The beauty of names particularly in the Igboland is that the names given do have meaning. One is therefore careful of the names one gives to ones’ child and tries to give a child a meaning name so that the blessings associated with the name will follow the child. This also applies to a name given to a community as a meaningful name given to it often accrues a lot of blessing and progress. To the Amaigbo natives, no other name could have been preferred or treasured given the meaning of the name Amaigbo. Amaigbo simply means the land of the Igbo’s, - ama ndi Igbo. One would therefore not be mistaken to say that the history or genealogy of the Igbo’s sprang from Amaigbo.
Amaigbo is located in the south eastern region in Nigeria. It is under Nwangele local government. There are thirty seven villages in Amaigbo; each village is idiosyncratic in its cultural dance, marital rites and other ethics that they adhere to.
Amaigbo shares boundary with others such as Amandugba, Isu Njaba, Umózu Isu, Agbaje, Amuzari, Owerre Nkwórji, Eziama Obiaire and Nkwerre.
The natives main occupation in the past were largely farming as well as producing and selling palm produce. They also used to produce and sell cash crops such as cassava, garri, maize, yam, cocoyam, tree leaf yam, fresh pepper, garden egg (añara) and breadfruit in large quantities, however today the natives have diversified into other activities. They are actively engaged in academic pursuits as well as business venture which range from small scale retailing to large entrepreneurship.
It would be interesting to not that the community has also raised many professionals who are actively involved in major spectrums both in the country and abroad. Some of these are notably involved in politics, religion, education, business ventures, international footballers, and many others. Their careers and professional developments have culminated in boosting and elevating the community.
Amaigbo is a vast land endowed with natural resources; it can boast of fertile land to farm. The natives produce cash crops for their personal consumption as well as sell some of these crops at the local market. They can also boast of many rivers. These rivers are luckily located in strategic positions and help to serve the needs of the community as well as those of its neighbouring environs.
Being a large community, the natives are peculiar in how they prepare their exotic and exquisite dishes; however, the people of Amaigbo have food they commonly eat. Though there are a variety of menu which are prepared and served in Amaigbo however, the main traditional menu is fufu (cassava flour) served with Achi Soup. Achi soup can be prepared with vegetables such as Ugu, Ugboguru, or Uha. Some vegetables such as Ugu are available all year whereas others such as uha are seasonal products. Other soup such as Okra, Ukpo, Egwusi, Ogbono and Ede (cocoyam) is served in Amaigbo. Soups are usually served with fufu, yam flour or garri.
Other food eaten in Amaigbo includes Rice (osikapa): this can prepared as jollof rice or boiled and served with stew; Beans (akidi); Yam (ji) serve boiled, roasted or fried; Cocoyam (ede); Tree leaf yam (Una); Breadfruit (ukwa); Plaintain (okinima) serve fried, roasted or cooked and Maize. The above mentioned foods are mainly served in Amaigbo today.
There are also a range of snacks which is served in Amaigbo; these snacks range from akara to moi-moi, groundnut, palm kernel, coconut, plantain chips, akpu ebere ebe or akpu agworo agwo and agidi etc
It would be interesting to note that to be able to prepare some of these dishes, one needs to have good cooking skills and thorough training. Needless to say that the natives particularly the women are adroit and heavenly endowed with the skills of preparing those dishes.
The joy in every family is to have someone who would make them proud. It is also a greater joy when the person can be of immense help when any need arise. This attribute can equally be likened to that of a community as it is the joy of a community to have people with remarkable qualities to help when the need arise. The help rendered often help to shape the lives of the persons and fosters development in a family, community as well as that of a country.
