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'''Ogidi''' is an [[Igbo people|Igbo]] speaking town and the headquarters of [[Idemili North]] Local Government area, [[Anambra]] State, [[Nigeria]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Chinua Achebe: Ogidi man first, Ogidi man last|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/chinua-achebe-ogidi-man-first-ogidi-man-last/|date=2013-04-13|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> It has an estimated population of 70,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ogidi, Nigeria - Facts and information on Ogidi - Nigeria.Places-in-the-world.com |url=https://nigeria.places-in-the-world.com/2327689-place-ogidi.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=nigeria.places-in-the-world.com}}</ref> people and share boundaries with neighbouring towns like [[Abatete]], [[Eziowelle]], [[Nkpor|Ṅkpọr]], [[Umunnachi|Ụmụnnachị]], [[Umuoji|Ụmụoji]], [[Ogbunike|Ogbụnike]] and [[Umudioka|Ụmụdiọka]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Idemili North {{!}} Nigeria Facts|url=http://nigeriafacts.net/idemili-north|website=nigeriafacts.net|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
'''Traditional Festival'''
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'''Notable People'''
The town is the birthplace of internationally known author [[Chinua Achebe]], the foremost in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Olofintuade|first=Ayodele|title=A Tour of Chinua Achebe's Nigeria|url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/nigeria/articles/a-tour-of-chinua-achebes-nigeria/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Culture Trip}}</ref> An Ogidi indigene, Harford C. Anierobi (from Umuezeobodo, Ajilija-Uru Ogidi) was the prominent actor "Dominic" in the 1949 documentary titled ''[[Daybreak in Udi]]'', which won an [[Academy Award|Oscar]] for Best Documentary and a [[BAFTA award]] for Best Documentary.<ref>[https://m.filmaffinity.com/uk/movie.php?id=772210 "Daybreak in Udi"], ''Film Affinity''.</ref> Also from Ogidi is [[Catherine Uju Ifejika]] (née Ikpeze) (born 28 October 1959), a Nigerian lawyer, and Chairperson/CEO of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (BUNL), an indigenous petroleum company for upstream exploration and production, and Brittania-U Ghana Limited (BUGL). She has received both national and international awards for best practice
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Ogidi's known [[history]] can be recounted for more than 450 years. The founding father of the town, Ezechumagha (born c.1550), married Anum-Ubosi; they had a son in 1580 named Inwelle.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Igwe na olu ogidi (2020)|url=https://www.govserv.org/XX/Unknown/507985479334741/Igwe-na-olu-ogidi|website=www.govserv.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> Inwelle married and had a son in 1611 named Ogidi (meaning strong pillar because he was a great warrior).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Compendium Of Anambra State - Light Of The Nation At 25 (My Compilation)|url=https://www.trendyvoice.com.ng/2017/04/the-compendium-of-anambra-state-light.html|website=TrendyVoice|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> Ogidi had two wives: (i) Duaja, whose children were Akanano, Uru, Ezinkwo, Umu-Udoma, and Ama-Okwu; and (ii) Amalanyia, whose children were [[Ikenga]], Nne Ogidi, Uruagu and Achalla Ogidi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ogidi’s Festival of Cultural Renaissance – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/08/08/ogidis-festival-of-cultural-renaissance/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}</ref> After the migration of five of Ogidi's children, the remaining four sons (Akanano, Uru, Ezinkwo and Ikenga) formed the present Akanano (four quarters) of Ogidi.<ref name="History of Ogidi and Kingship">{{Cite web|title=History of Ogidi and Kingship|url=https://blowbase.com.ng/history-of-ogidi-and-kingship/|website=blowbase.com.ng|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>
