Anambra
State
|
Anambra
State.
|
Nickname(s): Light of
the Nation
Igbo: Ife Mbà
|
Location
of Anambra in Nigeria
|
Coordinates: 6°20′N 7°00′ECoordinates:
6°20′N 7°00′E
|
Country
|
Nigeria
|
Date
created
|
27 August 1991
Dr. C.C. Azodo, A dentist and Periodontologist from Ogidi
|
Capital
|
Awka
|
Government
|
• Governor
|
Obaino Williams
|
Area
|
• Total
|
4,844 km2 (1,870 sq mi)
|
Area rank
|
35 of 36
|
Population (2006 census)
|
• Total
|
4,055,048
|
• Rank
|
10
of 36
|
• Density
|
840/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
|
GDP (PPP)
|
• Year
|
2007
|
• Total
|
$11.83 billion
|
• Per capita
|
$1,615
|
Time zone
|
WAT (UTC+01)
|
ISO 3166
|
NG-AN
|
Website
|
|
|
The indigenous ethnic group
in Anambra state are the Igbo (98% of
population) and a small population of Igala (2%
of the population) who live in the North western part of the state
Anambra is the eighth most
populated state in the Federal
Republic of Nigeria and the second most densely populated state
in Nigeria after Lagos State. The
stretch of more than 45 km between Oba and Amorka contains a cluster of numerous thickly
populated villages and small towns giving the area an estimated average density
of 1,500–2,000 persons per square kilometre.
Resources
Anambra is rich in natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, ceramic and has an almost 100
percent arable soil.
In the year 2006, foundation
laying ceremony for the first Nigerian private refinery Orient Petroleum
Refinery (OPR) was made at Aguleri area. The Orient Petroleum Resource
Ltd, (OPRL) owners of OPR, was licensed in June 2002, by the Federal Government
to construct a private refinery with a 55,000 b/d capacity.
Furthermore, Anambra state is
a state that has many other resources in terms of agro-based activities like
fishery and farming, as well as land cultivated for pasturing and animal
husbandry.
Currently,Anambra State has
the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria.
History
Anambra possesses a history
that stretches back to the 9th century AD, as revealed by archaeological
excavations at Igbo-Ukwu and Ezira;
Great works of art in iron, bronze, copper, and pottery works belonging to the
ancient Kingdom of Nri,
revealed a sophisticated divine Kingship administrative system which held sway
in the area of Anambra from c. 948 AD to 1911.
During the Nigerian/Biafran war,
a relief airstrip, was constructed by Biafran engineers in the town of Uli/Amorka (code
named "Annabelle"). Extremely dangerous relief flights took off
from Sao Tome and other sites loaded with tons
of food and medicine for the distressed Biafran population. Uli/Amorka airstrip
was the site where brave American pilots like Alex Nicoll, and scores of
others, made the supreme sacrifice in the service of humanity, delivering tons
of relief supplies to the Biafran population.Disgusted by the suffering and
mounting death toll in Biafra from starvation as well as the continuous
harassment of the relief planes by the Nigerian Airforce, Carl Gustaf von Rosen resigned
as a Red Cross relief pilot and helped Biafra
to form an Airforce of five Minicoin planes Malmö MFI-9 stationed at the Uga
airstrip. He named his tiny but effective airforce "Babies
of Biafra" in honour of the babies who died via starvation
inside Biafra.
Old Anambra State was created
in 1976 from part of East Central State,
and its capital was Enugu. A further
re-organisation in 1991 divided Anambra into two states, Anambra and Enugu. The
capital of Anambra is Awka.
Culture and
Tourism
Agulu Lake
Agulu Crocodile Lake is
located along Awka road in Agulu, Aniocha Local Government Area of the state. A
potential tourist site, it is home to an estimated three hundred crocodiles and
water turtles. Fishing is not allowed on the lake and the crocodiles, being
sacred animals to the people, cannot be killed. Legend says that these
crocodiles were instrumental in delivering the town from enemy soldiers during
the Nigerian civil war. It is believed that these sacred crocodiles and turtles
transformed themselves into beautiful ladies and lured the soldiers unawares
into the lake where they disappeared without trace. At noon the crocodiles and
the turtles appear at the banks of the lake to take in sunlight.
