BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Historical Development: Enugu State was created on
August 27, 1991 with the city of Enugu as its capital. The state derives its
name from the capital city which was established in 1912 as a small coal
mining town, but later grew to become the capital of the former Eastern
Region of Nigeria (Ministry of Information, 1992). In 1967, when the Gowon
administration created twelve states in Nigeria, Enugu remained the capital
of the East Central State of Nigeria, one of the three states carved out of
the former Eastern Region.
Nine years later, two states, Anambra and Imo, were carved
out of the East Central State and Enugu continued to serve as the capital of
Anambra state. The administrative hinterland of the city became much smaller
in 1991 when Anambra State was further split to form Enugu State and the new
Anambra State.
In 1996, the Abakaliki area, one of the three political
and administrative divisions of Enugu State, was carved out and added to a
part of Abia State to make up Ebonyi State, which was created in that year
along with five others. Today, Enugu State covers a much reduced territory
compared to its size in 1991 when it was initially created.
The town of Enugu, where coal is found in commercial
quantity, is euphemistically referred to as the "coal city." The
immediate fortunes of the state appear to be tied, among other things, with
the rehabilitation of the coal industry, and citizens of the state take
delight in being associated with the pseudonym of "the coal city
state."
Indeed, the shooting of Nigerian coal miners in Enugu in
1949, by military officers of the British colonial administration,
contributed very much as a catalyst in changing the political history of the
country towards the granting of Independence.
Administrative Areas: There are seventeen local
government areas (LGAs) in the state, five of which are largely urban.
Administrative Structure: At the helm of affairs in
the state is the executive Governor, assisted by the Deputy Governor. Other
components of the State Executive Council are Commissioners and the Secretary
to the state government. The Governor is also assisted by a number of Special
Advisers and Special Assistants. The state legislature, the lawmaking body,
is headed by the Speaker.
He is assisted by the Clerk of the House in the general
administration of the Assembly. The seventeen local government areas are each
headed by an Executive Chairman, assisted by a Deputy Chairman and several
supervisory councilors.
Each Local government has a quasi legislative arm composed
of councilors who represent the various wards. Some communities are governed
by a system of gerontocracy in which a council of elders forms the
government. One of the members, usually the oldest, is designated the
Community Head, or Chief, or Traditional Ruler.
He works with a cabinet of executive and ordinary members
who represent their respective villages. Other communities select their
chiefs or traditional rulers in accordance with their written constitution.
In all cases, each community has a town union (also known as Community
Development Association) headed by a President.
The President works with a team of assisting executive
members chosen through a popular election. Town Unions spearhead development
activities and ensure that the state government's new programmes are
implemented. At the head of the traditional political system is the first son
("Okpala").
He holds the symbol of political and religious authority
called "Ofo." In some parts of the state, however, the agegrade
system of government is used, and in many others, traditional government is
by titled societies (Nze na Ozo). Generally, these forms of government make
use of masquerade societies to execute decisions.
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Enugu State
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Nickname(s): Coal City State, Wawa State
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Location of Enugu in Nigeria
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Coordinates: 6°30′N 7°30′E / 6.5°N 7.5°E / Coordinates: 6°30′N 7°30′E / 6.5°N
7.5°E /
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Country
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Nigeria
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Date created
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27 August 1991
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Capital
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Enugu
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Government
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Governor
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Sullivan Chime (PDP)
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Area
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-Total
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7,161 km2 (2,764.9 sq mi)
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Area rank
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29 of 36
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Population (2005 estimate)
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- Total
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5,590,513
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- Rank
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22 of 36
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- Density
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780.7/km2 (2,022/sq mi)
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Time zone
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WAT (UTC+01)
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Area code(s)
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042
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ISO 3166 code
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NG-EN
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Website
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Enugu State is a mainland state in southeastern Nigeria. Its
capital is Enugu,
from which the state - created in 1991 from the old Anambra
State - derives its name. The principal cities in the state
are Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Oji,
and Nsukka.
Geography
Enugu State is one of the states in the eastern part of
Nigeria. The state shares borders with Abia State and Imo State to
the south, Ebonyi State to the east, Benue State to
the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra
State to the west.
Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, is approximately 2½
driving hours away from Port
Harcourt, where coal shipments exited Nigeria. Enugu is also located within
an hour's drive from Onitsha, one of the biggest commercial cities in Africa and 2
hours drive from Aba, another very large commercial city , both of
which are trading centers in Nigeria. The average temperature in this city is
cooler to mild (60 degrees Fahrenheit) in its cooler months and gets warmer to
hot in its warmer months (upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and very good for
outdoor activities with family and friends or just for personal leisure.
Enugu has good soil-land and climatic conditions all year
round, sitting at about 223 meters (732 ft) above sea level, and the soil is
well drained during its rainy seasons. The mean temperature in Enugu State in
the hottest month of February is about 87.16 °F (30.64 °C), while the lowest
temperatures occur in the month of November, reaching 60.54 °F (15.86 °C). The
lowest rainfall of about 0.16 cubic
centimeters (0.0098 cu in) is
normal in February, while the highest is about 35.7 cubic centimeters (2.18 cu
in) in July.
History
The name of State derives from its capital city, Enugu. The
word "Enugu" (from Enu Ugwu) means "the top of the
hill". The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a
British mining engineer, Albert Kitson. In his quest for silver, he
discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick
Lugard took keen interest in the discovery, and by 1914 the first
shipment of coal was made to Britain. As mining activities increased in the
area, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, supported by a railway
system. Enugu acquired township status in 1917 and became strategic to British
interests. Foreign businesses began to move into Enugu, the most notable of
which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, British Bank of West Africa and United
Africa Company.
From Enugu the British administration was able to spread its
influence over the Southern Province of Nigeria. The colonial past of Enugu is
today evidenced by the Georgian building types and meandering narrow roads
within the residential area originally reserved for the whites, an area which
is today called the Government Reserved Area (GRA).
From being the capital of the Southern Provinces, Enugu
became the capital of the Eastern Region (now divided into nine States), the
capital of now defunct Federal Republic of Biafra, thereafter,
the capital of East Central State, Anambra State, (old) Enugu State, and now
the capital of the present Enugu State through a process of state creation and
diffusion of administrative authority.
Politics
The State Government and the Local Government are the two
levels of government in Enugu State and in all other states
of Nigeria. Barr. Sullivan Chime is the current executive
governor for the whole of Enugu State. He was reelected by the people of Enugu
State in April 2010 and was sworn into office on May 29, 2010. The governor is
above a group of commissioners who he has placed as heads of ministries that
oversee various portfolios such as Health and Housing; both the governor and
the commissioners form the Executive Council of Enugu State. Government
House, Enugu is where the government of the state is based.
Administrative divisions
Aninri, Awgu, Enugu East, Enugu
North, Enugu South, Ezeagu, Igbo Etiti, Igbo
Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Isi Uzo, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Nsukka, Oji River, Udenu, Udi & Uzo Uwani
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The 17 Local Government Areas in
Enugu State:
Aninri, Awgu, Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South, Ezeagu, Igbo Etiti, Igbo
Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Isi Uzo, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Nsukka, Oji River, Udenu, Udi & Uzo Uwani
Economy
Economically, the state is predominantly rural and agrarian,
with a substantial proportion of its working population engaged in farming,
although trading (18.8%) and services (12.9%) are also important. In the urban
areas trading is the dominant occupation, followed by services. A small
proportion of the population is also engaged in manufacturing activities, with
the most pronounced among them located in Enugu, Oji, Ohebedim and Nsukka.
Energy
Electricity supply is relatively stable in Enugu and its
Environs. The Oji River Power Station (which used to supply electricity to all
of Eastern Nigeria) is located in Enugu State. With the deregulation of
electricity generation in Nigeria, and the proposed privatization of the
National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the State Government would assist
private investors to negotiate the take over and reactivation of the Oji Power
Station. This is more so with the proximity of the Enugu coal mines to the
power station, a driving distance of about 20 minutes. There are also traces of
crude oil in Ugwuoba, in the same Oji-River Local Government
area of the state. The state will also negotiate with investors interested in
investing in the coal mining in Enugu. The coal industry use to be one of the
biggest employer of labour in the state and the state is looking to attract
investors in the industry.
