Udi Town | Enugu State | Diaspora | USA
Udi Town
By Omenka Ejike Eze, Ph.D.
Boston, MA
omenka1@yahoo.com
Udi is said to be the eldest of the eight sons of Neeke. Udi and his other seven siblings make up what is today referred to as the Umuneeke Clan in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The other children of Neeke are: Abia, Umuabi, Obinagu, Amokwe, Agbudu, Umuaga and Naachi. These towns are also part of the Agbaja community.
In his article "Udi: Land of Tomorrow, M. O. Ene writes: "Agbaja comprised of peoples between the wooded lands of Awka (capital of Anambra State) to the rocky valleys of Enugu (capital of Enugu State). Agbaja is made up of communities in present-day Udi, Ezeagu, Igbo-Etiti, Oji River, greater Awgu, and Enugu East Local Government Areas. However, the influence of Agbaja has extended to lands beyond." With its breathtaking landscape, excellent weather and hospitable citizens, it was not a surprise that Udi became the first love of the colonial administrators of the then Eastern Region. The administrators chose the town as the administrative headquarters of the Eastern Region. Army, prisons and police headquarters were built in Udi long before coal was discovered in grass lands near Enugu Ngwo.
It was the discovery of coal deposits in 1909 that forced the colonial administrators of the Eastern Region to start a speedy development of Enugu and the eventual relocation of the administrative capital from Udi to Enugu. Udi Town remains today the headquarters of the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The administrative headquarters is located less than a mile from the famous Orie Agu market. Other government facilities in the area include an office of the Nigerian Post Office, the Nigerian Telecommunication Office, and a general hospital. Udi is made up of five villages namely Umuezechime, Ekeneene, Amaagu, Okuniino and Umuoka. It is said that Umuezechime is the eldest of the sons of Udi and that Umuoka is the youngest.
Udi Town is known for several things, most notably the original palm wine and okpa. The famous Orie Agu market is without a doubt the one place to find the tastiest and best unadulterated palm wine in the world. In addition to palm wine and other agricultural products, Udi Town is also blessed with notable personalities, people who distinguished themselves in various areas.
The first traditional ruler of Udi was HRH, the late Igwe Elias Aneke Chime, the Okwuluoha I of Udi. Following the passing of Igwe Aneke Chime, the people of Udi chose Igwe Godwin O. Ene as the Okwuluoha II of Udi. In addition to traditional leadership, Udi Town has a governing organization called the Udi Progressive Union as well as a number of other organizations in the Diaspora, including the Udi Town USA.
References
Chris Ejikeme Ogakwu (2000) Seniority Controversy Over Udi and Abia Towns
M. O. Ene (2003) "Udi: A Land of Tomorrow"