Ogbunike Caves, listed
by UNESCO as a world Heritage Site is one
of the most visited tourist sites in Anambra State. It is classified as a
Sandstone cave (Lateritic sandstones of Campanian-Miocene age). It has very scenic vegetation
with attractive waterfall. It is situated in the Ogba hills Ogbunike, across
the Ugwu-Aga Escarpment Umunya by the Enugu/Onitsha Expressway and lies in the
coordinates of N06 11 11 and E06 54 21.
Ornamental
staff head in form of a coiled snake, 9th century bronze, Igbo-Ukwu,
Anambra State
Igbo Ukwu Museum: is an ancient town known for
astonishing metalcrafts and has remained an attraction to tourists because of
its bronze artifacts. The bronzes which were first noticed in 1938 and later
excavated by Thurstan Shaw (an
English archaeologist) date back to about the 9th century, are of high value
and historic relevance.
Uzu-Oka: Awka is historically
known for the great metal foundry, Uzu Craftmanship. Imo-Awka is an annual
festival celebrated by the natives.
Niger
Bridge - Gateway into Anambra
Other Anambra tourism
potentials and cultural festivals include:
·
Ijele Masquerade listed in
UNESCO Archives as Intangible cultural element Ijele dance festival is home to
the 'Olus' of the Omambala area: Anaku, Omor, Aguleri, Umuleri, Awkuzu, Umunya,
etc.
·
Achukwu Masqurade of
Ekwulobia.
·
Ekwulobia New Yam Festival.
·
Omaba Yearly New-Yam
Festival.
·
Aguluzigbo New-Yam Festival
·
Ozubulu New-yam festival
·
Ozoebunu masquerade of
Ozubulu
·
Ajana-Ukwu and Igu aro
festivals at Aguleri.
·
Akwuneche enyi masquerade of
Omambala area: Anaku, Igbakwu, Aguleri, Umuleri, Awkuzu, Umunya, etc.
·
Izaga masquerade of Omambala
area: Anaku, Igbakwu, Aguleri, Umuleri, Awkuzu, Umunya, etc.
·
Abele masquerade of Omambala
area: Anaku, Igbakwu, Aguleri, Umuleri, Awkuzu, Umunya, etc.
·
Agbanagbo Ezu-na-Omambala
(Confluence of Ezu and Omabala rivers) at Aguleri
·
Obu Gad at Enugwu Aguleri.
·
Ini ERI (Eri Grave) at Aguleri
·
Ini Iguedo (Iguedo Grave) at
Nando.
·
Odinani Museum at Nri.
·
Afia olu Festival in Nnewi.
·
Amanwulu and ozo Festivals
at Aguleri.
·
Olili Obibia Eri (Eri
Festival) in Enugwu Aguleri attracts
thousands of visitors home and abroad annually.
·
The River Niger at Onitsha and Asaba with the famous Niger bridge is the
eastern gateway linking the South East with Niger Delta and Western Nigeria.
·
Uzoiyi Festival Umuoji
attracts thousands of visitors annually.
·
Agwuve Trinity Tree at Enugwu Aguleri
·
Ofala (Ovala)
Festival is the commemorative of Kingship celebrated by various towns. It was
popularised by Onitsha town.
·
Igu-Aro is the major kingship
festival among the Umueri and Aguleri.
·
Nkpokiti Dance, Umunze is known for fantastic acrobatic performances.
