UMUOFOR

Umuofor
is a small village of less than a thousand people located in the border of Oguta and Mbaitoli local
government of Imo State Nigeria , West Africa . Address - Umuofor - Akabor Oguta local government, Imo
State - Nigeria. Umuofor is made up of three villages - UMUDURUAJUWUNNA, UMUDIBIE and . The
indigenous Umuofor people are said to have migrated from Awomama & ISU Njiaba in ORU L.G.A of Imo
State , said to have first settled at Ameabiam and finally settled at the present day Umuofor . Some of the
early settlers include Ezeoru Ubawuchi , Nnadirinwa , Emetumah , Anyaibe Nzediegwu , Nwawubem ,
Ndimememe , Nnawuaku , Nwabuihe , Agbakegbe , Osimiri , Nwarime, Nnadi , Amaogaranya , Diogu ,
Aboh , Osoagba , Ezeribe , Idu,Iroka and many more . There has been an unresolved land dispute
between the Umuofor and Akabor people. In the 60s, chief C.A Ubawuchi and Emmanuel Nwawubem
gave their money to salvage Umuoforland . They were assumed the owners of the land until the Umuofor
people redeemed their land in the late 70s.

CULTURE
The Umuofor people have an annual local ceremony called THE OWU FESTIVAL that takes place once a
year, it is a male dominated and initiated ceremony. Women are not allowed to participate. There are
masquerades called OKOROSHA . However some religionists oppose this culture calling it demonic, one
of the greatest opponents of this was Mr James Nwosu , the first pastor of Umuofor , (THE FATHER OF
REVIVAL) . Mrs Janeth Ubawuchi also refused to partake and also refused to recognise the Ekenjiaba
(pyton snake god) . In the early days, these snakes used to roam around peoples' compounds and were
welcome by the people. Umuofor had two ritual bushes - NJABA and OTANGBO . It was said that Mr
Benneth Nwabuche on another man's instruction cleared that land. That is where the Umuofor market is
situated today.

RELIGION
Umofor people are very religious. The first church in Umuofor is the Anglican church and some of the
pioneer members of this church include Mr Andrew Osoagba , Mark Osimiri , Clement Ubawuchi ,
Silvanus Emetumah(later Alhaji Gafaru Emetumah) , Boniface Amaogaranya , Benson Nnadi,Emmanuel
Uba and others . James Nwosu also pioneered the Apostolic church while Mr Oguerilem and the brother
brought the Cherubim& Seraphim church. Umuofor has also produced MEN OF CLOTH (CLERGIES).
Pastor Iyke Peter Ubawuchi is the founder and senior pastor of JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL
CHURCH, SOUTH AFRICA and president of GRACE WORLD OUTREACH, a global ministry that affect
millions of lives. He is also the director / coordinator of the MILLION MAN MARCH FOR JESUS,
Reverend Eugene and Eze Onwubie are canons in the Anglican Church.

ISLAM
Alhaji Abdul Gafaru Emetumah was the pioneer of Islam in Umuofor. He was also the traditional ruler of
Akabor community.

UMUOFOR PATRIARCHS
Ubawuchi Ezeoru had four sons, Iwunamara , Clement , Anyanasuro , Sunday and Eric . Ubawuchi lived
to be over a hundred years old and passed away in 1975.

CHIEF CLEMENT A. UBAWUCHI [the light of Ofor land]

Chief Clement is the second son of Ubawuchi . He worked for over 32 years as an administrative
manager in NEPA , during which time he used his influence to employ some people in NEPA including Mr
Eddy Anyaibe and Emmanuel Nwosu . He is a phillantropist even during his pension days, people still
came to him for financial assistance where he gladly obliged them. Chief Ubawuchi at this time of writing
“2010” is about 85 years old and still counting. He built the first upstairs in Umuofor (in the 70s) . His
children are Mr Goddy , Dr Emeka , Mr Uzoamaka , Ps Iyke& Engr chudi and two girls .

EZE (ALHAJI ABDUL GAFARU EMETUMAH)

Is the second son of Emetumah . He was the first Igbo muslim evangelist and pioneered Islam in
Umuofor. He was also the Eze (traditional ruler ) of Akabor autonomous community . He was an
influential man in his own right. He lived to be over seventy years and passed away in 2007. Eze
Emutumah married three wives and was survived by Alhaji Fatai , Sani , Bashiru , Amin, Chigiozke and
others .

