Okagwe Item
Okagwe is one of the nine villages in Item and has about 8,000 inhabitants, of whom over 3,000 are children and young people. Item is a region in the Bende local government area in Abia State, Nigeria. With a predominantly Christian population of around 30,000, Item is one of the largest Igbo communities. Item has nine villages: Okagwe, Okoko, Amaokwe, Apanu, Amaeke, Akanu, Okai, Amaekpu, Umuakpa.
Our projects are based in Okagwe and benefit the entire Item region.
Despite the challenges posed by a deficient health and education system and unemployment, the community remains determined to preserve its cultural identity and support future generations.
Economy
Agriculture plays a central role in the livelihoods of the people, who cultivate yam, cassava and oil palms. In addition, fishing and trade are important economic activities in the community.
However, infrastructure is underdeveloped and youth unemployment is a serious problem.
Education
Okagwe Item struggles with a poor education system. There is only a small, dilapidated building that serves as the primary school. Many children have to work on farms or collect palm kernels for sale instead of attending school.
Many women are single mothers who have no financial support to educate their children.
Some girls stay at home, follow men and are often victims of violence.
School building in Okagwe
Church
Church community is a very important factor of identity and also holds the community together across denominational lines. An urgent need in Okagwe Item is the construction of a church station where people can gather and pray together.
Health system
Access to health facilities is severely limited. The staffing and supplies of the state health station are inadequate.
State health station in Okagwe
Image sources
- Map of Okagwe in Abia. Original work: Uwe Dedering, Nigeria - Abia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Own photographs (Sr. Rosecarmel, 2024)
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