Dikenafai
Town in Imo, Nigeria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dikenafai is a town in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria,[1][2] famous for its natural waterfall, Ezeama,[3] which turns into the great Orashi River.[4][5][6][7] Dikenafai currently serves as the headquarters of Ideato South.[1] [2][8]
Dikenafai | |
|---|---|
  Dikenafai Location of Dikenafai in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 5°46′0″N 7°9′17″E | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Imo |
| Local Government Area | Ideato South |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Hope Uzodinma (APC) |
Location and Boundaries
Dikenafai shares boundaries with Okwelle, Abba, Umudi, Isiekenesi and Okwe communities of Imo State.[4]
Urashi Waterfall
Orashi River takes off as a stream, from the rocks, at the base of the waterfall,[3] 183 m above mean sea level, in the Urashi enclave of Ezeama community in Dikenafai.[3][4][5] The river then flows through several communities in eastern Nigeria to the Atlantic.[4][6][7]
The entrance to the waterfall was around the corner from Ezeama, the Water God's altar. "It was a narrow, unassuming pathway cut into the thicket of the forest. From the pathway, one could hear the steady rush of water growing louder as one drew near. A gentle mist hung in the air; a sweet combination of salty rainwater mixed with the smell of fresh wet earth. The pathway, which was less than a quarter of a mile long, soon gave way to a clear opening and there suddenly the waterfall appeared, a breathtaking view, like a huge strike of lightning on a bright summer day", described Nema Obih.[3]
As a lifeline to Ideato South communities, Urashi stream serves as an all purpose river for drinking, washing and many other purposes to communities such as Umulewe, Umuchima and Ntueke.[3][9]
Infrastructure
By 2009, poor access roads was identified as one of the key constraints militating against optimal performance in informal economic activities amongst rural women of Isiekenesi, Dikenafai, Mgbidi, Awo-omamma, Nkwerre, Izombe, Amiri, Otulu and other communities in Orlu senatorial zone of Imo State.[10]: 91 Other problems included poor development of electricity, portable water,[11]: 4 and lack of credit facilities to small markets.[4] Land tenure problems was also identified as one of the greatest factors that hindered development of large-scale farming.[4]
