There is an ongoing debate regarding the origin of the Igbo people, with two Anambra communities, Nri in Anaocha local government area and Aguleri in Anambra East local government area, each claiming to be the birthplace of the Igbo. The argument was initiated by Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh, the traditional ruler of Nri, who asserted that his community is the true origin of the Igbo people. However, Aguleri quickly refuted this claim, citing historical evidence and tradition.

According to Aguleri tradition, they are the descendants of Eri, the progenitor of the Igbo people, who migrated from Egypt. They maintain that Aguleri is the first son of Eri and therefore holds the rightful claim to being the ancestral homeland of the Igbo. Eze Onyesoh, however, vehemently rejects this assertion, asserting that Nri is the true cradle of Igbo civilization. He traces the lineage of Nri back to Egypt, claiming that their ancestor, Eri, served as a religious advisor to the Pharaohs. Eri' s descendants eventually migrated southward and settled in Nri, where they established a thriving civilization.

Onyesoh explains that Nri, as the reincarnation of Eri, inherited the spiritual and ceremonial duties of his grandfather. The Ofo and Alo, symbolic objects of authority, have been passed down through generations of Eze- Nri, solidifying Nri' s position as the center of Igbo culture and tradition. While acknowledging the contributions of Aguleri to Igbo history, Onyesoh asserts that Nri remains the focal point of Igbo civilization.