Senator to represent Orlu/Okigwe division (presently Orlu Zone and Okigwe Zone) in the old Federation of Nigeria as well as the 1st Republic; the late Justice Ignatius Chukwudi Pats Acholonu, the first Orlu indigene to become a Supreme Court justice; Dr. Douglas Acholonu, former deputy governor of Imo state in the 3rd Republic; Dr. Mrs Catherine Acholonu, notable author, researcher, playwright and Senior Special Adviser to President Obasanjo in the 4th Republic; Eze Dr. Patrick II Chinedu Acholonu, Igwe XI, Duru IX of Orlu Gedegwum. The heroic Samuel Okwaraji who died playing for Nigeria hails from Umudioka Orlu hence the city's main stadium name: Umuowa. The Former Governor of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa, hails from Amaifeke Orlu while the immediate past governor, and current Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District and Chairman House Committee on Culture & Tourism Owelle Rochas Okorocha hails from Ogboko where the Eastern Palm University is located, in the outskirts of the city. Orlu Senatorial Zone has produced the highest number of governors in Imo State. Johnbull E. Okpara hails from Umuaghobe Isiekenesi, Ideato-South, Johnbull Okpara is the current Controller/Accounting Chief at Citigroup, formal Vice President at American Express (AMEX) and formal Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, New York. Ada Jesus – Nigerian actress and comedienne Joseph Chukwudi Obidiaso – footballer Fredrick Ogechi Okwara (born 1989), Nigerian professional footballer Autonomous communities Orlu Local Government Area consists of over thirty-three autonomous communities. They include towns like Umuna, Eziachi, Obor, Umuzike, Umutanze, Obinugwu, Umudioka, Amike, Umueze, Umudioka UKWU, Umudioka Ancient kingdom, Mgbee, Oweer-Ebeiri, Alaoma Oweere-Ebeiri,Orlu, Okporo, Amaifeke, Ihioma, Umudioka-Oweere, Umuowa, from there the First Chairman, USA Chapter of the Nigerian ruling party, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP USA Chapter), Prof. Ikegwuoha, Bernard-Thompson Onyemauchechukwu hail -, Owerre-Ebeiri the home over the longest traditional ruler in the history of Nigeria late Eze Ben Uzomah who was on the throne for over 50 years, Umuowa, Amike, Mgbee, Amaifeke, Ihioma, Okporo, Ogberuru, Obibi-Ochasi, Umuago, Umutanze and Ihitte-Owerre, Orlu is a homeland for Igbo people of Nigeria. Missionary activities The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlu (Latin Dioecesis Orluanus) was erected on November 29, 1980 and houses the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in west and central Africa. Augustine T. Ukwuoma succeeded Bishop Gregory O. Ochiagha who had served as the Bishop of Orlu since its creation. Orlu is also the location of Nigeria's only parish of the Priestly Fraternity