Education
Every community in Enugu State has at least one
Primary/Elementary school and one Secondary school, funded and run by State
Government. There are also large numbers of private nursery, primary and
secondary schools in Enugu State.
Nigeria's First Indigenous University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN),
is located in Enugu State. The state also hosts the Enugu State
University of Science & Technology (ESUT), Institute
of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State College of Education
Technical, Enugu, Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Renaissance University, Ugbawka; Federal Government College Enugu, Federal School of
Dental Technology & Therapy College of
Immaculate Conception, Enugu;Queen’s
School Enugu a Preeminent high school for girls in the Eastern region; Special
Science Boys' Secondary School Agbani, Nkanu West l.g.a; [St. Patrick's
Secondary School], Emene;Bigard Memorial
Seminary, Enugu; Awgu County College, Nenwe; Community
Secondary School, Ugbo; Corpus Christi College, Achi; Our Saviour Institute
of Science and Technology, Enugu; and the Federal College of Education,
Eha-Amufu Seat of Wisdom Secondary School Trans Ekulu Enugu. There are also a
host of private computer schools and training centre’s concentrated in Enugu
and Nsukka.
Medicine
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) is
located in Enugu State, as is the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital and
College of Medicine. In addition to numerous private hospitals and clinics in
the State, there are seven District Hospitals at Enugu Urban, Udi, Agbani,
Awgu, Ikem, Enugu-Ezike, and Nsukka and at least one health center or cottage
hospital in every one of the seventeen (17) Local Government Areas and thirty
nine (39) Development Centres in the State.
Demographics
Enugu State has a population of over 3.3 million people and
counting. It is home to the Igbo of
southeastern Nigeria.
Enugu State is a mainland state in southeastern Nigeria. Its
capital is Enugu,
from which the state - created in 1991 from the oldAnambra
State - derives its name. The principal cities in the state are Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Oji-River,
and Nsukka.
Geography
Enugu State is one of the states in the eastern part of
Nigeria. The state shares borders with Abia State and Imo State to
the south,Ebonyi State to the east, Benue State to
the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra
State to the west.
Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, is approximately 2½
driving hours away from Port
Harcourt, where coal shipments exited Nigeria. Enugu is also located within
an hour's drive from Onitsha, one of the biggest commercial cities in Africa and 2
hours drive from Aba, another very large commercial city, both of which
are trading centers in Nigeria. The average temperature in this city is cooler
to mild (60 degrees Fahrenheit) in its cooler months and gets warmer to hot in
its warmer months (upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and very good for outdoor
activities with family and friends or just for personal leisure.
Enugu has good soil-land and climatic conditions all year
round, sitting at about 223 metres (732 ft) above sea level, and the soil
is well drained during its rainy seasons. The mean temperature in Enugu State
in the hottest month of February is about 87.16 °F(30.64 °C), while
the lowest temperatures occur in the month of November, reaching 60.54
°F (15.86 °C). The lowest rainfall of about 0.16 cubic
centimetres (0.0098 cu in)
is normal in February, while the highest is about 35.7 cubic centimetres
(2.18 cu in) in July.
History
The name of State derives from its capital city, Enugu. The
word "Enugu" (from Enu Ugwu) means "the top of the
hill". The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a
British mining engineer, Albert Kitson. In his quest for silver, he
discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick
Lugard took keen interest in the discovery, and by 1914 the first
shipment of coal was made to Britain. As mining activities increased in the
area, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, supported by a railway
system. Enugu acquired township status in 1917 and became strategic to British
interests. Foreign businesses began to move into Enugu, the most notable of
which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, British Bank of West Africa and United
Africa Company.
From Enugu the British administration was able to spread its
influence over the Southern Province of Nigeria. The colonial past of Enugu is
today evidenced by the Georgian building types and meandering narrow roads
within the residential area originally reserved for the whites, an area which
is today called the Government Reserved Area (GRA).