ANDREW OSOAGBA
Mr Andrew Osoagba was one of the pioneers of the Anglican church in Umuofor and was the pastors'
warden until his death . He loved working in the church. Married to Rosana and survived by Mr Nathaniel,
Gabriel and Uche Osoagba (who is a knight in the Anglican Church?)

ALHAJI SANNI[ ANTHONY] ANYAIBE

Alhaji Sanni formerly known as Anthony was one of the pioneers of the Umuofor Anglican church. He
retired as a manager at the plateau Construction Company. He also used his position to employ some of
Umuofor citizens. He loved hunting. He married three wives and was survived by Mr Amos , Elias , David
and others . He lived to be over 70 years and passed away in 2006.

MR BENSON NNADI
Mr Benson Nnadi was one of the pioneers of Umuofor Anglican church; he was a teacher by profession.
He was married to Ceceila , and survived by Benedict , Benjamin , Bethram , IK and others . He lived to
be over 70 , passed away in 2006

MR EMMANUEL NWAWUBEM
He was the first successful business man in Umuofor plying his trade in Kano State Nigeria . He had
houses in Kano , Enugu and Portharcourt . He was married to Sussana and survived by Samuel and
others. He passed away in 1970.

MR BONIFACE AMAOGARANYA
He was one of the pioneers of the Anglican church in Umuofor and a very vocal person and Umuofor
representative during the early days of the land dispute . He was married to Angelina and survived by
Kingsley , AChinike and others . Passed away in 1969 .

EMMANUEL UKACHUKWU is the first son of Mr Ukachukuru who lived in the Cameroon and worked
probably as a butcher there . He had another son Joe who was a business man in Cameroon until his
untimely death .

VINCENT AKPUCHUKWU was the first barber in Umuofor , he lived to be almost 75 years and passed
away in 2008 , survived by his son Chilem whose mother died shortly after he was born .

BONIFACE , EBENEZAR and DAVIDSON were sons of AMAOGARANYA - Boniface passed away
during the war , Davidson who was a teacher in ISU passed away in the late 70s , he was married to the
late Matilda and survived by their son Kennedy who lives in LAGOS . Boniface was also survived by
Kingsley who lives in the United States , Achinike and Abednego who lives in Nigeria . Adeline and
Stella(Sinte) are their sisters , their mother's name is Angelina , married from OgbaKu .

EMMANUEL and BENJAMIN are the sons of NWAWUBEM . Both of them died in their midages .
Emmanuel a successful businessman who owned properties in different parts in Nigeria was survived by
Samuel who lives in Portharcount . He also had daughters , Christiana , Grace , Florence , Ngozi and
Ndidi . Ngozi lives with her family in MANCHESTER , ENGLAND . Oluchi passed away . There is also the
twins Okechukuru and Kelechi (who are soccer players in MALAYSIA ) . NONSO and NENE who live in
Portharcourt.

Clement Nlewedim is the first son of Mr Nlewedim (known during his primary school as Gramarian ) , he
also had other brothers including Nelson .
Adizuo , Alhaji Sanni (Anthony ) , Alhaji Adamu (Samuel ) and Edward (their half brother ) are all sons of
ANYAIBE . Adizuo is probably the oldest man still living in Umuofor at this time of writting . His first son
Shedrack Anyaibe lives with his family in Italy . Shedrack Anyaibe is probably the first man in Umuofor to
travel overseas (around the early 70s ) . His younger brother Josiah is a builder and resides in Umuofor .
ALHAJI SANNI was survived by Mr Amos , Elias (R.O ) Anyaibe . Amos is a builder . Elias lives some
where in the Northern Nigeria . ALHAJI ADAMU (SAMUEL ) is the younger brother of Sanni , his first Mr
Son - Saliu , ISA (Innocent ) and the first surviving twins in Umuofor . Hansan and Husseni . Hassan lives
in ALGERIA.

NNANEMERE , FELIX , EDWARD and EPHRAIM and SOLOMON are all sons of NZEDIEGWU .
Nnanemere is a palm wine dealer and a farmer . He is also an initiate of the revered NZE/OZO . His first
son is IFEANYI , followed by IKE who is said to be pastoring a church in ITALY . Edward Nzediegwu lived
in Cameroon .

