Umuguma
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Umuguma Townⓘis Owerri West Local Government Area's headquarters. It is in Imo State, Nigeria. It evolved out of the old Owerri Local Government Area in 1996. Umuguma—a descendant of Arugo—is one of the 774 communities in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Local Government administrative[1][2]
The ancestral homeland of Umuguma was located on the banks of the Nwaorie river, where Holy Ghost College (Arugo High School) Owerri is now located. Oratta's offspring include Ekwema and Arugo. Ekwema begat Owerre and Arugo begat Umuguma. Since Umuguma endured suffering due to the actions of Owerre, many boundaries were redrawn in the latter's favor and thus most of the area is now known as "New Owerri."[3] This term was created by recent settlers and non-indigenous individuals. Others however, take a different stance, believing the Owerri Municipal Local Government relied on the moniker to usurp some Owerri West or Umuguma land for their use.
European Incursion into Igbo Heartland
Umuguma historically was the entry point for the rampaging British frontier force led by one Douglas that finally settled at Owerri. They arrived Umuguma around 1901 and camped there, until their water supply got very low. Having moved far away from Nwaorie over the years in the acquisition of farmlands, the resolve of the community was to shepherd the strangers closer to Nwaorie river. This communication was facilitated through their interpreters Messrs Igbani and Jumbo: Owerre Nchi Ise, eventually became the bridgehead for further incursion into Igbo heartland thus, benefiting from the benevolence of Umuguma. Of course, the Church missionaries were in close pursuit of the frontier force. The Church missionaries continued their sojourning northwards.
Emerging City
Today Umuguma is an emerging City hosting the Headquarters of Owerri West LGA, in Imo State Nigeria. Umuguma is being transformed rapidly from peri-urban status to an emerging urbanized city, adorned with dual carriageway. A traditional bread basket for the residents in the municipal capital of Imo State. Umuguma is host to the two largest Housing Estates in the State: Imo Housing Estate and the World Bank Financed Scheme for Low Income Housing estate and a Federal Low Cost Housing estate. It served as Headquarters of a Brigade in the 2nd Division of the Biafra Army, during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970). The last Airfield for Biafra was under construction in Umuguma when the war ended suddenly in 1970.