Origin: The progenitor of Amawbia is AWOVIA, one of the sons of Nri Ifikwuanim, the first son of Eri (900AD). Eri migrated from the present site of Aguleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area, to Nri, in Anaocha Local Government Area. These two Local Government Areas are presently in Anambra State.
The brothers of Awovia were the progenitors of Nri, Enugwu-ukwu, Nawfia and Enugwu-Agidi form the prestigious UMUNRI CLAN.
Geo-political classification shows that Amawbia is now in Awka South Local Government Area while Enugwu-ukwu, Nawfia and Enugwu-Agidi are in Njikoka Local Government Area and Nri is in Anaocha Local Government Area.
LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES (see the Map):
The town Amawbia which is also known as Ugbo-Ogiliga, is situated along the old Enugu-Onitsha road in what is today known as Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue. It is about 35km from Onitsha, on that road.
BOUNDARIES:
- SOUTH: Nibo town, Obibia and Mmili-Amata streams from natural boundary to the south.
- SOUTH-EAST: Ngne-Ukwa stream.
- SOUTH-WEST: Uvunu Stream.
- NORTH: Akpaka Mmili – Nwezi Area
- NORTH-EAST: Federal Govt. Technical School, Awka, Pillars
- NORTH-WEST: Enugwu-Aigid
- WEST: Umuokpu village of Awka with Udide stream and “Ekpe” boundary mound as boundary features.
- SOUTH-WEST: Nawfia with mmili Amata stream as a natural boundary between Amawbia and Nawfia.
ORIGIN OF AMAWBIA AS SEAT OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
The British Colonial masters at the helm of Nigeria sent a British Military Force under the command of Major H. C. Moorhouse to Awka between 1903 and 1904. The mission was to stop the destructive war between Agulu and Amikwo quarters of Awka as well as to check the influence of Agbala Juju of Awka on the area.
To be on the safe area for the great task assigned to him Major Moorhouse decided to operate from Amawbia land. The result of this settlement was that by the end of the ward (around 1905), Moorhouse established what is today known as “Old Government Station Amawbia”. In Moorhouse’s report, he stated that the location was about one quarter of an hour walk from Agulu. The same Government Station became the seat of government when Awka District and currently Awka South Local Government Area.
VILLAGES IN AMAWBIA:
There are six villages in Amawbia. The six villages are in order of seniority as follows: Umueze, Ngene, Adabebe, Umukabia, Enuoji and Ezimezi. The last three i.e. Umukabia, Enuoji and Ezimezi are also known as Odo nato.
According to Odogwu M.S.C. Okoye (Onwa Amawbia), Umukabia was the most senior until the war with Nawgu broke out. Umueze village featured most prominently which resulted in their taking the position of the most senior village today.
KINDRED IN AMAWBIA
| VILLAGES | KINDREDS |
| 1. UMUEZE | Umuemebie
Umuokpocha Umumgbele Umunzegbo – Ogo Umunwikaocha – Okpora Umuelim Umuikwe Umulumogalanya Okporaofogbae |
| 2. NGENE | Umuonelibe
Umunuga Agbana Umumechi |
| 3. ADABEBE | Umunama
Umuokpaeri Umunzeafia Umuaja Umuokpora Umuzoegbo – is said to a sub-kindred under Umuokpaeri |
| 4. UMUKABIA | Obodo-okwe
Umuchima |
| 5. ENUOJI | Obeke
Ifebunachi Imikaora |
| 6. EZIMEZI | Azu
Ezioye Egbengwu Obeagu Ndam Umueri |
SOME FAMILIES FROM EACH OF THESE VILLAGES
| VILLAGES | FAMILIES |
| 1. UMUEZE | Nwana
Anyikwa Ofodile Akah Officha Okoye Aronu Morokwu Akubude Uduh Igweka Anemone Nwokolo |
| 2. NGENE | Onwuzuligbo
Ifesinachi (Ifesi) Agbata-Ikele Oguejiofor Nwalusi Oji Maduka Nwekechukwuneke Okeke Mogbo Osakwe Nzeamalu Nwokoye-Ikwe Ekenta Igwebuike (Igwe) |
| 3. ADABEBE | Nwokike
Ogu Nworah Dijeh Udozor Ngini Okonkwo Nwoye Odoh |
| 4. UMUKABIA | Obeleagu
Obechine Okonkwo Nwokoye Edi Nwankwo Anaekwe |
| 5. ENUOJI | Igwedibie
Odumodu Ojukwu Nnamah Nwanza Ananwuna Ezialor Nwogbo |
| 6. EZIMEZI | Aghanya/Chiedozie
Nnamah Okolo |