OKACHANMA & OKEMEZIEM AZARAMA are the sons of AZARAMA . These two had feuds that lasted
their life time and even affected their children . Okachanma was survived by LAWRENCE , PHILLIP ,
STEPHEN , NNAA , and NDADI . While Okemezien was survived by SAMUEL (who disappeared
mysteriously , last seen at ONITSHA ) and Adolphus who is working at shell Izombe . Okachanma was
married to Nwogoma from EZIAMA while Okemeziem was married to FANI from EJEMEKWURU . Mr X
was a half brother of Okachanma , AZARAMA , he committed the first suicide in Umuofor history .
Survived by GABRIEL who is a carpenter .
BATHRAM and OZO (DANIEL ) are the sons of ANOO . Bathram is a civil servant through the
government compensation of the war veteran as he was injured during the NIGERIA - BIAFRA CIVIL
WAR ( 1967 - 1970) , while OZO is the Umuofor town crier . OZO was also a member of the then popular
local music group (BONGO ) in the late sixties and early seventies . The other group members of Bongo
were Mr Vincent Anyaibe(drummer) , Solomon Nzediegwu , Isaac Uba(Jantamanta) , Phillip
Okachanma,life ( if you know any other members please send the names to.. umuofor initiative..........). .

PAUL (EBIOGWU) EZERIBE , SIMEON and THEOPHILUS are the sons of EZERIBE from UMUDIBIE
UMUOFOR . Paul was the head of the OWU festival before he gave it up , Simoen was a very religious
man of the Apostolic church , while Theophilus was a spiritual healer . Paul was survived by ABASCO ,
THEOPHILUS and SIMEON also had sons of their own.

CHIEF MARK OSIMIRI- Was one of the foundation members of Christ Church Umuofor and was very
involved in Umuofor land disputes, he was a builder by proffession and lived in Lagos, his children include
Felix, who lives with his wife Dr Philomena and their children who include Brian , Stephanie,Derrick and
others, Mark's other children inlude Jonathan [ a buisnessman in Aba NIGERIA], Shedrack(obioma), who
lives in the USA, lEVI (CARRIBEANS) Mr Felix is very involved in assisting umuofor indegenes

ONYEDIKA purpotedly died after he took Ubawuchi's male goat and was eating it alone and was killed by
too much fat .
Mr Nnadiegbulam was a quiet man who went about his own business , one of his sons is a pastor
JUSTUS (ALOO) and AKOLAM are sons of.....................................Their mother's name was NWARIEM.
Akolam passed away in the early nineties .

JOSEPH ORUMEZIEM was a fish merchant and was the only man that accompanied THE AGWU -
during the OWUOMA that took place once in seven years . He was survived by PETER who also passed
away and other sons .

UBAWUCHI EZEORU was probably the oldest living man in his time , said to have lived above a hundred
years . His children include STEPHEN (IWUNAMARA) , CLEMENT ANYANASORO , SUNDAY and
ERIC who died during the NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR . Eric went to the war with Cyril Thedoro , Lawrence
Okachanma , according to Mr Lawrence , Eric was warned to stay behind by Ubwuchi when they went to
be prayed for by him before embarking on the journey . Ubawuchi had other daughters - Adanma ,
Ihejiaba (who passed away in may 2009) , Nnenia . Stephen died in 1984 , probably through tetanus . He
was survived by Gozie , Uzoma and Amaechi . His daughters include Adania , Sussana , Edna , Oby .
Clement ANYANASORO Ubawuchi married Janeth Ubawuchi and together they had seven children .
Gordy , Christopher (Emeka) . who lives in England, Uzoamaka(Brown) Ngozi , Mary , Peter (Iyke) who
lives in RSA and Paul (Chudi) . Gordy Ubawuchi lives in the USA and his children include Sinclair (I.K)
.Rudolph (Emeka) , an American Marine currently at IRAQ , A.J , and the girls - Thelma(Oby) , Yvonne ,
Kim(Chidinma) and Nikki . Emeka Ubawuchi - is the first medical doctor in Umuofor , presently lives in
Manchester , England with his family . Married to Mrs Comfort (Practising nursing in England) . Their
children are Okwara , Osonwa, Uchenna and Grace, Uzoamaka , Brown Ubawuchi lives in oerri with his
family , married to Kelechi , together they have two boys - Wisdom and the brother