It is interesting to note that Amaigbo has indeed raised such notable people whose personal achievements have not only fostered the image of the community, but also, some of these individuals have made great contributions to the community. These natives have achieved grandiose and grotesque work that is worthy of emulation; they have indeed contributed to elevating and promoting the image of Amaigbo. Some of these persons are Mr Theo Mbakwe, who is renowned for his autochthonous Paint industry; others include Mr Simeon Ihekweazu, who was an honourable member at the house of Representative during Shagari regime, Mr Walter Ofornagoro the former Minister for Information during late Abacha's regime, Mr Romanus Dike who donated numerous sports equipment to the community's two secondary schools in the 80's, Dr CC Osuala whose tenure at the house of Representative between 1999 - 2003 birth a national health centre at Umukabia village, Stella Abiakam, whose extensive spirited act and numerous donations have instilled others to emulate, Romanus Iwuozor, Sunday Mbagwu, etc these and many others are noted for their largesse. They have awarded numerous scholarships to people from less privileged homes to further their education and have also facilitated the implementation of vital projects and resources like higher institutions, pipe borne waters, and constant electricity supply just to mention a few.
Amongst these are also some of the community's progenitors who also contributed extensively in elevating Amaigbo. Some of them are the late Iwobi. The said man was a great musician who had strong predilection for using proverbial and metaphoric in his songs. Others are Jaja of Opobo who was sold as a slave at the age of twelve; the late Ofonagoro (Ghandi) whose extensive help and persistence birth St Mary's hospital; Mr and Mrs Cyril Duru, Mr Duru was the leader of GNPP, his wife saw to the installation of pipe-borne water in Amaigbo; Mr Ignatius Anyiam who fought ferociously for Nwangele Local Government. It was said that the late Mr Anyiam erected Nwangele local government building; a demonstration of his commitment and determination to see the said local government headquarter is housed in Amaigbo; Mr Richard Ihetu - 'Dick Tiger', the late boxer who made great impact in Amaigbo and beyond.
Individuals, businesses and organisations have skills which they are good at. They also have skills which need areas for development. A failure to address those weak areas often pose a threat to the individual, business or organisation.
At times individuals, businesses or organisations do have the 'wherewithal' to tackle her weak areas, but is constrained by environmental factors beyond their control. Though as the case may be, however, failing to address and tackle those issues could have disastrous consequence on the individual, businesses or organisations. These environmental ‘pestal’ factors can equally be likened to Amaigbo. The community has great talent and aspiration to effect changes but is often constrained by environmental, political and economic factors. Nevertheless, it has strived in some cases to better the lives of its natives. It is envisaged that it will not relent in fostering the needs of its people.
Amaigbo indigenes have great predilection and affinity for education; the natives value the importance of education such that a household strives to train at least one or two persons up to university level irrespective of the economic hardship prevalent in the country. In an effort to ensure that the natives are not encumbered in her pursuit of academic prowess, the people of Amaigbo have taken pro-active measures to curtail the encumbrance of its indigenes studying outside of its environs. So far the community has established two tertiary institutions in Amaigbo, namely the Amaigbo School of Nursing which is affiliated with St Mary's Joint Hospital and Amaigbo Health Technology. It also has ten primary schools and two secondary schools. The secondary schools, King Jaja High School and Dick Tiger Memorial secondary school were respectively named after King Jaja of Opobo and the late boxer, Dick Tiger.
The education system is revolutionising at a greater pace. The advance in Information technology has greatly affected ways of learning. The use of computer applications and Internet resources has enhanced learning to a larger extent. There is the need for the community to involve its natives in this learning process in order to enhance her academic prowess.
An awareness of political issues keeps one abreast of political changes in the society. An advantage of partaking in political matters has its advantage: It not only keeps one constantly aware of political changes, it equally helps one to pre-empt the changes which are likely to occur and take pro-active step(s) to ensure that one is not off ones guard. The same equally goes to a community, as a constant awareness of political changes can effect the right decisions being made to safeguard the interest of the community and its environs.
It can be said that the natives are endeavouring in taking proactive steps to foster development for its people; some of which is evident in the efforts being made to ensure that resources and facilities requisite for their well being are in place. It is expected that more of these facilities will be primed so that they are within the reach of every Amaigbo natives. It is also anticipated that progress will be made to address 'pressing' issues affecting the community.
