Theologians led by Dr Chinedu Ozims discover Umueri community, Igbos ancestral home

By Emmanuel Junior

ANGELA NKWO-AKPOLU reports from Owerri that as arguments rage over the real ancestral home of Igbos, South East people of Nigeria, a theologian, Dr Chinedu Ozims has advanced arguments that Igbos have their Nigerian roots in Umueri community, located in Anambra East local government area of Anambra State.

To unearth the accuracy over the various claims, a group of researchers cum theologians from Cor­nerstone University of Theol­ogy stormed the community to put paid to the controversy.

The researchers led by Dr Chinedu Ozims are on a fact finding mission on the origin of Ndigbo also called Biafrans.

Traditional ruler of Ezi-Um­ueri, Igwe Cosmos Odi Morah; and crown prince of Umueri, Prince Chukwuma Okoye told the researchers that the com­munity is noted for peace while their hospitality is second to none in the geo-political zone. Ezi-Umueri was created as Autonomous community in 2015, though still under larger Umueri Okebo community.

Igwe Morah explained that evi­dence abound that Umueri people are the aboriginal Igbos, saying all other Igbos originate from them.

He however expressed concern that past authors on the issue al­tered the truth because of preju­dice and sentiments, in order to accord those places a mention.

Igwe Morah said till date, Umueri nomenclature and oral tradition stands out as the cradle of Igbo origin.

According to him, the theo­logians are the second peo­ple, after Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to enter the sacred synagogue.

The theologians using research method are out to confirm the veracity of the claim that Eri, son of Gad, who is son to the bibli­cal Jacob also referred to as Is­rael is the father of Igbos; as they conclude research on a yet to be published book “understand­ing the geology of Igbo people”.

Igwe Morah explained that Eri’s sons settled in their land through the banks of Omam­bala river and then continued to spread to other parts of Igboland.

Dr Ozims however argued that the correct version is that of the Bible wherein scripture said Gad, father of Eri died and was buried in Egypt before the exodus of Israelites from Egypt.

This is because Aguleri mon­archs and their people in An­ambra North local govern­ment also allege that Gad died and was buried in their land.

Ozims cautioned theologians and researchers against distorting facts saying the Bible recorded and gave account of the lost tribe, adding that at no point did it re­cord any pre-exodus of any per­son or group before the major exodus of Israelites from Egypt.

The account of Umueri oral traditional values and their his­tory of origin made the team of researchers reflect carefully on past findings that “Umueri is an ancient town and city in Anam­bra State. The community was homogeneously of Igbo ethnic group, located at the heart of Omambala valley, bordered by Omambala river and Anam com­munities in the North, Nteje in the South, Aguleri and Nando on the East flank, and Nsugbe by the West”, according to Ozims.

According to Umueri people, historians record that upon see­ing the expansive river, christened it “Omo-mbala” implying a very huge river. It was addressed as Omambala until late Gen Murtala Mohammed created the state and changed it to Anambra in 1976.

Presently the theologians observed that Nnenyi com­munity where Igwe Cosmas Morah reigns as the traditional ruler, the Obu-ga area is the sa­cred place, where the age long “Igu aro” practice is situated in Nnenyi, shows the revered priest­hood of all Umueri people and indeed the entire Igbo race.