Ozu community by mapping is almost an eight kilometer range starting from its boundary with Nde-Oji-Aku (formerly Nde-Ojiugwo) to her boundary with Oboro and Ebem Oha all in Ohafia clan. By the western axis towards Ama-Etiti, the community shares close proximity with Amuru the much celebrated Uruji descendants. The land is dotted with sparse hills and mountain ranges that is mostly her feature in the northern landscape. The place is at the heart of the rain forest belt of Eastern Nigeria and enjoys the two cardinal seasons of rainy and the dry seasons respectively. There is availability of water pockets across the length and breadth of the land. Meanwhile it has an envied geographical perimeter of a mammoth 1.827 square miles with a population of not less than 28 thousand inhabitants. It is a community with more human density than animals.
A visit to Ozu Abam exposes the tourist to ancient wonders and natural endowments such as rivers, streams, waterfalls, undulating hills, thickets of forest ranges and much arable lands for farming and allied trades. There is also the suspected deposit of minerals which have not been tapped and are waiting for mining. Some of her forests have been fallowed for hundreds of years and hitherto harbours myriads of wild animals that are reserved for tourism. Ozu is home to ancient monuments such as the “Ikoro-Uku” at Ebele Ozu which is believed to have been at its native spot for well over three thousand years. One also could see the sculpted head of “Okeke-Isi-Agbara-Ikoro” the antiquity of our heroism and the Ebele shelter where the ancestors sat to deliberate on the good and wellbeing of the land in pre-history. It has been verily argued that the ancient “Ikoro-Uku” at Ebele had a height of almost 76 feet when it was originally designed before it shrank to its present size due to time, weather and environmental interface. The hut sheltering the “Ikoro-Uku” totem at Ebele was said to have been constructed with materials provided by the colonial headquarters in Bende because of their avowed interest in the historical relic more so because of its artistic nature. A colonial officer in Bende D.C. Mayn made some laudable remarks on the ancient history of the place and pledged to place same on the world’s historic map a promise he could not accomplish because of the near ludicrous exit of the colonial Tsars in Nigeria due to the urge for independence by the people. Secondly was the unsuccessful push for indirect rule system in the Eastern corridor of Nigeria which made the colonial office in London to see the East as an ignoble factor that needed any cordial reference. But Mayn succeeded in scribbling an article titled “Abam an intelligent report” which he posted a grand glorification of the Abam clan with all the vicissitudes of its historical glory. He made reference to the natural glory of the land, its vast vegetation, her social arrangements with the Age Grading method of her social and political stratification and all the cooperate system which made the people such a historical culture.
A visit to Ozu exposes one to beautiful vegetations, landscapes dotted with waters and streams such as “Nnefe”, “Dudum”, “Awalu-Ihu-Uzo” and “Awalu-Nnam-Oma-ofia”. Others are “Osele Atalipe”, “Osele-Nde-Ukansi”, “Osele-Nde-Orieoma”, “Sisi-bia” and “Iyi-Mbosi”. Others are “Iyi-Ata”, “Iyi-Nde-Okonkwo”, “Iyi-Ubia”, “Udukwa”, “Idogo” and “Ogbara-Nkuma”. There is “Gworogworo”, “Iyi-Nde Teacher”, “Nsusu”, and “Iyi-a-Chief” (aka ‘Iyi-Osaro’) just to mention a few. There are the beachfronts (Onu-Asu) namely: Onu-Asu Okorafor Ime (aka Cosmopolitan), Onu-Asu Nnam Ifegwu/Okpurukpa, Onu-Asu Ukoji, Onu-Asu Ben Mgbuje, Onu-Asu Nnam Ebeleagu and Onu-Asu Daniel Ogbuagu. The beachfronts or shorelines were places of recreation and relaxation before now. Children made the beachfronts exciting spots for washing and swimming. They were momentous points of call because fishermen used the beaches as spots for drying up their enormous catch and at the same time fish markets to celebrate their fishing exploit and endeavours. Igwu River was one narrow expanse of natural water way that linked Abiriba, Nde Ebe and downstream Nde Ememe, Idima, Atan and Itu. In Ozu, the River made a popular print existentially because the subdivisions into beachfronts (Onu-Asu) made the banks useful spots for vagaries of native activities especially swimming. Up until the close of the 20th century, wooden canoes were still used in plying the Igwu River up and downstream for recreation and fishing especially at Nde Ebeleagu beach and Cosmopoli’s beach. That of Ben Mgbuje was principally a swimming spot as teenagers often sneaked to that beachfront to develop their swimming skills because the beach was like an enclosure. At the peak of the raining season, Igwu River usually inundates its banks thus flooding the entire Orua-Uku plain and the surrounding environs. This streak of nature usually tempers an untold hardship to the cocoa farms and palm trees that are close to the River banks.
