Ozu community by mapping is almost an eight kilometer range starting from its boundary with Nde-Oji-Aku (Nee Nde-Ojiugwo) to her boundary with Oboro and Ebem Oha all in Ohafia clan. By the western axis towards Ama-Etiti, the community shares closed proximity with Amuru the much celebrated Urunji 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 raining and the dry seasons respectively. There is the 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 at Ozu exposes the tourist to ancient wonders and natural endowments such as rivers, streams, waterfalls, undulating hills, thickets of forest range’s 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, horrendous 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 but 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. Here at 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 stupendous speed in each of the sections or corridors with all the signs and emblems of development which then 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 there as 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 present monumental kingdom Life Plaza (a state of the art shopping mall) with several tourist appurtenances. There is the popular “Iyi-Amangwu” with its historical reference. Kingdom Life College an ongoing University is on the fast lane in development in this corridor. Buildings are rising in deafening speed in this corridor. Migration is very forceful there now. Late Achi-Na-Agbara-Oha”, Patrick Okereke (aka Padisco), Late Chief Ire, Late Chief J.U.Emeaba, Late Chief Acha, Mr. Egbuta Eze were among the first settlers in this corridor. Today other settlers have appeared on the scene with their state of the art buildings and edifices. Officer Ahamefula Kalu Okorie, Captain Kalu Acha, Dr. Emmanuel, and many others have blazed the trail in that corridor. Today “Ama-Etiti” by this extension is no longer that simple microcosm but has now exploded by leaps and bounds thus giving that vicinity a new urban look.
AMA-ETITI CPRRIDOR
“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 synthetic Civic Center that was constructed by the Women’s Wing of Ozu Abam Development Union (OADU). The famous “Agbala-Nkwa” the socio-political headquarters of “Ama-Etiti” is situated here. Here also makes a vantage presentation of 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-Nsoma”, “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 Barn’s 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 but not too sporadic for the mean time. I hope time will perfect the plan.
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 Army Air force bombarded with reckless impunity on the 28th of February, 1969 during their civil war against the peaceful Igbo’s of the Eastern Region. This singular massacre was a macabre display of military shenanigan 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 has just been 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 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 winter sun. That axis was a sand dotted perimeter whose naked foot path was enveloped with hurt rigorous sand that children always dreaded that path. That tree was pulled down when that road was under construction by Hadel and Enic Construction Company under the aegis of the Federal Government. Some people are disputing this fact by agitating that it was Obi Nkene and his group that used their long antiquated Saw-toothed blade to fell the historic tree for their wood business then. Other are saying that it was Late Okorafor Kalu Ibe who was into wood business then that fell the “Achi” tree because it was supposedly in his matrilineal family property and so converted the relic to business by using it for woods and planks. But the near truth syndrome here is that of Okorafor Kalu Ibe and his brother Okoro Motor who were the business men then that dominated that axis. It is also believed that it was the Catholic Church that downed the tree because it was within the range of their landed property where they had their Manse and later on constructed their Sacred Heart Cathedral. The veracity of these claims or speculations is yet shrouded in enigma because the particular culprit is yet to be unraveled.
