Osisioma Ngwa is a Local Government Area of Abia state of Nigeria. Its headquarters are located in Osisioma town.
It has an area of and a population of 219,632 as per 2006 census data of Nigeria.
Origin of name
The name "Osisi" means tree, plant or wood and the name "Oma", means good, fine, beautiful in the Igbo language. Thus, Osisioma means: good tree or fine plant or beautiful wood. It is a name associated with tree and beauty which is derived from the popular ornamental flower tree called Delonix regia, a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae, and subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of flowers. In many tropical parts of the world, it is grown as an ornamental tree and in English, it is given the name royal poinciana, flamboyant, flame of the forest, or flame tree (one of several species given this name) which is typically planted to decorate courtyards in houses in Osisioma Ngwa. A greater part of Aba city is in Osisioma Ngwa stretching up to Faulks Road.
Culture
Osisioma people generally make a living as farmers, traders, artisans and craftsmen. The typical Osisioma Ngwa men in the old days usually wear what is called "ọgọdọ". Ọgọdọ is a type of white woven cloth tied around the waistline to cover nakedness and the women use the fabric as a wrapper to cover the body from chest flowing down to the knees. Contemporarily, just like most Igbo communities, men dress down in trousers and shirts with shoes, sandals or slippers to work, shop or office just like their female counterparts but the traditional male attire preferred for occasions and big celebrations in Osisioma culture consists of a special top called 'Isiagụ' and trousers of any colour usually worn with sandals or shoes and red cap to match.
Geography/Climate
Osisioma Ngwa is a flat land without hills or mountains and has a headwater located at Okpu Umuobo that runs through the thick forest cutting across into the city of Aba River waterside in Ogbor Hill. The river is a tributary of the Imo River located in the Southern part of Nigeria. Osisioma Ngwa shares boundaries with Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo in the South, Aba South Local Government Area and Aba North Local Government Area in the East, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area in the North and Omuma Local Government Area , Rivers State in the West.
Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway cuts through Osisioma Ngwa with the Aba-Owerri Road running through it from Aba Town Hall down to Olaz Oil filling station.
It has other major routes such as the NNPC depot road which leads to Osisioma Ngwa local government headquarters as well as Osisioma Police Divisional Headquarters, High and Magistrates Court and Ekeakpara market down to Owerrinta the boundary between Abia State and Imo State.
Over the course of the year, Osisioma's average percentage of cloud-covered sky varies significantly by season.
In Osisioma, the clearer portion of the year lasts for 2.6 months, starting around November 24 and ending around February 12.
December is the clearest month of the year in Osisioma, with 39% of the sky being clear, mostly clear, or partly overcast on average.
Beginning about February 12 and lasting 9.4 months, the cloudier portion of the year ends around November 24.
In Osisioma, April is the cloudiest month of the year, with 88% of the sky being cloudy or partly cloudy on average.
Economy
Agriculture is the major occupation of the people of Osisioma Ngwa. They are mostly subsistence farmers and grow Cassava, Oil Palm, Rafia Palm, Vegetable, Ube (Local Pear), Plantain, Okra, Maize, melon, red pepper, yam, and cocoa yam. Some people rear animals such as goats, sheep, fowl and occasionally cattle, but largely don't grow crops or rear animals in commercial quantity.
Industries and companies
Tonimas Group
Chemlap Nigeria Ltd. J. Udeagbala Holdings Guinness Nigeria Plc NNPC Aba Depot Valleumbra Nigeria Limited VON Nigeria Limited Pitason Nigeria Limited Nicen Nigeria Limited Clover Paints Nigeria Limited Adaobi Nig Ltd Geometric Nigeria Limited Polema Industries Limited, to mention but a few Chriveld Petroleum Ltd.
Autonomous communities
Community leadership in Osisioma Ngwa is designated on the Traditional Ruler popularly called "Eze" which means King. The Eze is a person widely perceived to represent a community in its traditional religion and socio-economic development. The position of a traditional ruler is not hereditary and is subjected to the democratic process of nomination, selection, appointment and coronation of the eligible candidate among peers who contested for the post by the state Governor.