my2018: A Tour Around My Town: Eastern Nigeria

Haven spent some valuable time outside the country, i finally took a vacation to visit home (Nigeria) and thanks for this wonderful contest organized by @anomadsoul which motivated me and added great fun in my stay here. Its not really been easy trying to dig up some facts and happenings in my city and today i will be showing you a few findings in the tour around my city with beautiful pictures i took for the purpose of this contest.

WELCOME TO OWERRI. IMO STATE, NIGERIA.

Owerri is the capital city of Imo State of Nigeria. Imo is a state located in the eastern part of the country, owned and dominated by the Igbo tribe with Owerri as its capital city. Owerri is said to have a total population of 1.002 million people as at 2016 national census, with three (3) local governments which includes Owerri Municipal, Owerri North then Owerri West. Owerri municipal is the main capital city where i reside with my family.

THE GOVERNMENT

Owerri and Imo State is governed under the leadership of his Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha (OON) under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party. Owelle Anayo Rochas Okoracha is currently in his mid fifties and currently rounding up his second regime, eight (8) year in office as the governor of the state.

TRADITIONAL RULERS

As long as the Igbo tribe is concerned, every autonomous community in all the local governments has its own traditional rulers known and referred to as EZE in the Igbo language which in English translation means KING. The traditional ruler Eze of Owerri (aka Ozuruigbo of Owerri), His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Emenyonu Njemanze (Ozuruigbo V), died May 4, 2016. Ever since his death which followed by a state befitting burial, Owerri capital city king makers declared a mourning period which elapsed on 23rd December 2017 and the race for a new king is yet to be announced.

TRADITIONAL CULTURAL DANCE

Owerri capital city as an Igbo land, do all types of Igbo cultural dance patterns practiced all over every other Igbo land.

TRADITIONAL CULTURAL MASQUERADE

Masquerade is a very common traditional practice which is obtainable in every Igbo land of the eastern states. Hence, Owerri my city has never been an exemption. I took this photoshoot of a masquerade in one of the masquerade festivals here in Owerri my town.

TRADITIONAL FOOD

My town Owerri as an Igbo land has not exempted itself from any single thing Igbo. I took this photoshoot of some traditional food that i came in contact with which one of them is white Fufu made from fermented cassava, accompanied with draw or melon soup then served with a cup of palm wine.

Corn and peer is also a popular appetizer used to quench the stomach from hunger. The corn and peer is usually roasted and eaten together which lasts for very long hours before one can think of being hungry again.

Ugba, popularly known in English as African Salad, is a very delicious blend of fermented African Oilbean seeds, garnished with vegetables, fish, garden egg and a lot more. I ate this and had equally taken a photoshoot of it for the purpose of this contest.

TRADITIONAL OCCUPATION

Owerri my city as an Igbo land, holds farming so dear to heart as one major means of lively hood which ranges from yams, vegetables and a lot more which i wouldn't be going into details in full.

Palm wine tapping is another lucrative occupation of most Igbo people except for Owerri the capital city which has attained a relatively high level of development and has sent palm wine trees into extinction. Meanwhile, palm wine tapping still holds its value and dependency as lucrative occupation for people living in remote villages around my town.

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

I took a beautiful photoshoot of this couple at their traditional marriage ceremony here in my town Owerri. As long as culture exists among the Igbo tribe, traditional marriage cannot be devalued as it involves first marital rites, entitlements and obligations that a man must fulfil before taking a woman home as wife.

SCHOOL/EDUCATION

Every child has right to quality education. This has been one of the priorities of the government which has really done so well by building conducive school structures where citizens acquires qualitative education. This is Imo City Secondary School, currently enjoying absolute free qualitative education. I had visited the authorities and made a request which was granted to me to pick a few smart ones, for the global money week exercise photoshoot.

MORE EXCITING PLACES IN MY CITY

Owerri City Zoo

Imo Airport Owerri

Shoprite Owerri City Mall

All pictures were taken by me using my Samsung Android Smart Tab

My entry has been delayed due to the challenges both in finance and other valuable resource that i had invested for the purpose and success of this work and i hope @anomadsoul consider my entry valid.