The economic imbalance prevalent in our society today is ominous. Whilst some people experience an upsurge in their standard of living, others sadly, have difficulty in meeting up to their aggrandisements. Regrettably, stagnation and regression have become the order of the day for some families. Somehow, the local community can benefit from some of the establishments in its environs. Income can be generated through house rental, erecting or mounting mini market stalls and supermarkets, the use of private cars and motor bike for transport and perhaps the installation of telephone lines can also generate income.
Other ways that the natives can generate income is through Tourism in Amaigbo. It is certain that visitors would like to visit the birth place of the late of Jaja of Opobo and that of late Dick Tiger. Other places which would attract visitors to Amaigbo include the home of the late musician Mr Iwobi. Other places of interest in Amaigbo would include the home of Mr Walter Ofonagoro. It would be interesting to note that the said Mr Walter Ofonagoro is the brain behind home movie industry in Nigeria. His tenure at NTA elicited Nigeria dramas, which culminated in Nigeria movies. It is anticipated that visitors, particularly those fascinated with Nigerian movies would be enthral to visit his birth place.
The community would certainly be inundated with visitors from far and wide if these factors are closely considered. This will in turn generate income for the natives in numerous ways e.g. the selling of memorabilia.
Inevitably, this will require some form of formal training so owners are adept at what they do, can maximise their potentials and possibly evolve into other areas. These will increase the natives’ skills, create job opportunities, eradicate ignorance as well as promote a well balanced and healthy community.
The impediments to these coming to fruition could perhaps be lack of initial capital to foster the investment, lack of good roads especially during the rainy season which may affect travelling and lack of fuels. However, if the natives are able to address this issues, tourism will not only better and advance the well being of the community, it will also place Amaigbo ‘on the map’ as one of the thriving and endearing community in Nigeria and the world at large.
The natives have a range of activities which enables it to socially interact with each other. Some of these are the cultural dances, festivals as well as the village and community meetings. These and many others help to foster unity, harmony and team spirit amongst them. Some of these also provide a forum to discuss issues affecting the community. To this day, the community has built a hall -‘The Obi Igwe’ to enable it hold discussions in a friendly ambience.
Though the many social and cultural activities: intra dancing competitions, football matches and festivals, which, takes place during festive seasons stem to bring fraternity and affability, it is hoped that the establishment of recreational and leisure facilities such as leisure centre and museum would benefit the natives in the foreseeable future. Leisure centre could provide other progressive means of socialisation. The establishment of a museum in Amaigbo will educate the natives on the epistemology of Amaigbo, and its traditions. It will also include thematic eulogy of the community illustrious natives’.
Technology and its development is a major environmental influence upon a community or a nation. Not only does it affect peoples’ modus operandi, it also affects their life style and consumption pattern. Technology plays a major role in advancing the progress and success of a community, state and nation. Its importance cannot be misconstrued in Amaigbo
Due to technological advancement, it is now possible to communicate with loved ones through the services of the Amaigbo Postal Agency located at Umuanya village.
Also, the installation of telephone lines in the community shows that the community has facilitated the ease at which families can communicate with their loved ones at home and abroad. The natives are indeed benefiting from this fast and unswerving method of reaching friends and relatives at large.
Another benefit of technological development is that the natives can now boast of a cleaner water consumption. The installation of pipe-borne water in the community has procured cleaner water for the community and its environs. This has greatly reduced its over reliance and dependence on its rivers which are not necessarily good for human consumption especially drinking.
The natives are also benefiting from technological development through the newly established public transport corporation situated at Ofeahia village. This service has elicited the ease at which the natives commute within and around the community. The transport stationed at Ofeahia village has reduced the encumbrance for people who would normally have to travel long distance after alighting at Umuanya village. The new transport station has indeed made journeys a lot bearable for the natives.
As the rate of technological change is accelerating, Amaigbo anticipates to fully partake in technological advancement, to enable it fully make use of technology. This would by God's grace include building factories to provide employment for its indigenes, communicating to friends and loved ones through electronic mails as well as incorporating Information, Communication and Technology as part of its curriculum into its primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
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