From being the capital of the Southern Provinces, Enugu
became the capital of the Eastern Region (now divided into nine States), the
capital of now defunct Federal Republic of Biafra, thereafter,
the capital of East Central State, Anambra State, (old) Enugu State, and now
the capital of the present Enugu State through a process of state creation and
diffusion of administrative authority.
Administrative divisions
Aninri
Awgu
Enugu East
Enugu North
Enugu South
Ezeagu
Igbo Etiti
Igbo Eze North
Igbo Eze South
Isi Uzo
Nkanu East
Nkanu West
Nsukka
Oji River
Udenu
Udi
Uzo Uwani
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The 17 Local Government Areas in
Enugu State:
Aninri
Awgu
Enugu East
Enugu North
Enugu South
Ezeagu
Igbo Etiti
Igbo Eze North
Igbo Eze South
Isi Uzo
Nkanu East
Nkanu West
Nsukka
Oji River
Udenu
Udi
Uzo Uwani
Economy
Economically, the state is predominantly rural and agrarian,
with a substantial proportion of its working population engaged in farming,
although trading (18.8%) and services (12.9%) are also important. In the urban
areas trading is the dominant occupation, followed by services. A small
proportion of the population is also engaged in manufacturing activities, with
the most pronounced among them located in Enugu, Oji, Ohebedim and Nsukka.
Energy
Electricity supply is relatively stable in Enugu and its
Environs. The Oji River Power Station (which used to supply electricity to all
of Eastern Nigeria) is located in Enugu State. With the deregulation of
electricity generation in Nigeria, and the proposed privatisation of the
National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the State Government would assist
private investors to negotiate the take over and reactivation of the Oji Power
Station. This is more so with the proximity of the Enugu coal mines to the
power station, a driving distance of about 20 minutes. There are also traces of
crude oil in Ugwuoba, in the same Oji-River Local Government
area of the state. The state will also negotiate with investors interested in
investing in the coal mining in Enugu. The coal industry used to be one of the
biggest employer of labour in the state and the state is looking to attract
investors in the industry.
Education
Every community in Enugu State has at least one
Primary/Elementary school and one Secondary school, funded and run by State
Government. There are also large numbers of private nursery, primary and
secondary schools in Enugu State.
Nigeria's first indigenous university, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN),
is located in Enugu State. The state also hosts the Enugu State
University of Science & Technology(ESUT), Institute
of Management and Technology (IMT), Federal
Cooperative College, Oji River (FCCO), Enugu State College of
Education Technical, Enugu, Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Renaissance University, Ugbawka; Federal Government College Enugu, Federal School of
Dental Technology & Therapy College of
Immaculate Conception, Enugu;Queen’s
School Enugu a Preeminent high school for girls in the Eastern region; Special
Science Boys' Secondary School Agbani, Nkanu West l.g.a; [St. Patrick's
Secondary School], Emene;Bigard Memorial
Seminary, Enugu; Awgu County College, Nenwe; Community
Secondary School, Ugbo-Okpala, Ugbo; Corpus Christi College,
Achi, [ Royal Crown Academy, Nsukka, Enugu State, Enugu]; Our Saviour Institute
of Science and Technology, Enugu; and the Federal College of Education,
Eha-Amufu Seat of Wisdom Secondary School Trans Ekulu Enugu. There are also a
host of private computer schools and training centres concentrated in Enugu and
Nsukka.
Medicine
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) is
located in Enugu State, as is the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital and
College of Medicine. In addition to numerous private hospitals and clinics in
the State, there are seven District Hospitals at Enugu Urban, Udi, Agbani,
Awgu, Ikem, Enugu-Ezike, and Nsukka and at least one health center or cottage
hospital in every one of the seventeen (17) Local Government Areas and thirty
nine (39) Development Centres in the State.
Demographics
Enugu State had a population of 3,267,837 people at the
Census held in 2006 (estimated at over 3.8 million in 2012). It is home of
the Igbo of
southeastern Nigeria.
Religion
Christianity and Odinani. and
neutralist.
Article by Dongai for Kpakpando TV
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