Dikenafai

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
StateImo
Local Government AreaIdeato South
Government
 • GovernorRochas Okorocha (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]

References
  1. "Ideato South Local Government Area, IDSLGA: About Us". 2014. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. "IDEATO SOUTH UNION UK: History". Retrieved May 21, 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Nema Obih (E.Obih-Frank) (2004). "My Father's Village – Excerpts from a Memoir in Progress (New York)" (PDF). www.oralhistory-productions.org. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  4. Ijeoma, Henry M; et al. (2008). "Urashi Waterfall Ecotourism Development and Cultural Challenges in Dikenafai, Ideato South Local Government Area, Nigeria". Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. African Research Review: An International Multi-Disciplinary Journal, Ethiopia. 7: 4. ISSN 1119-023X. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  5. "The source of Urashi River". tours.logbaby.com. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  6. "Urashi River- Its Source and Natural Course". www.imoreporters.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  7. Anazoo, I.J; et al. (2008). "Sanitary Quality of Ulasi River, Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria". Microbiology, Anambra State University of Science and Technology. African Journal of Applied Zoology and Environmental Biology. 7: 1. ISSN 1119-023X. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  8. "Is Imo A Failing State?". July 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "NGO Partners With Imo, Sinks Borehole In 3 Communities". www.channelstv.com. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  10. Onyenechere, Emmanuella Chinenye; et al. (2009). "Africa Development: The Constraints of Rural Women in Informal Economic Activities in Imo State, Nigeria" (PDF). Africa Development. 34 (1). ISSN 0850-3907. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  11. Oguzor, Nkasiobi Silas Oguzor, PhD (February 28, 2011). "A spatial analysis of infrastructures and social services in rural Nigeria: Implications for public policy" (PDF). Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical),Omoku-Rivers State, Nigeria. GeoTropico. 5 (1). ISSN 1692-0791. Retrieved May 24, 2016.


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