ABOUT NJIKOKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OUR HISTORY
At The history of Njikoka Local Governement derives from not only its geographical location but form the distinguishing characteristics of its people which present them as of a typical Igbo race.
The first Government influence was in 1906 when the British after Expedition has its settlement at Abagana after subjugating the people into an unwilling true and breaking the guns. This situation led to the establishment of the Udoka Customary Court Abagana in 1938. Local Government Administration continued entirely in the hands of the Colonial Masters who ruled through the warrant Chiefs up to 1953 when improved participation of the people in Local Administration came in. It was then that the District Councils were created all over the Region and that of this area has its seat at Awka Ostensibly because the District Officer had his residence there.
In 1957, there was another reform in Local Administration which created the NIGER COUNTY COUNCIL composed of what we now have as Awka and Onitsha Zones. The Niger county council still had its Headquarters at Abagana.
By the Eastern Nigeria Nigeria Local Government Law No. 17 of 1960, the Njikoka County Council was established. This time the Administration area of the council was limited to what we now have as Njikoka and Awka Local Government. It still has its seat at Abagana until the advent of the Civil War.
During the war, the East Central State was created. After the war Divisional Administration came into being and in 1973 the Njikoka Divisional Council was created with its seat at Awka, mainly because there was no structure at Abagana to house the council as a result of the war. The Divisional Council lasted from 1972 to 1976.
Pursuant to section 5 and 7 of the Local Government Edict, 1976, the Executive Council of Anambra State made the INSTRUMENT Establishing the Njikoka Local Government with effect from the 1st day of October, 1976. This is the Administration we are enjoying till now. ,
The first Government influence was in 1906 when the British after Expedition has its settlement at Abagana after subjugating the people into an unwilling true and breaking the guns. This situation led to the establishment of the Udoka Customary Court Abagana in 1938. Local Government Administration continued entirely in the hands of the Colonial Masters who ruled through the warrant Chiefs up to 1953 when improved participation of the people in Local Administration came in. It was then that the District Councils were created all over the Region and that of this area has its seat at Awka Ostensibly because the District Officer had his residence there.
In 1957, there was another reform in Local Administration which created the NIGER COUNTY COUNCIL composed of what we now have as Awka and Onitsha Zones. The Niger county council still had its Headquarters at Abagana.
By the Eastern Nigeria Nigeria Local Government Law No. 17 of 1960, the Njikoka County Council was established. This time the Administration area of the council was limited to what we now have as Njikoka and Awka Local Government. It still has its seat at Abagana until the advent of the Civil War.
During the war, the East Central State was created. After the war Divisional Administration came into being and in 1973 the Njikoka Divisional Council was created with its seat at Awka, mainly because there was no structure at Abagana to house the council as a result of the war. The Divisional Council lasted from 1972 to 1976.
Pursuant to section 5 and 7 of the Local Government Edict, 1976, the Executive Council of Anambra State made the INSTRUMENT Establishing the Njikoka Local Government with effect from the 1st day of October, 1976. This is the Administration we are enjoying till now. ,
AGRICULTURE
Njikoka Local Government Area comprise largely rural communities. Farming is therefore a key occupation in the area. Unfortunately, there is scarcity of land for large scale mechanized agriculture. A cardinal policy of the Local Government is to increase rural income by improving the efficiency and productivity of the small and medium sealed farmers who constitute the bulk of the population. This objective is pursued through intensive agricultural extension services, provision of production inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and herbicides, introduction and commercialization of new enterprise such as dry season market gardening by individuals and communities and the establishment of fruit trees on compound and small holder basis. A market lack of emphasis on livestock production in noticeable in the agrarian economy of the Local Government Area.
In fact with the exception of a few
commercial poultry projects whose fortunes fluctuate with the quality, quantity, and cost of key inputs like feeds, drugs, and day traditional raising of small ruminants (goats and sheep) and scavenging native chickens. The remedy to this situation ties in the planned introduction and commercialization of pig keeping, rabbit keeping agriculture and other livestock enterprises among farmers in the Local Government Area. The Local Government realizes that some measure of in-house capacity to meet the legitimate expectations of farmers is desirable. Accordingly, the Local Government has embarked on the establishment of commercial farms to support its agricultural objectives, particularly in areas of production inputs, production technology, credit and marketing.