PASTOR IYKE PETER UBAWUCHI - holds a BSC degree in political science / public administration , BA
in theology , MA in divinity. A theological research student presently in world harvest theological college,
prime rose Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the founder / senior pastor of JOHANNESBURG
INTERNATIONAL CHURCH, SOUTH AFRICA . He is also the president of GRACE WORLD OUTREACH
, the director of "THE MILLION MAN MARCH FOR JESUS". His life changing words on television is
watched by millions of people the world over . He is probably one of the most recognizable faces from
the eastern part of Nigeria . He is the author of the best selling book "WHY WE FAIL" , his soon to be
released books include "THE TECHNIQUES OF PRAYER" , "DYING BY LIVING" , "WE ARE GODS" ,
"WISDOM FROM THE ANTS" and his daily devotional "RHEMA" , "YOUR MOUTH AND YOUR
FUTURE" . He is a highly sought after international conference speaker . He is married to Onyii, Grace
Ubawuchi , who also holds a degree in education and theology . She is a cofounder of the ministry and
president of "SISTERS OF GRACE" . Their children include Brian (Uche), Fortune (I.K) and Clinton
(Chiedozie) all living in Johannesburg , South Africa

Basil Abanukam - is a bricklayer by profession , He lived in LAGOS for a while . Lost his wife at an early
stage , also has lost his daughter called Dorothy , he is a member of the Anglican church (Christ church
Umuofor) JOHN NWARIME - was the first son of Mr Nwarime Osmiri , he was a very vocal man . He died
in the late eighties , survived by his first son Gabriel Nwarime who lives in...

