day event which started earlier 1972 after Nigerian-Biafra Civil, although became more official in 1975. However, late Mr. Job Ugochukwu chaired the first Eziaja Day in 1975. Job Ugochukwu alongside his team organised the festival which attracted the entire Neni community and its environs even till date.
The annual event usually feature display of masquerades, cultural dance troupe, entertainment, and the likes. Also, it is an arena where family and friends share love and happiness. Furthermore, couple of years later, to minimize financial burden on the mother village union, age grades contributes and share the burden of financial implications.
Ranking by Population:
Eziaja Village: This village is regarded as the most populous in Neni because of annexation of Amakwa Kindred which is the largest kindred in Neni.
Ranking by Geographical Landmass:
Eziaja village ranked second in landmass following Umudioka village.
Ranking by Number of Influential Individual:
The Village ranked first based production of influential and famous people.
Ranking based on wealth distribution:
According to responses elicited from questionaires on recent research, Umudioka is now ranked first in wealth distribution followed by Eziaja village.
Village Seniority:
Eziaja ranked 5th after Okofia, Etitinabo, Nyekem descendents later annexed to Umueze and Nyeke Descendants in Ezineni.
Administrative section:
Eziaja falls under Mkpunano section in Neni
Infrastructures:
- Cairo Suite Hotel, Eziaja
- Special Primary School, Eziaja
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Extension, Eziaja
- St Michaels Catholic Church, Eziaja
- St Thomas Anglican Church, Amakwa
- High Court (temporal), at Eziaja hall, Neni
Shrines/Deities/Arusi:
- Akpu Eziaja
- Udo Eziaja
- Eke Okpo, Amakwa
- Ugbaja
- Ididenka
Markets in Eziaja:
- Afor Akpu Eziaja, Neni
- Nwafor or Afor Market in Eziaja Village (defunct) [Today built Cairo Suite Hotel "citation needed"].
- Eke Okpo in Eziaja Village (defunct) [Today built the Village Hall].
Festivals in Eziaja village, Neni:
• New yam festival which usually takes place after ifejioku festival by Umueze village every August
• Eziaja day celebration which usually takes place every 26th of December
One of sons documented achievements, there are many undocumented ones:
- Display of strength in unity, former Anambra State military Governor, Col Nnaemeka Akonobi who hails from Eziaja village in Neni during his government stopped Adazi Nnukwu, Adazi Ani, and Oraukwu from imperialistic wars in attempt to annex part of Umuohi village territory.
- The first man who built upstairs in Neni was Chief Okpala Onona Igbo Ekwu In Umudioka Village Neni, second person who built an upstair in Neni was Chief Eyisi Akabueze in Eziaja Village.
- The first Richest Man in Neni before Ekwenibe & others was Chief Onwedo Ezemenahu (Ozo title holder) Ezeani Ibunidiego in Umuezuzo Family in Eziaja Village.
Influential People
- Michael Okpala (Power Mike) [Amakwa-Eziaja Village, Professional Wrestler]
- Dr PC Evaristus Udorah [Eziaja Village], Neni
- Prof Ibemesi John [Amakwa-Eziaja Village, Emeritus Professor]
- Felix Anene Ayinotu (A.k.a Toloman Int'l) [Eziaja Village], Nenu
- Mathias Obianika [Footballer, Eziaja Village]
- Anthony Ezuizo [Amakwa-Eziaja, Village, Entrepreneur] First richest man from Amakwa kindred, Eziaja, Neni
- Chinwuba Akonobi [Military, Navy], Eziaja village Neni
- Chief Akonobi Robert [Eziaja Village, Rtd Soldier]
- Michael Nchekwube Obinna Obi [a.k.a John Mikel Obi, Footballer], Obiekezie family, Eziaja village, Neni
- Fidelis Kene Chiekezie (Professional Wrestling Promoter who restored the lost glory of Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF), Amakwa Eziaja village, Neni
Prime Minister (Onowu)
Prime Minister of Neni hailed from Eziaja village, Neni as at 2026 in the person of Chief Amaechi Maduemem (Egbe Eji Eje Ogwu). He was conferred Onowu title 2 years after the death of the former late Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme (Tonimas) who died 9th June, 2020.
This research was compiled by Fidelis Kene Chiekezie a Wikipedia editor, historian, promoter, blogger and writer, drawing from cited historical and cultural works. For enquiries: [email protected]