Ozu is divided into nine distinct development centers or corridors as at present. There is “Amangwu” corridor, “Ama-Etiti” corridor, “Nde-Uka” corridor, “Igboro-Akpuru-Achi” corridor, “Ogbo-Mbirimaja” corridor, “Ama-Izu” corridor, “Ugwu-Eberede” corridor, “New Nde-Ebele Agu” road corridor and “Oduenyi corridor”. These corridors are developing independently with its population, aesthetics and social infrastructure. Businesses are growing at great speed in each of the sections or corridors with all the signs and emblems of development which is a sign of urbanization.
Meanwhile there are schools and colleges in the community. Some of these schools are government owned while some are privately owned. The names of the government primary schools include Central School, Omu-Uku Ukpai, and Okweji memorial School. Abam High School is Government owned Secondary School while Kolpin, ENIK are the commercial schools that are privately owned. Other private primary and Kindergarten schools abounds too in their numbers example of which are The Presbyterian Dominion Primary School and St. Patrick Nursery and Primary School owned by Sacred Heart Parish. There is also The Nativity Spiritual Seminary located at “Ugwu-Nmorogo”. This is a Roman Catholic Theological Institution for the training of Catholic Church Priests. Development is on sectional speed.
AMANGWU CORRIDOR
At “Amangwu” section one witnesses the rapid business propensity that has made a sensational impact. There
is the kingdom College Plaza (a state of the art shopping mall) with several tourist appurtenances. There is
the popular “Iyi-Amangwu” with its historical reference. Kingdom College an ongoing University is on the
fast lane in development in this corridor. Buildings are rising in deafening speed in this corridor.
AMA-ETITI CORRIDOR
“Ama-Etiti” corridor is home to the famous Ozu Abam Town Hall that was built by Ever-Ready Age Grade several
years back and the Civic Center that was constructed by the Women’s Wing of Ozu Abam Development Union
(OADU). The famous “Agbala-Nkwa” the socio-political hall of “Ama-Etiti” is situated here. There is also the
famous “Ebele Ozu” with all her histories of ennobled antiquities. In “Ama-Etiti” also, one would have a
sight of the famous “Okerenkwa” totem which is housed at the “Ebem-Iyi” shrine. More so it is of note to
remark that “Ama-Etiti” corridor in Ozu is home to “Iyi-Nde-a-Nsama”, “Iyi-Mbosi”, “Sisi-bia”, “Idogo”,
“Udukwa”, “Iyi-Nde-a-Mong” and the famous “Oba-Nde-Ama-Etiti” which in record ranks as one of the oldest
community Yam Barns in Abam. Ama-Etiti corridor is also host to “Obi-Nde-a-Nkwo” which is historically
significant in the famous “Oso-Ozu” tradition and culture. “Ama-Etiti” was an old settlement before the
extensions were created just like “Nde-Uka”. The following are the names of compound units that are in
Ama-Etiti:-
Before now Amangwu was considered a compound but it has invariably become an enviable extension with the crest of a development corridor. It is now like a different world of its own with the vicissitudes of urban outlook. Another evolving corridor at “Ama-Etiti” is the “Uzo-Oba” Ama-Etiti” development corridor. Migration is taking shape in that axis.
NDE-UKA CORRIDOR
At “Nde-Uka” corridor, there is the presence of the popular Ozu Market which has registered a dominant print
in the sand of time. It was here that the Nigerian side Air force bombarded with reckless impunity on the
28th of February, 1969 during the civil war against the Igbos of the Eastern Region. This singular massacre
was a macabre display of military might that the world failed to notice. That day saw the flow of blood like
never before in our history and the memories remains evergreen. Here also in “Nde-Uka” corridor is the
presence of the popular Ozu Abam Maternity and Dispensary. Kolpin College is also situated in this corridor
with the ancient Ozu Central School directly at the center of the section and the new Omu-Uku-Ukpai Primary
School that was recently established. It is at this corridor that one of our famous Age Grade’s (Akanu)
built the popular Ozu Abam Post Office which the then Government of Imo State annexed into their
administrative structure under the Post and telecommunication Agency of the Ministry of Communication.