·
Rogeny Tourist Village at Oba
(a stadium that is equipped with recreational activities including a swimming
pool, zoo, shrine, soccer stadium, etc./
Education
Nnamdi Azikiwe
University
Awka,
the state capital, is also the center of Nigeria's metalwork and carving
industries. Educationally, Anambra is a centre of excellence. There are
the Nnamdi Azikiwe
University (UNIZIK), Awka a federal university with College of
Medicine situated at Nnewi. The UNIZIK Nnewi runs a modern Teaching Hospital
with facilities also at Umunya and Ukpo. UNIZIK also have faculty of
pharmacology at Agulu, School of Preliminary studies at Mbaukwu and College of
Agriculture.
The Anambra State
University, formerly known as Anambra State University of Science
and Technology (ASUTECH), with two campuses, one in Uli, and another at
Igbariam; the Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Nwafor Orizu University of Education (formerly
known as the Nwafor Orizu College of Education), Nsugbe. Private Universities include The Tansian
University, Umunya and Madonna University, Okija.
Literacy rate in the state is
comparatively high. Some of the more notable secondary schools include Dennis
Memorial Grammar School (D.M.G.S) Onitsha; Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka; St
Christopher's Junior Seminary 3-3 Onitsha; Girls' Secondary School Onitsha;
Zixton Secondary School Ozubulu; St Peter's Special Science School Achina;
Girls' Secondary School Ozubulu; St Charles' Special Science School
(SCSSS), Onitsha; Christ the King college (C.K.C)
Onitsha; Our Lady's High School Onitsha; Comprehensive Secondary School Nawfia;
Queen Of the Rosary College (Q.R.C.) Onitsha, St. Monica's College Ogbunike; Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana; St Michaels Secondary School Nimo,
Girls Secondary School Nimo, St Mary's High School Ifitedunu; Igwebuike Grammar
School Awka; Lorretto Special Science School Adazi; Father Joseph Memorial High
School Aguleri; Girls High School Umunya; Ajalli Government School; Community
Secondary School Igbariam and many more. Primary and secondary school
enrollment in the state is one of the highest in the country. Consequently,
Anambra state has the highest number of JAMB candidates
going after the limited number of spaces in Nigeria's tertiary colleges.
Politics
Anambra
State Government House
Anambra’s political history
can be described as awesome, weird and unique depending on the aspect one turns
to. It is a state with a long list of “firsts” in Nigeria history that dubbed
the sobriquet “The Light of The Nation”. On May 29, 1999, Chinwoke Mbadinuju was
sworn in as civilian governor of Anambra state, after many years of military
rule. His administration was marred by heavy problems. The most notable is the
teachers' salary which was withheld for a long time. This led to a ten-months
strike in all the government secondary schools in the state. Also, before his
rule, secondary education had been free of charge. But his administration
prescribed a tuition fee of 3000 Naira per term for all secondary schools,
which led to an unprecedented massive demonstration by the secondary school
students from all over the state. Many people attribute Mbadinuju's failure to
political godfathers a debacle that also trailed his successor. On May 26,
2003, Chris Ngige was
sworn in as the new governor of the state, but he was removed in March 2006
when Peter Obi of APGA dragged him to court on
charges of electoral malpractice. The Court of Appeal in Enugu asserted that
his election victory in 2003 was fraudulent and ordered him to leave the seat. Peter Obi was in turn ousted by a faction
of the Anambra State House of Assembly on November 2, 2006 and replaced
by Virginia Etiaba,
his deputy. On February 9, 2007 Mrs.
Etiaba handed power back to Obi after the Court of Appeal had nullified Obi's
removal.
On April 14, 2007, Andy Uba of PDP was "elected"
the new governor of the state and, on May 29, was sworn in as the new governor.
The election was reported to be massively rigged and was disapproved all over
the country. On June 14, 2007 the Supreme Court of
Nigeria removed Andy Uba from office and replaced him with his
predecessor Peter Obi, on the
ground that Peter Obi's tenure had not ended, therefore there was no vacancy in
the governorship.