Be that as it may, it is on record that the “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 Cherubim and Seraphim Church. Chief Emmanuel Onyeani (Omere Oha 1 of Ozu Abam) lives in this corridor. This corridor also has Late Chief Oged Okorafor and his entire family living here. Here also we have Mr. Ishmael Uda, Late Lawrence Oge, and Late Friday Oji Ojembe, Late Mensah, Late Captain Igwe Udo, Elder Chukwuka Okoko, Rev. Kelechi Okorafor and many more prominent sons and daughters of the land live in this vicinity. The famous Oba Kpurukpuru, Mkpo-Orua stream and Iyi Nde Police are all found in this corridor. Late Chukwuma Ebina Oreh and Late Mr. Nkole (aka Iyong) whose house was known as ‘white house’ because it was daubed with white all through, Late Akuma Uche, Late Awa Ozi, Prof. Frank Agbai Okoro, Late Uduma Okoro Ogbuchi, Engineer Dick, Late Chief Ogbua- Njon (aka Balance) etc, were among the first settlers in this corridor. 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 but 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 center has the presence of the Temi-Ejoor Skill and 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. Former Abia State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Agwu Ukakwu Agwu (PhD) and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Abia Sate, Chief Christopher Martin Ojembe, and Mr. Ikechukwu Ukakwu Agwu all have their palatial residences located in this corridor. Former House of Representative Member late Hon. Dr. Onuma Onwuka Oreh with his entire family comprising Prof. Mrs. Kate Oreh, Engineer Onwuka Oreh, and Dr. Okuji Oreh and Barr. Ndem Oreh all lives in this corridor.
Captain Chibuike Eke Usim (President General) Ozu Abam Development Union lives here also in this corridor. The present Commissioner for Health Rivers State Mrs. Adanne Onwuka Oreh, as at the period of this write-up also is resident in this corridor. The author of this compendium too Rt. Rev. Egbe Egbuta Uyere is also resident in this corridor. Engineer Ogbuka Umekwe also lives in this corridor with Engineer Paulson Agwu (aka Yellow President). The popular ‘Holy Family’ is in this corridor. Nnam Anyasi ranks as one of the first dweller with Okoro Kalu Oge and Okoro Motor in this corridor. It is a corridor of who is who in the community.
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. Rev. (Prof). Michael Uka, Immigration Officer One-man Nelson Onyeani, Aluma Oruh, Elder Dickson Ojeka, Mr. Johnson Ojeka, Mr. Chibu Udo, Mr. Benson Egbuta, Late Okoro Egbuta, Aunty Lillian, Rev. Father Martins Awa, Rev. Father John Agwu, Obi Mgbuje, Chidi Kalu Ekelema, Daniel Nelson Onyeani and many more sons and daughters of the land live here. Late Emeka Ojiugo was among the first settlers in this development corridor. 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 life Filling Station and Shopping Plaza punctuating the scenario. It has streets and avenues dotting its land marking lines. The famous ‘Cosmopolitan Estate popularized by late Okorafor Ime’ in Ozu is ensconced in this beautiful corridor. The famous (247) eatery is a business stamp of this corridor and Upon This Rock Hospital. Late Elder James Ogbuagu Egbuta and his entire family, Late Pastor Joseph Kalu Obasi, William Oge, Ezeiyi, Late Chief Eke Usim, Chief Christopher Agwu (Eze Gburugburu), Mr. Onyeani Nwosu, Late Maxwell Mark, Chinnaya Okoko, and Ekpele Egbuta and many more prominent sons and daughters of the community live in this corridor. The presence of St. James Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Winners Chapel is found in this corridor. First dwellers were late Ukoji, Kalu Anaga, Late Kingsley Dike, Peter Ozioma and Mr. Okorafor Ime (aka Cosmopoli).
NEW NDE EBELE AGU ROAD CORRIDOR
No doubt this is another beautiful corridor that is fast emerging as a new layout. The rate of migration of people to this axis is gloriously alarming. Urbanization is fast engulfing this new aesthetic corridor making it the New York city of Ozu. Here lives Hon. Ukoh Nkole, Dr. Awa Nkole, Elder John Onyeani Egbuta, Mr. Onyeani, Mr. Ifeanyi Umere, John Ogbulachi and Prince Ike Okorafor all live in this corridor. It is at this corridor that the famous Agriculturist Late Daniel Ogbuagu lives with his Agric Estate dotting the eastern corner of the corridor. The famous Igwu River junction which has become a business hub is now a scene to behold in this corridor. Life goes on at the junction with Motorcycle riders making brisk businesses at the spot. There is the presence of a military check-point at the junction to forestall the breakdown of Law and Order. The famous Chikwado Mortuary service, Kingdom life poultry farm is also housed by this corridor.
