Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, traces its origins back to the 14th century. It was founded by a man named Ekwem Oha, who is widely regarded as the founding father of the city. Ekwem’s mother was Arugo, and they originally hailed from Umuori Village in Uratta, located within the present-day Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.
The founding of Owerri was precipitated by a life-threatening conflict between Ekwem and his younger brother, Ndum. This conflict arose following the death of their father, Oha, a respected aristocrat and embodiment of royalty. According to Igbo customs, the responsibility of providing the funeral cow fell upon Ekwem as the first son, also known as “Opara.” However, Ekwem lacked the means to fulfill this obligation and appealed to Ndum, who was commonly known as Ndumoha, to purchase the cow on his behalf.
Ndum agreed to buy the cow but demanded the head, heart, and other parts traditionally reserved for the first son as compensation. Ekwem refused his brother’s request, leading to a bitter quarrel. When the dispute was brought before the village elders (Oha Uratta), they ruled in favor of tradition, allowing Ekwem to retain the parts of the cow as the rightful first son. Furious at the decision, Ndum devised a plan to kill Ekwem and claim what he believed was his due. When the plot was uncovered, Ekwem fled with his family under the cover of night, seeking refuge in the nearby town of Egbu. They took with them a few belongings and some domestic servants.
At Egbu, Ekwem’s sister, who was married in the town, feared for her brother’s safety and advised him to continue his journey to an uninhabited and unknown land. Following her advice, Ekwem and his family set out again during the night, using a native torch known as “Owa” to guide their way. They eventually arrived at a hilltop now known as Ugwu Ekwema, where they decided to settle permanently. Upon reaching the site, they exclaimed, “OWERELA IHE MARAYA AKA,” which translates to “He has taken what is rightfully his.” This phrase symbolizes their relief and sense of justice.
To announce their presence, Ekwem beat a drum, as suggested by his sister, and she was able to locate them the next morning. After ensuring their safety, she returned to Egbu. The family then shared their first meal—a simple feast of roasted old yam—in a communal manner, giving thanks to Almighty God for their safe arrival, especially given the dangers posed by the wild animals that roamed the area, such as lions, tigers, pythons, vipers, and cobras.
The Origin of the Name “Owerri” (Owere)
The name “Owerri” is an anglicized version of the original name “Owere,” introduced during the British colonial era. Despite this modification, the pronunciation remained close to the original. Unlike its neighbouring communities, which were established centuries or decades earlier, Owerri only came into existence in the 14th century. The British colonial government later designated Owerri as the Divisional Headquarters and subsequently the Provincial Headquarters, marking its importance in the region’s administrative history.
