performed an extraordinary feat to deserve the title. In times past,
it was used for great warriors who had shown exceptional bravery at
war. Dike Madueke, who lived and died in Ukpor before 1700, falls
under this category. He is reputed as the greatest warrior in Ukpor
land. He led the people to many wars, perfecting a strategy that
enabled the people defeat their enemies all around. The early European
adventurers who came to Ukpor met such stiff resistance from the local
soldiers that they had to retreat for re-enforcement before they were
able to subdue the people.
DIKE MADUEKE'S ANCIENT WAR TOWER
It was said that in the process of perfecting his war strategies, Dike
Madueke erected in his family compound which still stand today as a
tourist site, a twenty-foot tall multi-purpose pyramid tower that
aided the people to thwart the plans of their enemies. The interior of
the tower has three decks, spy holes all around it and with the aid of
ladder people climb from one deck to another. A sentry is constantly
posted on top of the deck from where he observes the surrounding area
and reports the movement of soldiers from every direction. The middle
rung is reserved for sharp-shooters armed with Dane guns and darts.
The height gives them the advantage of reach over enemy soldiers. The
ground floor of the tower is the most spacious and acts as a refuge
for women and children, considered the most vulnerable in war times.
While the men fight, they ensure their loved ones are protected from
attack. Dike's tower has recently been reduced in height to enable
maintenance and preservation of this important historical monument. It
has survived years of weathering due to special indigenous
architectural skill that went into its construction, which according
to the people has been lost, years ago. The walls, hedging the Madueke
family compound is as old as the tower itself and still stand as
strong as ever. One cannot claim to have seen the ingenuity of the
Igbo people during the early years without a visit to Dike's tower at
Ukpor town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State
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