ODUENYI CORRIDOR
The origin of Oduenyi is yet shrouded in an enigma. Common historical opening that is hitherto very viral is that this hamlet came into existence as a farm settlement. Others suggested that it was the presence of Ofia-Opi deity which was the traditional god of the Ihuokwe kindred that brought about the migration of people at that location mostly members of the kindred. Some believed that it was the presence of the Ofia Opi chief priest who alone was residing there at the shrine that made other members of the kindred to go keep him company thereto thus making the site habitable with the passage of time. Some believes that the place became popular when engineer Nkele and his family settled at the spot following the burial of his wife who was a victim of the bombardment of Afia Ozu (Ozu Market) on that fateful day in 1969 when Nigeria Air force guys used Ozu to experiment a senseless skill. Today, Oduenyi is a beehive of human activity owing to the fact that so many have migrated there mostly members of Ihuokwe kindred and other visitors from neighbouring communities. Ofia Opi deity dreaded the presence of Igwu River as it was innocuous to its potency and efficacy. It is a common belief that the water of Igwu does not penetrate the chambers of the deity and because of this casual dogma, Oduenyi, like every other beach community along the Igwu River shorefront does not have a beach so that it would not expose the deity to the influence of Igwu River.
Here is another development corridor in Ozu. Hitherto migration is tilting towards that range which presently has the family of late Elder Chief Nkele, the people of Oduenyi as the principal inhabitants. This corridor is a long stretch of land lapping at the border with Nde-Ojiaku community. It has rivers and streams to encourage its tourist potential. Here we have “Dudum” River, “Okuwa-Ikpo” River and the “Orua-Uku” plane which is a natural cattle ranch as its glorious scenario’s. It is at this corridor that the Abia State Government built one of her State owned silo which has been in comatose over years. No doubt this is an emerging development corridor which time would consolidate.
There is this argument that Ozu stands like Cedar tree with different branches. That the said tree has a long trunk with the branches dotting the two sides. There is a road that runs in-between Ozu community, the road stretches from the border of Ozu down south to the north at the Ohafia boundary. The road rightly divides the land of Ozu into two distinct parts. If this allegory is anything to go by, it therefore suggests that the geophysical map of Ozu is like a strip. At “Ugwu-Ama-Etiti”, the road forked leading to Amuru Abam. The road to Amuru also divides the “Amangwu” corridor into two sides with each side developing independently using the road as a natural boundary. At Igwu River junction too, the tree also makes a branch which is now the road leading to Nde-Oji and Arochukwu. Here too, the community is divided by this road with both sides developing independently from each other. The other tiny branches of the tree are the compounds, settlements, schools, markets, social infrastructures, rivers and stream that dot across the surfaces of both sides giving you the correct mapping correlation of the community. When you read the allegorical tree from our border with “Nde-Ojiaku”, the right hand side is the “Oduenyi” development corridor, “New Nde-Ebele-Agu” development corridor (this one is noticed from the branching off to the road leading to Nde-Oji and Arochukwu), next is the right half of “Ugwu-Eberede” corridor, joined by the next right half of “Ogbo-Mbirimaja” corridor, “Igboro-Akpuru-Achi” corridor, “Nde-Uka” corridor and half size of “Ama-Etiti” corridor. Down the take off point again at the border with “Nde-Ojiaku”, using the road again as a judgment correlation, the first sight is the left side of the “Oduenyi” development corridor followed by all the left halves of “Ugwu-Eberede” corridor, “Ogbo-Mbirimaja” corridor, “Igboro-Akpuru-Achi” corridor, “Nde-Uka” corridor, “Ama-Etiti” corridor and the frontal views of “Amangwu” corridor which makes a remarkable entry into Amuru.
Cartographically, the proper situation of the corridors would make an easy labeling of the smaller arteries of roads internally, the streams and the minor river pockets, the social centers, the compounds, markets, plazas and malls.