INDUSTRIALIZATION
The industrialization of Njikoka Local Government Area. The primary aim of which is the absorption of the numerous school leaves and unemployed person gainful undertaking, is of top policy importance to Njikoka Local Government Council. To enhance this, it intends to develop an industrial layout which will be made available to prospective industrialists for the establishment of industries whether cottage or large scale. It also intends to establish and run a medium size industry in partnership with private entrepreneurs.
However, the Local Government Area is not bestowed with large tracts of lands for cultivation, the resultant effect of which has led its indigenes to turn to other fields of endeavour. Consequently, attempts have been made to emphasis the need to establish industries in the area. The effect of this is the emergence of few cottage and medium size industries and possibly, one or two large scale manufacturing establishments.
There are establishment like:
1. Tessok Tissue Industry Limited, Abagana
2. Franco Steel Industry Limited, Abagana
3. Roxen Plastic Industry Limited, Enugwu-Ukwu
4. Herbartex Paint Factory Limited, Enugwu-Ukwu
5. Omile Poultry/Feed Mill Limited, Enugwu-Ukwu
6. Melody Recording Industry Limited, Nawfia
However there is no doubt that the presence of some hotels has given its good scenario with a bright prospect in tourism. Some hotels like Crispan Hotel Abagana, Fitz Motel Abagana, EM Hotel Abagana and Jolly Suite Hotel Nawfia.
Enugwu-Agidi also produces the necessary raw material for brick industry in view of abundance of clay deposits there. The Local Government will encourage and assist any potential industrialists or investors wishing to contribute towards the industrial development of the area.
THE NJIKOKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Njikoka Local Government was created in 1976 following the unified Local Government System. Njikoka is in the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone. Dunukofia Local Government, in the south by Anaocha Local Government, bound it in the North in the east by the Awka South Local Government and in West by Idemili North Local Government.
The Local Government Headquarts is at Abagana. It is made up of Six autonomous Communities, namely Abagana, Abba, Enugwu-Agidi, Enugu-Ukwu, Nawfia and Nimo with eighteen (18) council wards and six (6) recorgnized traditional rulers presently. The Abagana community lost thier traditional ruler as at the time of filling this report. this part will be updated as a new traditional ruler emerges
1. Abagana Community HRH, Igwe Partick Mbamalu Okeke (OBI ABAGANA)
2. Nimo Community HRH, Igwe J.C Okafor Agilo (OWELLE NIMO)
3. Abba Community HRH Leonard Nwankwo Ezeh
4. Enugwu Ukwu HRH Ralph Ekpe ( Igwe Enugwu ukwu Na Umunri)
5. Nawfia Community HRH, Igwe Daniel Obele
6. Enugu-Agidi Community--Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche
NJIKOKA PEOPLE
The people speak Igbo Language. They are very hardworking and are found in various commercial activities both in the state and beyond. The people have various cultural festivals celebrated at different times of the year to mark the seasons of the year. They also have MMANWU and CULTURAL DANCES, which add colour to the festivals and are major means of entertainment and recreation for the people.
Among the yearly festivals are:-
NEW YAM, OPOTO-EDE ARO, IYIAZI, UDENWADU, OGWUGWU, NGENE ETC
Like every other community or society in Igbo Land, the people of Njikioka engage in subsistent farming, which is the predominant occupation of the rural dwellers. The traditional occupations of the people has been abandoned by the youths in preference or while-collar jobs resulting to rural-urban migration in search of non-existing jobs. This means that the Youths left agriculture in the hands of the very old and the weak who cannot even produce enough to feed themselves, not to talk of producing in commercial quantities.
Apart from farming, the people of Njikoka Local Government engage in Commercial activities such as TRADING, CONTRATORS AND TRANSPORT business.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ECONOMY
The economy of the Njikoka Local Government Area is more or less made up of Primary Production activities in Agriculture mostly for personal consumption, small-scale industries, transportation, trading, etc. The people also thrive in hotel business, petrol stations business, etc.
The local Government has some quantity of stone deposits such as gravel, late rite, clay etc. that could be harnessed.
The major industries in the local government include garri processing, table pure water, bread, toilet tissue etc.
our team
HON. CHINEDU DOMNIC ONONIBA
EXECUTIVE cHAIRMAN
HON. IYOM FIDELIA UJU OKAFOR
DEPUTY MAYOR
Rt Hon Obinna Emmanuel Okafomanager
HOUSE LEADER NJIKOKA
Hon. Prince Chidolue John Clarence Nwankwo
SECRETARY