INTER-GROUP RELATIONS OF MBANO IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS, 1906 TO 2006 BY MBALISI, CHINEDU NNAEMEKA PG/Ph.D/09/51071 A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF Ph.D (DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY) DEGREE IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY, IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SUPERVISOR: PROF. ONWUKA NJOKU APRIL, 2015 i CERTIFICATION Mbalisi, Chinedu Nnaemeka, with Registration Number: PG/Ph.D/09/51071, a student of the Department of History and International Studies in the Faculty of Arts has satisfactorily completed the requirements for the research work for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Political and Social history. Supervisor Head of Department Prof. O.N. Njoku Dr. Paul Obi-Ani External Examiner Internal Examiner Prof. Ngozi Ojiakor Okoro Ijoma ii DEDICATION To My God that never fails; Mbano in diaspora and its neighbours, whose societies were distorted by colonial rule; Professor Onwuka N. Njoku, and Professor Uchenna C. Anyanwu, my mentors and role models; and My beloved parents, Sir S.E Mbalisi and Lady L.C Mbalisi, and brothers and sisters, the source of my strength iii ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS In my attempt to produce a respectable piece of research about Mbano and its neighbours, I accumulated a lot of gratitude to many people too many to be acknowledged individually. First, my gratitude is to the Supreme God whose grace and guidance was sufficient to me throughout the years of my research. I am sincerely indebted to my supervisor and father, Professor Onwuka N Njoku, whose encouragement and continuous constructive criticisms played out in the quality of this work. Despite his very busy schedule, he was always available to provide the rare professorial historical touch to this work. He is indeed an icon, my mentor and father of unforgettable repute. I am also indebted to my other mentor and symbol of inspiration, Professor Uchenna C. Anyanwu, Dean Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, whose academic and brotherly love is difficult to express in words. Dee nwa Anyanwu and his amiable wife, Ogechi, and children, Chikezie (Akpunwa), Chineme (Neme nwa), and his entire family were truly supportive. I owe them all for being my family away from home. I also appreciate all the lecturers in the Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, namely; Prof. Okoro Ijoma (Ugwu Aro), Dr. Paul Obi-Ani, Head, Department of History and International Studies, Dr. J.O. Ahazuem, Prof. Egodi Uchendu, Dr. Anselm Apeh, Dr. C.C Opata, Barr., Chimee Ihediwa, Mr. Chidi Amaechi, and Mr. Alozie Bright, for their support and encouragement. iv My sincere appreciation also goes to the following: Mr. Ikenna Odife, Ass., Prof. A. U. Igwe, Dr. Enuka Chuka, Dr. Leo Nnoli and Dr. Nwachukwu Obiakor, all of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka for their words of encouragement. I also appreciate specially, Prof. Ngozi Ojiakor, my external examiner for her thoroughness and commendation of the work. Many thanks to Dr. L.I. Izuakor, the HOD, Paul University, Awka, Associate Prof. L.I. Ezeaku, Dean Faculty of Arts, Paul University, Awka, and his brother Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeaku, Dr. (Mrs.) A. Anizoba, Dr. E.E. Emeghara, Mr. Walter Emerole, Mr. Duru Erasmus, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nnamdi, Mrs. Joy Ikilidi, Mrs. Abumchukwu Nzekwe, Mr. Alexander A. Ugwuja, Mr. Stanley Agogbua and Dr. Nwanze Okechukwu. I appreciate also all the students of History and International Relations Department, Paul University, Awka and others too numerous to mention here. I would like to appreciate my close friends, Chike Enuka (Anu) and his wife Uju, Chibueze Enuka, Ugwuanyi Iykolisis, Don Paul, Don Piper, Uzoma Osuala, Oliver Ifemene (Nna), Chisom Onwuasoanya, Ifunanya Okeke, Chibuike Chimamaka and the entire Chibuike family, especially, Mrs. Grace Chibuike and her husband for their encouragement. Also, Rev. Can. Oliver Okeke and his wife, Mrs. Claribel Okeke, and children Nneoma, Chibuikem and most especially, Adaku Chiemela deserve my dearest appreciation for their prayers and encouragement. I am indebted to my beloved sisters and brother, Ijeoma, Iheanyi, Nneka, Obinna and Ezinne for their love and continuous encouragement, prayers and support throughout this research. They all remain my source of strength. I truly love them. My humble appreciation also goes to my in-laws, Mr. Obianuju Onwuka and Mr. Paul Arukwe. My uncles, Bro. Kenneth Mbalisi, Dee Emma and his wife, aunty Juliana, Nnanyereugo and v many others deserve appreciation for their encouragement. I also appreciate my beloved cousin Obioma Mbalisi (Jacky) whose words were inspiring. I wish to thank especially Miss Ijeoma who single-handedly typed this work with considerable accuracy. To all my resource persons who provided valuable data used in this work, I express my warmest appreciation. Those of them who died while the research was on going, I pray God to grant eternal rest to their souls. My appreciation goes to the staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, UNN, National