Umuaka

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The Umuaka Autonomous Community is a city in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Umuaka is situated almost mid way between Orlu and Owerri. The Orlu/Owerri Road passes almost through the center of Umuaka crossing the Ukwuorji-Nkwerre/Amaigbo Road at Afor Umuaka Market.^{[citation needed][1]}

Umuaka is made up of ten autonomous communities, Achara, Amaiyi, Amakor, Isiozi, Uba, Ugbele, Ibele, Umuele, Obinwanne and Obeakpu.

Umuaka has a total area of 26.5km2, about 15,000 households and half of Njaba local governments population. Its population is about 100,000 making Umuaka Ebieri the largest demographic groups in Njaba local government which has a total population of 197,600.^[2]

The area is dense rain forest situated in the Njaba river valley. Njaba River is part of a network of water ways in the rain forest that facilitated trade and development for millennia. The people of Umuaka are predominantly traders and farmers. Umuaka is home to the second biggest market in Imo State. Ime Afo, the main market is a magnet of commercial activity and has been an important part of local trade routes for over 500 years. Its position near the Njaba River made it an important market on ancient trade roots. Today it still serves as major feeder market for numerous community markets and small traders in Njaba local government.

The annual Oghu Festival and Christmas are the two most important dates in the social life of Umuaka.^[3] Oghu is celebrated from July through August and attracts tourists, visitors and the Umuaka Diaspora.^[4] Veiled dancers and masked spirits display their skills and their finery, women weave family bonds with delicious delicacies and children learn sacred community traditions. During December each year Umuaka hosts the annual socio-cultural Simon Okoro Memorial Lecture (since 2002), a football competition and a Christmas carnival. Sons and daughters of Umuaka in Diaspora return in large numbers during these dates and the city and its residents look forward to the festivities and opportunities for cooperation.^[5] There are several fine hotels in Umuaka to stay in.^[6]

Emmanuel Emenike, member of the Nigerian national team hails from Umuaka, also Helen Ukaonu, gold medalist with the Nigerian female football team that won gold during the African female Nations Cup hails from the city.

In June 2021 Umuaka was announced as one of 50 cities worldwide selected for the Champions phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Mayor's Challenge. UmuAka proposes to develop an app that enables survivors, social workers, and service providers to report gender-based violence incidents, coordinate services including a city health insurance scheme and provide microfinance to support economic independence.

UmuAka is one of 50 Champion Cities Selected to Advance in Global Innovation Competition Uncovering Most Transformative Urban Solutions to Emerge During the COVID-19 Pandemic.^[7]