Brief History Of Mbaise people of Nigeria

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The name "Mbaise" is made up of five villages but today due to increase in population is now changed to be five clan in place of village; namely Oke uvuru, Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwerazu and Ezi Na ihitte. Mbaise is made up of three local governments in Imo State, namely Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise.

Agbaja and Oke uvuru clan is made up of Aboh Mbaise Local Government, Ahiara and Ekwerazu makes up Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government while Ezi Na Ihitte makes up Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government.

Annual Mbaise Cultural Festivals:

Iri-ji Mbaise, Iwa Oji Ezinihitte, Itu Aka Nguru, Eyiri Eyiri Obohia, Iri-ji Oru, etc.

Religion Of Mbaise

Mbaise people are known to be Christians, mainly dominated by Catholic, followed by Anglican, Apostolic and other Pentecostal churches. Mbaise has one Catholic diocese known as Ahiara Diocese; Ahiara Diocese is recognised in Rome as the Ireland of Africa, reason being that Ireland is the only country that produces highest Catholic priests in the continent of Europe while Mbaise is the only diocese that has the highest number of priests in Africa approximately 5000 indigenous priests despite after 7years of no ordination in the diocese.

Education

In 2019 Imo state is ranked number 1(one) in Nigeria. When you come to Imo State today, Mbaise is number one in education. It is obvious that no family in Mbaise that doesn't have at least a graduate.

Government and Politics:

Since independence of Nigeria, right from 1960 Mbaise has produced so many military leaders and politicians like: Air Commodore Ochulor (Rtd) who served as former Military Governor of Delta State, Senator Tony Anyanwu, Senator Bright Nwanne, Senator Chris Anyanwu, ND Ukah, present governor of Imo State in the person of RT. HON. EMEKA Ihedioha, who was also the former Deputy Speaker Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Speaker Imo State House of Assembly Barr Noel Agwocha, HON Nnanna Igbokwe, late Hon Independence Ogunenwe, former Deputy Governor, Dr. Ada Okwuonu, etc.

Bravity of Mbaise People:

Mbaise are known to be brave because of their history. During the arrival of British colonial masters to Nigeria, northern Nigeria comprises of Fulani and Hausa coupled with Yoruba. South West Nigeria was the first people to became weakened and accepted the British. But when the British came to Igboland, Mbaise was the last to accept the British because our warriors were strong and was unable to accept the British colonialism due to our culture and belief coupled with the information they got then that the British were taken our men for slave trade. 

The leader of the British that came to Igboland was Douglas. Then Arochukwu people of Abia State was having inter village war, Mbaise people then don't want British colony so the warriors decided to guard Mbaise environs in order for the British not to enter and take over their land and make them second class in their own house. Douglas sent a spy known as Dr. Stewart on a bicycle ride to discover the people of Mbaise from there trace way to Arochukwu, Abia State.

When Dr. Stewart entered Mbaise, he was captured and killed by Mbaise warriors and then they buried him and hanged his bicycle on one of the trees at Umuosisi Obizi Ezinihitte Mbaise. After some days Douglas and his troop were worried over what is keeping Dr. Stewart. Douglas then led his troop to Mbaise land, and meanwhile late Dr. Stewart was making note drops while on his way before he was captured and killed.

When Douglas discovered that Dr. Stewart was killed and he was unable to understand Mbaise communication. He went back but later returned back to Mbaise with war. According to history he killed too many Mbaise warriors known as "ogu danglis" by Mbaise people and in return he lost so many of his men. After the war he made it known to Nigeria that Mbaise people are devilish and can kill humans and eat them as well.

The Role of Mbaise in Nigeria Civil War

The Nigeria Civil War will always be incomplete without Mbaise. During the Civil War, late Odimegwu Ojukwu came to Mbaise because of Mbaise history to solicit support before declaration of the war. When he heard that Mbaise people were strongly behind him, he stayed at Mbaise and declared a war known as "Ahiara Declaration." It was on this note that late Ikemba Ojukwu came to Mbaise at the year 2003 with tears in his eyes that if he didn't come to Mbaise to say "thank you" before he dies, that he might not make heaven. Have you ever asked yourself why Imo State was formerly known as "The land of hope" before it was changed to "Eastern Heartland?", it was because of Mbaise braveness and history.

Hospitality and Unique Sense of Belonging

Mbaise are known as friendly people with unique sense of belonging. Our unique ways of celebrating Xmas and party have proved our hospitality and much more. Mbaise are loving people.

Writer : Nwachinemere

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Binnabook Magazine Believes in Free Speech,Social Journalism with newsgathering and verification of Data.

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