CHRISTOPHER NWARIME- was in the teaching profession for many years . He was very involved in the
Anglican church and Umuofor politics , always acted as the master of ceremonies in occassions . Retired
and engaged in petty trade in Umuofor . He has two sons IK Nwarime who lives in Germany and
Nnaemeka who is a teacher and a businessman in Umuofor . ETHEL ABOH - he is probably the eldest
man in Unuwuegbe Umuofor at this time of writting . He is a carpenter by profession , his wife is from
Akabor and he has about two boys . The first one is Chukwuemeka Aboh . OBIDIAGHA CHIONYE - he
lived to be over 80 years old , died in the 80s , survived by his first son Mr Nathan Chionye and second
son Godson(Pickin)Chionye . The third son Clifford died in his youth probably in the 70s . ALHAJI
AHMED (HILLARY) EMETUMAH - is the first son of Emetumah's first son (Abubaka r). He has two
younger brothers Rahaman(Akawo) and Suleiman. .HUMPHREY DIOGU was a very spiritual man who
was working in LAGOS before his mysterious death , his body was recovered from the waters . He was
survived by his son and daughter .
BERNARD DIOGU is probably the tallest man on Umuofor (maybe 7 feet tall) . He is a very godly man ,
he had twin girls . He is an elder in the A postilic church Umuofor . AUGUSTINE DIOGU - was a very
funny man , lived to be above seventy . He was survived by Chijoke(Godson)Diogu and Chikodi who both
live in Portharcourt . JOSHUA NWANEBU - is an elder in Umudurunajurunna , he is married to Mrs
Mercy Nwanebu and they have about three boys , the first is Johnson Nwanebu who is in the hospitality
business in Umuofor . SYLVESTER NWANEBU - is Joshua;s younger brother , he passed away in the
mid eighties , survived by some boys . The first son is a businessman in ONITSHA . JONH ECHESIRIM -
is a mason by profession , he lost his wife from Umunoha during the land riff between Umuofor and
Umuagha Eziama - Obiato . He also tragically lost his first daughter in a road accident in 2004 , he has
two young brothers - Mr Life and late Nnamdi .
Mr IHEDORO(DODO) - was one of the elders in Umudurujurunna , lived to be above to 80 years ,
survived by Mr CYRIL IHEDORO , JOEL , JONAH and IKENNA IHEDORO . Mr IKO NDIMAEMENI
Nnawuaku - was a tall man , younger brother to the late Mr Nwosu Nnawuaku , they had a sister called
Akigbo (Ceicila) . He was survived by Lawrence Udunna , Jeremiah , Achumafu, Ezebunwa , he had two
daughters from the first marriage , Adaowu and Anyakamkpele married in Eziama Obiato and Awomama
respctively . Nkpele experienced a tragedy in 1981 , when she lost her husband Mr Agu and her three
daughters - SCHOLAR , FLORENCE , ANTONIA and a son in the tragic shipwreck in the Cameroon high
seas . Lawrence Udunna who was on board survived the wreck after swimming for almost 2 days . MR
NWOSU - he was an elder in Umuduruajuruna , he lived to be over 80 years , married to Mrs Baabo and
survived by James , Stephen (Alexander) , Daniel , Gordy and Emmanuel Nwosu . James Nwosu is the
first pastor in Umuofor , the founding father of the APOSTILIC CHURCH Umuofor . He was totally against
the local OWU festival , his only son Pastor James Chidiebere Nwosu is the pastor of the Aposticlic
church . Umuahia . MR Nwabuihe - was one of the elders of Umudurujuruna , brother to Mr Agbakagbe
and Uzobuo . He was survived by Alhaji Rasaki Nwabuihe , Benneth Nwabuihe . Alhaji Rasak also has
three sons - Benedict, Oliver and Tijani who also have their own children . Mr Benneth purpotedly died
accidentally when he hit his head on the floor , he is survived by Chima (a businessman in Onitsha) and
others . NWOKORO AGBAKAEPBE is a bicycle repairer , married from Ejemekwuru , he has some boys
, one of whom is Charlie who is a businessman in Cameroon . MR OKACHANMA - he was one of the
elders of Umuduajurunna , he was a farmer of yams , he is married to Nwogoma from Eziama , survived
by Lawrence , Phillip , Stephen , Nnaa and Ndadi . All these have their own children . Lawrence's first
son is Chukwudi . Mr Lawrence lost his wife and son mysteriously within one month . JONATHAN
ADIWU is a builder by profession , married to Janeth and they have children . BATHRAM IROKA was a
businessman in Cameroon , marreid to Rose , their daughter Oluchi Iroka is presently studying in England
. Bathram fell sick in Cameroon and died on his way back to Nigeria . He was very close to Morrison
Nwawugo. NNAWUGO was an elder in Umuwuegbe , he was survived by Ofozuonu , Innocent, Ofozuonu
was survived by Kingsley and his brother whose sisters were Ogadinma[ married to Wahab oliver] and
late Bobo. Innocent also died and survived by Chief and Chigozie . Victor is also Nnawugo's son , also
has a son and another daughter (Ifeoma) , he lost his wife .
NWAGWUISI IBEANUSI - was an elder in Umuwuegbe , survived by Azike , Isaac(Amasuma) and
Mbone . MR EMMANUEL UBA - was one of the elders of Umuwuegbe , married to Evyline and survived
by Isaac and Sampson Uba . He was involved in the Anglican church until his death . Isaac and his wife
also died . AKUWULOBA AMAOGARANYA - was on of the elders of Umudurujurunna , he had Boniface
, Davidson and Ebenezar . Both Boniface and Davidson passed away , Boniface was survived by
Kingsley Amaogaranya who lives in the USA where he moved from germany . Mr Boniface was a
carpenter who passed away during the Nigeria - Biafra Civil War , also Achinike and Abednego . JOHN
IDU - was an elder in Umuofor , a peacefull man , he became blind . He was one of the leaders of the
OWU festival, he has a son . MR EDWIN DURUEKE - was the head of the OWU festival until he gave it
up , he has some sons , one of which is Chidi .
JOSEPH ONWUBIE - is an elder in Umuduruajuruna , married to Fidelia , a younger sister of Mr
Ahumareze in Eziama , sons was JOJO , LUCKY(these two were among many of his children that
[passed away), but survived by Reverend Eugene and Friday Eze Omwubie who are both clergymen of
the ANGLICAN CHURCH . Reverend Eugene is the current chairman of the Umuofor community .
ANDREW OSOAGBA - a staunch member of the christ church Umuofor , survived by Nathaniel , Gabriel
and UCHE OSOAGBA , the first knight in UMUOFOR