Archives, Enugu, Imo State University Library, Abia State University Library, and Departmental library staff of History and International Studies, UNN, for their assistance. Finally, I am immeasurably indebted to my beloved parents, Sir Samuel Emeka Mbalisi and my sweet mother, Lady Lucy Chijioke Mbalisi, for their financial, spiritual and moral support throughout the turbulent period of my research. My father, on many occasions, elected to accompany me in my field work, an experience I savor greatly. I pray God to grant him good health and long life to reap the good fruits of his labour. ----------------------------------------------- Mbalisi, Chinedu Nnaemeka BA, MA, Ph.D, Nig. vi ABSTRACT Inter-group relation is not an entirely new field in historiography. Scholars of different backgrounds have expressed divergent views on changes that have occurred in this area of study. Investigations and findings on the theme differ from epoch to epoch. Historically, social, political, cultural and economic considerations, account for changes in the nature and form of inter-group relations in human society. Igbo culture, custom, tradition, and belief systems are dynamic and heterogeneous. Facts of history contribute either to a hostile or harmonious relationship among individuals or groups. The Mbano of Imo State, South-eastern Nigeria appears to enjoy some peaceful and harmonious relationship with their neighbours, through their social interactions and economic relations, especially, through cultural festival, marriage, trade and agriculture, though not without occasional skirmishes. Given the nature of their relationship, this study investigates the factors at play in the society in the face of growing conflict in Igboland and Nigeria at large. Two factors account for the changes in the contour and dynamics of relations between the people. These inter-alia include colonial rule in the area beginning from 1906-1960 and the Nigeria-Biafra war, 1967-1970. The study examines the issues intrinsic in the changes brought by the two episodes to the form of relationship existing between Mbano and its neighbours. It therefore argues that common claim to history, ancestry and cultural ties account largely for the mutual relationship existing between the people, the impact of the two episodes notwithstanding. The work concludes that, in spite of the marked changes wrought on the society mainly through colonial administrative reorganisation, Western education, Christianity and the Nigeria-Biafra war, the people have maintained mutual relationship as people that share common ancestry. They have also continued to emphasize umune as a bond of unity among them and their neighbours. The cordiality of relationship between the people demonstrates the Igbo saying that, indeed, ‘peoples’ neighbours are their brothers/sisters’ -‘agbata obi madu wukwa umunne ha’. The method adopted in the study combines both descriptive and historical narrative. Qualitative research methodology was used in the re-interpretation and analysis of verifiable information collected from different sources. The approach was interdisciplinary and presentation of findings was both chronological and thematic. vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS A.G: Action Group A.T.R: African Traditional Religion A.W.A.A: Aladinma Women Association, Amuzari D.O: British District Officer B.F.O: British Foreign Office C.M.S: Church Missionary Society D.C: District Officer D.C.O: Divisional Council Officer D.O: District Officer D.C: Development Centre D.J: Disk Jokey E.C.B: Electrical Corporation of Nigeria E.C.S: East Central State F.G.N: Federal Government of Nigeria GSM: Global System Mobile Communications Network H.C.N.C: High Court of Native Council I.I.U: Ibeme Improvement Union I.I.U: Inyishi Improvement Union I.M.S.W.C: Imo State Water Corporation I.S.E.B: Imo State Education Board M.F.N.A: Mbano Federated Native Association viii N.A: Native Authority N.A.E: National Archives Enugu N.A.O: Native Authority Ordinance N.C: Native Court N.C.A: Native Court Authority NCNCP: Native Court and Native Council Proclamation NCNC: National Council of Nigerian Citizens N.C.R: National Commission for Reconstruction NCR: National Commission for Rehabilitation NEPA: National Electric Power Authority NEPU: Northern Elements Progressive Union NNA: Nigeria National Alliance NNDP: Nigeria National Democratic Party NPC: Northern People’s Congress OGA: Obollo General Assembly OOKWD: Old Okigwe District OOWD: Old Owerri Division RCM: Roman Catholic Mission SCPO: Supreme Court Proclamation Ordinance TTC: Teacher Training College UPGA: United Progressive Grand Alliance UNC: Umuduru Native Court WCs: Warrant Chief WCC: World Church Council. ix LIST OF MAPS AND PLATES Chapter One: Maps of The Area i. Map of Imo State Showing the area of study -------------------------------------3 ii. Map of Mbano showing Mbano and its neighbours -----------------------------4 iii. Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (created out of the old Mbano)--------25 iv. Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, (also created out of old Mbano)-----26 Chapter Two: Some Pictures of Cultural Celebrations i.