Living in Nnewi
Nnewi is located in Anambra State. It is regarded as the largest city in Anambra State. Nnewi encompasses two local government areas; Nnewi North and Nnewi South. Nnewi has an estimated population of 391,227 according to the Nigerian census. The Nnewi Kingdom was founded from four large villages, namely Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Each village was divided into family units called ‘Umunna’. The main occupation of Nnewi people is trading and farming, therefore they depend mainly on agriculture and commerce for their daily livelihood. it is home to many major indigenous manufacturing industries including Ibeto Group of Companies, Uru Industries Ltd, Omata Holdings Ltd, and Cento Group of Companies.
The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city, while the first wholly made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the ‘NASENI M1’ was manufactured in Nnewi. Over the last decade, the town of Nnewi has experienced relatively rapid industrialization.
Over the last decade, the town of Nnewi has experienced relatively rapid industrialization. Nnewi is also a good and unruffled place for friends, families, and visitors to go and unwind, as it has several attractive places like Dike’s Ancient Tower and Okpu Ana Natural Spring as well as events like Ofala Festival (also known as the New Yam Festival). One good thing about Nnewi is that whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you’re assured a fun time in Nnewi, as tourists can visit a couple of its top attractions for free, every other attraction worth your time carries a moderate price tag. The following are things you can do for free in Nnewi;
Here are the highlights about Nnewi that might interest you:
-Nnewi is a mix of the old and the new, reflected in modern houses alongside concrete buildings as well as the abdication of some fetish features associated with their festivals.
-The quiet and peaceful city has seen rapid development, as a result of the industrious nature of the natives who are mainly Igbos. It is therefore not surprising that the first wholly Nigerian car manufacturing company is located in the heart of the city. It also has the accolade of being the second-largest city in Anambra State after Onitsha.
-With a population of 391,227, Nnewi covers 4 local governments namely Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala. Whether you are a budget traveler or not, you are assured of a fun visit to its various destinations without breaking the bank.
-A trip from Lagos to Nnewi by road is 6 hrs 40 mins at the cost of about N4,000. Alternatively, you can fly to Asaba and take a smooth ride to Nnewi or drive to Nnewi which is roughly 1 hour 5 mins.
TOP THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO IN NNEWI
Take a tour of Innoson motors
Wouldn’t it be exciting if you visit Nnewi to also check out Innoson motors which is Nigeria’s only company that manufacture cars? Some Nigerians may ask is this really true? You can go see for yourself if you have a weekend to yourself. Innoson motors run a plant in Nnewi and 70% of the car are produced indigenously while the rest are imported. It will be a worthwhile experience.
Visit the palace of the Igwe of Nnewi
The Igwe of Nnewi is the custodian of traditions and customs Nnewi. To get a comprehensive history and relics of Nnewi’s past, you must pay a visit to the palace of the Igwe of Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III. He was coronated on 2nd June 1963. He is being on the throne for more 50 years. There is so much to see and learn about Nnewi at the palace of the Igwe who is also the Obi of Otolo.
Join the Dance Train at Ofala Festival
The Ofala Festival is an annual festival originally celebrated by Igbo communities, including Nnewi. This festival is celebrated within two days mostly in October. Indigenes are to pay obeisance to the Igwe with gifts. Thus, it is a long-surviving traditional ceremony of the Nnewi people, which marks the zenith of the New Yam Festival. Music and visual arts have become a part of the festival. The festival usually starts with a traditional twenty-one gun salute followed by an all-night Ufie (royal gong) drumming, dancing, and other cultural activities.
The highlight of the festival is the emergence of the Obi in his royal regalia to the cheer of the crowd. His entrance is announced by the trumpeters, as he is usually dressed in a ceremonial robe and carries a bronze sword in his hand. On the day of the festival, the Obi makes three appearances. This festival is a means through which the people of Nnewi strive to keep their cultural heritage alive. It is a platform through which the King socializes with his subjects and other well-wishers. This festival is also used as a platform to drive community development. Over time, corporate organizations like MTN and GLO have sponsored this festival, as they’ve also used as a platform to market their products. Despite the effects of westernization, the Ofala Festival is still celebrated and has been graced by both indigenes and tourists.
This festival is also used as a platform to drive community development. Over time, corporate organizations like MTN and GLO have sponsored this festival, as they’ve also used as a platform to market their products. Despite the effects of westernization, the Ofala Festival is still celebrated and has been graced by both indigenes and tourists.
Join the Dance Train at Ofala Festival
This is a yearly cultural festival celebrated by the Igbo people at the end of the rainy season in early August. It is a festival that depicts the prominence of yam in the social-cultural life of Igbo people. All old tubers of yam are either eaten or done away with, on the evening prior to the day of the festival. This is done based on the belief that they must begin the year with palatable tubers of yam, which have just been produced. The New Yam Festival, which is celebrated at the end of August, is marked by festivities.
These festivities normally include a lot of variety entertainment including the performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (King), cultural dances by Igbo men, women and their children as well as a display of Igbo cultural activities like folk dances, masquerades, parades, and parties. On the first day of the festival, the Igwe of Nnewi will officiate the Harvest Thanksgiving ceremony at his palace where the yams are offered to gods and ancestors first, before distributing them to the villagers. After the prayer of thanksgiving to God,
The Igwe eats the first yam because it is believed that his position gives him the privilege of being intermediaries between Nnewi communities and the gods of the land. The rituals involved in the new yam eating are meant to express the community’s appreciation to the gods for making the harvest of their yams possible. This ceremony which has been celebrated for centuries, is indicative of enjoyment after the cultivation season, with the abundant harvest being shared with friends and well-wishers. Visiting Nnewi? Make it a date at the New Yam Festival.
After the prayer of thanksgiving to God, The Igwe eats the first yam because it is believed that his position gives him the privilege of being intermediaries between Nnewi communities and the gods of the land. The rituals involved in the new yam eating are meant to express the community’s appreciation to the gods for making the harvest of their yams possible. This ceremony which has been celebrated for centuries, is indicative of enjoyment after the cultivation season, with the abundant harvest being shared with friends and well-wishers. If you decide on traveling going down to Nnewi you can add the New Yam Festival to your calendar.
Climb Up the Dike Ancient War Tower
This 20-feet tall pyramid tower, built by Dike Madueke, a 17th-century warrior, is a living proof of the creativity of the Igbo people that live during the early years. It was originally constructed by Dike to help the people foil the plans of their enemies. It serves as a reflection of the efforts made by the early settlers to survive. Thus, today it stands as a tourist site in Nnewi. The ground floor of the tower is used by women and children as a refuge during the period of war, as a result of the fact that it is very spacious. The interior of the tower has three decks, spy holes all around it and people are only able to climb to the top of the tower with the aid of a ladder. In Igboland, the word ‘Dike’ is used in reference to a great man, who has achieved an extraordinary feat. When you get to the Tower, you should climb to its top, as this would afford you the opportunity of seeing neighboring villages.
Go Window Shopping at Ikedife City Centre
Ikedife City Centre is located at 82, Owerri Road, Nnewi, Anambra State, this is one of the biggest shopping malls in Nnewi. It offers a range of products, from clothing to foodstuffs and electronics. It is a one-stop-shop for anyone that visits Nnewi, to get quality goods at affordable prices or just hang out with friends and family. Whether or not you have the money to shop there; visitors are allowed to go there and do some window shopping. You can simply walk through the stores in the mall, and do a little window shopping, the city centre is well designed with great aesthetics so going about your window shopping will be satisfactory.