Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Oral traditions say that Unubi, a community in Anambra South Local Government Area, Anambra State is derived from two Igbo words, ‘Uno and Ubi’; meaning abode in the farm land.
History in most Igbo societies has proved that every settlement came as a result of conquest of war, farming or hunting expeditions.
According to an indigene of Unubi, Chidiebere Agba, the origin of Unubi has no written records, but oral tradition confirms that the first man that arrived the territory came down from the north of the community which is Ezinifite, a sprawling community in Aguata Local Government Area.
But in order to secure his territory, he resorted to Akpu deity, a tree he promised libations if he was protected year by year.
“This tree is located at Afor market opposite Unubi Development Union office. As settlement grew in size and population, it became necessary to widen the territory. He stretched forth to Umuegbe where he made the second shrine ‘Akpu Agu’ beside Asusu’s compound. He also proceeded further south downhill until he reached the present site of Unubi Boys’ Secondary School, where he made his third shrine ‘Akpu Agu Uzubi’. It was at this point that these group of people unanimously coined Unubi as the name of the territory.
For the people of this community who share common boundary with Ekwulumili and Akwaihedi, the year 2018 ended on a very memorable note while the New Year 2019 holds lots of promises.
As the month of December beckoned the New Year, for five days running; Unubi was in frenzy and festive mood. Tagged “Unubi Mass Return”, it was a harvest of activities ranging from unity carnival where youths of the community trooped out into the streets gaily dressed and singing songs of unity before converging at the community secondary school for the lighting of the unity torch.
The first day of the event ended with a musical show and talent hunt where young, up and coming artistes who sang different genres of music showcased their talents for reward and appreciation.
The second day featured match past by various branches of Unubi Development Union, age grades, villages , students and other indigenes residing outside Nigeria.
There were also cultural dances by Unubi women groups, retirement and pull-out ceremonies by the Ekwueme Age Grade while the third day was a time of thanksgiving/bazaar sales in various churches in the community. The activities of the day were wrapped up with the crowning of Miss Unubi in beauty pageantry for the maidens of the community.
The fourth day was scheduled for the visit of Governor Willie Obiano to the community, conferment of chieftaincy titles and all night concerts with Umu Obiligbo singers, Sunny Bobo and the music ambassador of Unubi community, Queen Theresa Onuorah of Egedege fame.
Activities of the grand finale featured Unubi Youth Ambassadors’ Award, fund raising, raffle draw and the breath-taking closing ceremony with Unubi cultural troupe.
President General of the town union, Dr Josiah Okonkwo in an interview told Daily Sun that such mass return programme for the community holds every four years.
He explained that the community takes the ceremony seriously because it is a strong unifying factor for the people to celebrate their close family ties, affinity and brotherly love.
According to him, it is a rule that indigenes of the community return home with their family and also attend the gathering with them. This practice, he noted, has made it possible for people to know more about one another and also prevent a situation where many people commit incest unknowingly by marrying their blood relations or relating like lovers in the township without knowing that they are blood brothers and sisters.
Okonkwo also said that it was a period to initiate and elicit support for community development projects like the medical outreaches and building of community hospital already nearing completion, among others.
Chief Obumneme Ogum who was chosen to light up the Unubi Unity Torch said the celebration typified the unity that has prevailed in the community overtime.
Also, traditional ruler of Unubi, Francis Umennajiego, thanked Governor Obiano for the ‘Choose Your Project Initiative’ which he noted has benefitted the community.
Regardless, he expressed regrets over the abandoned Unubi-Akwaihedi road, pointing out that they had made several representations about the stalled project to Government; all to no avail. He said the completion of the road will make it easier for them to access Ukpor, the local government headquarters, among other routes.