Ogwashi-Ukwu: A Home for All Nigerians: Political & Social History

Ikelike migrants escaped from Bini (Benin) as a result of the actions of oppressive Bini monarchs. The migrants wandered eastwards and later found a virgin, fertile tableland. They settled there and called the place Ogwaehe (Ogwashi-Ukwu) in 1230. With time more migrants from various parts of Nigeria relocated to Ogwaehe which they called "a benevolent community." An Nri Prince called Adaigbo, who committed a criminal offence in his town East of River Niger, fled secretly at night from Nri and become a refugee at Ogwaehe in 1350. Queen Odu the Great, who was originally from the ruling dynasty in Ife in Yorubaland in Western Nigeria was crowned as the first monarch in Ogwaehe in 1360. It was during her reign that the name of the community was changed from Ogwaehe to Ogwashi-Ukwu. From that period till now Ogwashi-Ukwu has remained "a home for all Nigerians." Equally featured in this compendium are various aspects of Ogwashi-Ukwu culture, Ogwashi-Ukwu in the matrix of Nigeria Geo-Politics, and Ogwashi-Ukwu indigenes in the diaspora. Profiles of some Ogwashi-Ukwu icons are comprehensively featured.