History has it that Umu-Udo migrated to present-day [[Umunya]] (in Oyi Local Government of Anambra State).<ref name=":0" /> Ama-Okwu was either sold into [[slavery]] or got integrated into other parts of Ogidi, especially Odida in Ikenga. Nne Ogidi was married to Agulu, and is the name of a thriving village in Agulu.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Obienyem |first=J. Chukwuemeka |url=https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24536358M/The_history_of_Umuiyile_kindred_of_Nneogidi_Village_Agulu_Anambra_State |title=The history of Umuiyile kindred of Nneogidi Village Agulu, Anambra State: Nze Iyile [Eheodinamma] |date=2008 |publisher=[Snaap Press Ltd.] |isbn=978-978-049-932-7 |location=Engu, Nigeria}}</ref> Uruagu migrated and settled in Nnewi, but present-day Uruagu Nnewi people deny any claim with Ogidi. [[Achalla]] Ogidi (a great elephant hunter) migrated to present-day Okija (derived from Oka Ije Achalla Ogidi).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Nwankwo |first=Paschal |date=2021-12-06 |title=Nwafo Ogidi Mystic Festival of Anambra State |url=https://anambrapeople.com.ng/2021/12/06/nwafo-ogidi-mystic-festival-of-anambra-state/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Anambra people magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
Of the four sons who stayed in Ogidi:
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His son, Igwe Walter Okafor Amobi I of Ogidi, had an opportunity to learn from Christian education and culture. He was active in the palace council of the [[Obi of Onitsha]] and adjudicated in its native courts. A wealthy and prosperous noble, he was appointed as a Political Agent of [[Queen Victoria]]'s [[Royal Niger Company]] in 1898;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Niger Company {{!}} West Africa, Trading, Exploration {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Royal-Niger-Company |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> he commanded a contingent of soldiers. In 1923 he applied to be made Paramount ruler of Ogidi but his request was turned down by the colonial administrator who stated " it is contrary to the present policy of government, to place any one Chief as Paramount Chief over towns and villages he has no hereditary right of control...".<ref>Memo MP NO.4/1923 dated 31.1.1923 by DO, Onitsha in OP 56/1923, Petition for the recognition of Walter Amobi as Paramount Chief</ref>
As Igwe, Amobi I was instrumental in establishing peaceful and mutually beneficial contact between the [[Royal Niger Company]] and the people of Ogidi and the greater Igbo hinterland.<ref name=":0" /> Though peace-loving, he was a brave, able and resolute warrior in battle and at other times of conflict. His courageous leadership earned him the respect and gratitude of his people and those of the neighbouring provinces. During this period, he was invested with the princely and ducal title of "Ozo", in recognition of his successes against Portuguese raiders striking inland from the Niger Delta, and indigenous soldiers attacking from provinces to the north.<ref name=":4">{{
Upon his death, Amobi I was succeeded by his eldest son, Prince Benjamin Olisaeloka Amobi. As [[Igwe Amobi II]] of Ogidi, he later represented the [[Colonial Nigeria|Colony]] and [[Colonial Nigeria|Protectorate of Nigeria]] at the coronation of [[King George VI]] of the United Kingdom in 1937.<ref name=":0" />
During Amobi II's long reign, he maintained cordial relations with the rulers of other kingdoms and provinces, including the [[Oba of Benin]], the Obi of Onitsha, [[Ojiako Ezenne]] of Adazi, the [[Oni of Ife]] and the [[Oba of Lagos]].<ref name=":0" /> His eldest son, (Dr.) Benedict Vincent Obiora Amobi, became Igwe Amobi III in 1975 after the death of Igwe II that year. When he died in 1986, (Engr.) Walter Nnamdi Ifediora Amobi (born 19 March 1929) ascended the throne as Igwe Amobi IV of Ogidi, serving until his death in 1998.
Walter Amobi had married Uche in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1957. They had six children, including second son, Ifediora Chimezie Amobi, born on October 1, 1960. He married and has three children, including Chastity Lynn Nwakego Grant-Amobi, born on 27 October 1982.
After Amobi IV's death in 1998, none of his sons became a successor. <!-- Why did no Amobi son succeed him? Needs explanation--> In August 2016, the people of Ogidi elected a new Igwe, [[Alexander Uzo Onyido]].
== References ==
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[[Category:Towns in Anambra State]]
[[Category:Towns in Igboland]]
[[Category:Cities in Anambra State]]
[[Category:Populated places in Igboland]]
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