Nde-Uka corridor is host to “Ogo-Nde-Uka” which is a socio-cultural political center of the entire “Nde-Uka”
people and also “Ogo-Nde-a-Awa”, “Ogo-Nde-a-Nku” and “Ogo-Nde-Okorukwu”. These three are dominant cultural
epi-centers where the various units are governed. “Nde-Uka” is now seen as the old Ozu since it is a
settlement with all the old vestiges of Ozu. It was from here and “Ama-Etiti” that people started migrating
to other new areas for habitation. “Nde-Uka” is a very large community with the following compounds:
Another evolving development corridor at “Nde-Uka” is “Isi-Afo” axis. This axis is rapidly becoming another emerging development corridor in the community. With the passage of time this corridor would come up to stream and it would be catalogued. Migration is flowing there though gradual. Meanwhile that is where Kolpin institute is situated and with the presence of that establishment one would believe urbanization would follow suit.
First storey buildings in Ozu were all found at Nde-Uka with one at Ama-Etiti. They include “Ule-Elu- Nnam Okpara (built with mud and plank), “Ule-Elu- Nnam Onyegbula”, “Ule-Elu-a- Martin” and “Ule-Elu- Udo Abah”. The first three were at “Nde-Uka” while the last one was at “Ama-Etiti” precisely at Nde-a-Mbonu compound.
IGBORO-AKPURU-ACHI CORRIDOR
“Igboro-Akpuru-Achi” corridor is on the speed lane in development. Here was the former Ozu Police Station, a
building constructed by Late Chief Kalu Usim Achi. “Igboro-Akpuru-Achi” was named after the famous
“Akpuru-Achi” tree whose trunk was so large that it was suspected of housing some magical mysteries. Its
branches were so wide-spread that it became a harbinger for all manner of birds and all those nocturnal
creatures. Birds had their nests artistically etched on the tops of this wonderful tree that assimilated the
birds more nearly to the natural conditions of life when the owls, the hawks, the kites and the ravens
nestled their chicks on the lengthier branches of the tree whilst the warmth of nature chiefly covered their
backs. It was a popular spot because before now that “Achi” tree had a natural shade that made people to run
under it against the intensity of the scorching sun. That axis was a sand dotted perimeter whose naked foot
path was enveloped with hot rigorous sand that children always dreaded that path. That tree was pulled down
when the road was to ne constructed. “Igboro-Akpuru-Achi” corridor in Ozu map is a new layout with several
buildings, remarkable business spots, and streets of slabbed pavements, a Cathedral belonging to the
Catholic Church, Nursery and Primary School run by the Sacred Heart Parish, The Apostolic Church, Church of
Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and The famous Oba Kpurukpuru, Mkpo-Orua stream and Iyi Nde Police are all
found in this ares.Many businesses stalls dots this enclave too.
OGBO-MBIRIMAJA CORRIDOR
The “Ogbo-Mbirimaja” corridor has many fascinating features in its kitty. For the present, it has many
business outlets such as provision shops, cafes and chemist shops to mention a few. Herein is Abam High
School situated and Okweji Memorial Primary School is also a prominent feature of this corridor. This
corridor or development area has the presence of the Temi-Ejoor Skill Acquisition center. It has the new
Police Station, the Magistrate Court, the Motor licensing Office and host of other attractions such as
streets and avenues.
AMA-IZU CORRIDOR
“Ama-Izu” corridor is another fast developing corridor that has gained traction in recent times. This is
another corridor that houses the big-Wigs in the land. It is another emerging business area with the
presence of shops and provision stalls. It is a beautiful landscape with streets and avenues dotting its
geographical space. It is an enviable terrain with a long artery of Macadamized road platform distinguishing
it as a choice location where one will pay more to live there.
UGWU-EBEREDE CORRIDOR
“Ugwu-Eberede corridor” is another scene shore in the developmental propensity of Ozu. This corridor is an
emerging boulevard with a beautiful night life culture. It is a fast growing business hub in Ozu with the
presence of the kingdom Filling Station and Shopping Plaza punctuating the scenario. It has streets and
avenues dotting its land marking lines.