Naze, Imo

Naze is a town in southeastern Nigeria, 408 km south of Abuja, the country's capital. It is located in the Owerri North local government area of Imo State.

Alaenyi comprises five towns: Ihitte-Ogada, Awaka, Egbu, Naze and Owerri-Nchi-Ise. Naze is made up of six villages: Umuorie, Ezeakiri, Umuosu, Umuezuo, Okpuala, and Umuakali. The market is Nkwo Naze, hitherto known as Amara – Isu where traders from hinterlands (Isomas) came to see civil society. Today Naze is regarded for its farmers markets, vegetable stands, and large churches.

The people of Naze embraced Western education early on, and two mission schools, St Jude's Catholic School and St John's Anglican School, were established in the 19th and early 20th century. Because of this, many Nigerian statesmen have come from Naze, including Pa J.K. Nzerem, Pa Udo Ahana, Pa James Udeh, Pa Ihebuzor, Pa Oleru, Pa Emmanuel Onyiriuka, Pa Emeana, Pa Vincent Onyewuotu, Pa Daniel Onyewuotu, Pa Julius Amadi, Pa Theophilus Ihenacho, Pa Stephen Merenini, Pa Ngoka, Pa Benny Nzeh, Engr. Amadi Amechi, and Pa Cyril Udeh.

Ancient History

Naze originally has 8 villages namely Umuorie, Ezeakiri, Umuosu, Umuezuo, Umuakai, Okpala, Nneagu, Nwarioke

The last two Nneagu and Nwarioke has been swallow up in the remaining six villages. Nwarioke is the present day Maduakola's compound in Umuosu Naze. Remnants of Nneagu can be found in Umuakali.

Umuosu Naze

Umuosu is a village in Naze community with 6 kindred namely Umuariabuo, Umuorieleke, Umumbirihe, Umulumohiri, Umuarioke, Umuibo namba

Umuariabuo Kindred

Umuariabuo is a kindred in Umuosu village Naze community. It shares a boundary with Egbu community, Umuakali Village, Umuorie village and Umuezuo Village.

Umuariabuo History: Ariabuo the founder of Umuariabuo Kindred gave birth to 5 children namely Odu, Egbudike, Okaroafor, Chukwukere and Nwaogu. Okoroafor gave birth to Agunwa, Ejelonu Onyeagoro, Onyemechara, Oguike and Anyanwu. Whereas Oguike and Anyanwu did not give birth to male children same with Odu, Egbudike, Chukwukere and Nwogu. Agunwa gave birth to Daniel. Ejelonu who married two wives gave birth to Onyewuotu and Merenini from one wife; Naze and Ekezie from the second wife. Onyeagoro gave birth to Nkwaze, Onyemechara gave birth to Joseph.

*** OKPUALA NAZE***

Okpuala is one of the six villages that make up present day NAZE Autonomous Community. Okpuala is the second to the youngest village in Naze, followed by Umuakali which is the youngest village in Naze. Okpuala is made up of three kindreds namely Umuiwuala kindred, Lebigam Kindred and Ihenacho Kindred. The three kindreds are now merged into two for ease of coordination. The two kindreds are now Umu Iwuala/Lebigam Kindred and Ihenacho Kindred. The two kindreds have one Oha Naze each. They are Oha Pa Cyril Ihenacho from the Ihenacho kindred and Oha Pa Iheanyi Egolu from Umu Iwuala/Lebigam Kindred. Both represent Okpuala at the Oha Naze council of elders forum. The two kindreds also have great sons and daughters who are well respected in the country and also in the diaspora. Okpuala has some recognized high chiefs who are members of the Naze Eze- in-Council. Notably High Chief / Sir Ejike George Igbo ( Akuoma 1 of Naze) and High Chief Anayo George Igbo (Okenwa 1 of Naze) both of the Umu Iwuala Kindred.