On Saturday, 6 February 2010,
Peter Obi was re-elected governor for a second term of four years, after a hot
contest with Chris Ngige, a former governor of the state; Prof. Charles Soludo, a former governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria and Andy Uba who was a strong voice in the state's
politics. Other contenders included Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Prince Nicholas
Ukachukwu and many others. Altogether, there were twenty-five contestants for
the office. Peter Obi was named the winner of the election, with more than 30%
votes above the immediate runner-up.
Cities and Adminstratie
divisons
With an annual population
growth rate of 2.21 percent per annum, Anambra State has over 60% of its people
living in urban areas making it one of the most urbanized places in Nigeria.
The major urban centres of
Anambra state are Onitsha including
Okpoko, Nnewi, and Awka.
Awka and Onitsha developed as pre-colonial urban centres with Awka as the craft
industrial centre of the Nri hegemony; and Onitsha the city state on the Niger
and a river port and commercial centre.
Onitsha is a fast-growing commercial
city, and has developed to become a huge conurbation extending to Idemili, Oyi
and Anambra East LGAs with one of the largest markets in West Africa. Nnewi (the
Taiwan of Nigeria) is a rapidly developing industrial and commercial centre;
and Awka, by becoming the state capital is, as it were, regaining its
precolonial administrative eminence.
Other main towns of Anambra
state are: Aguleri, Awka-Etiti, Awgbu, Lilu,
Igbariam, Enugwu Aguleri,
Omor,Aguluzigbo, Umumbo, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Abatete, Achina, Agulu,
Amorka, Aguluezechukwu, Ogidi, Obosi, Ihiala, Amichi, Uga, Uli, Ubuluisiuzor, Abagana, Alor, Nsugbe, Atani, Nkpor,
Eziowelle, Ezinifite, Oba, Ichi, Ojoto, Oraifite, Ozubulu, Umuawulu,
Umunze, Umuoji, Umunachi, Umudioka, Unubi, Umunya,
Umuleri, Awkuzu, Utuh, Ogbunike, Nteje, Ekwulobia, Igbo-Ukwu, Ichida, Ora-Eri, Ihembosi,
Akwaukwu, Uke, Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Okija, Ajalli, Oko, Oraukwu, Osumenyi, Nnobi, Nnokwa, Ideani,
Adazi-Nnukwu, Adazi-Enu, Umuanaga, Adazi Ani, Nanka, Nimo, Nneni, Nmiata-Anam,
Awkuzu, Ebenebe, Enugu Ukwu,
Enugwu-Agidi, Umueze-Anam, Nawfia, Amawbia, Agukwu, Nando, Nanka, Nnokwa,
Amansea, Amanuke, Achalla, Mgbakwu, Ugbenu, Umunya, Ugbenne, Umuchu, Umuomaku,
Isuaniocha, Azia, Utuh, Akwaeze, Omogho, Akpu, Amesi, Ebenator, Nibo, Mbaukwu,
Nise, Achala, Ukpor, Akpo, Okpeze, Amaetiti, Iseke, Anaku, Isuofia,
Oba-Ofemili, Okpeze, Nawfija, Isulo, Ufuma, Aguluzoigbo, Ogbunka, Osumoghu,
Ezinihite, Ezira, Obeledu, Ndiukwuenu, Nawgu, Awa, Nkpologwu, Amaokpala,
Owellezukala, Ndi-okpaleke, Ndikelionwu, Abba,Ekwulumili
Anambra State LGA Map
There are 21 local government
areas in the state:
·
Aguata
·
Awka North
·
Awka South
·
Anambra East
·
Anambra West
·
Anaocha
·
Ayamelum
·
Dunukofia
·
Ekwusigo
·
Idemili North
·
Idemili South
·
Ihiala
·
Njikoka
·
Nnewi North
·
Nnewi South
·
Ogbaru
·
Onitsha North
·
Onitsha South
·
Orumba North
·
Orumba South
·
Oyi
Article by
Dongai for
Kpakpando TV
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