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Aba Aba Ngwa Enyimba City | |
---|---|
City | |
Nickname: Enyimba | |
Coordinates: 5°07′N7°22′E / 5.117°N 7.367°E | |
Country | Nigeria |
State | Abia |
LGA | Aba South, Aba North, Osisioma Ngwa, Obi Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East |
Government | |
• Governor | Alex Otti (LP) |
Area | |
• Total | 901 km2 (348 sq mi) |
Elevation | 205 m (673 ft) |
Population (2016 census) [1] | |
• Total | 2,534,265 |
• Density | 2,800/km2 (7,300/sq mi) |
• Metro density | 1,474/km2 (3,820/sq mi) |
• Ethnicity | Igbo others |
• Ethnicity density | 7,000/km2 (20,000/sq mi) |
• Religion | Omenala Christianity |
GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar) | |
• Year | 2023 |
• Total | $13.4 billion [2] |
• Per capita | $11,300 |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Postcode | |
Area code | 082 |
National language | Igbo |
Website | http://www.abiastateonline.com/ |
Aba is a city in southeastern Nigeria and the commercial centre of Abia State. Upon the creation of Abia State in 1991, the old Aba township was divided into two local government areas, being Aba South and Aba North, while the suburban neighborhood of what was then known as Obioma Ngwa L.G.A. was divided into three L.G.A.s (namely Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa and Ugwunagbo) for administrative convenience. Aba South is the main city centre of Aba and Abia State at large, being located on the Aba River. Aba is made up of many villages such as Aba-Ukwu, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba, Umuokpoji-Aba and other villages that have been merged for administrative convenience. Aba was established by the Ngwa clan of the Igbo people in Nigeria as a market town. Later, a military post was placed there by the British colonial administration in 1901. [3] It lies along the west bank of the Aba River and is at the intersection of roads leading to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, and Ikot-Abasi. [4] The city became a collection point for agricultural products following construction of a British-made railway running through it to Port Harcourt. Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial centre in its region, which is surrounded by small villages and towns. The indigenous people of Aba are the Ngwa. Aba is well known for its craftsmen and is the most populous city in southeastern Nigeria. As of 2016 [update] , Aba had an estimated population of 2,534,265, making it the biggest city in South Eastern Nigeria. [1]
Aba, although acting as unified city, is composed of many villages, including Aba-Ukwu, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba and Umuokpoji-Aba. Aba-Ukwu has historically been the primary village in Aba, as the Eze W.E Ukaegbu of Aba-Ukwu was known and referred to as the 9th Grand Son of Aba. However, the greater Aba metropolis as defined by the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) comprises seven local government areas, namely Aba South, Aba North, Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West. There are ongoing construction projects in Enyimba Economic Area and Abia State Industrial Innovation Park in Ukwa East and West local government areas to overcome the challenges of unplanned urban sprawl facing the city.[ citation needed ]
The city was initially a trade centre which eventually became an administrative centre of Britain's colonial government. Aba has been a major commercial centre ever since it became part of British Nigeria.[ citation needed ]
The Aro Expedition, which was part of a larger military plan to quell anti-colonial sentiment in the region, took place in the area of Aba during 1901 and 1902. During this military action, the British defeated the native Aro people with a presumably large number of casualties. [5] In 1901, the British founded a military post in Aba and in 1915, a railroad was constructed to link it to Port Harcourt, which transported agricultural goods such as palm oil and palm kernels. [4] In 1929, Aba was the site of a revolt by Igbo women, historically known as "The Aba Women's Riot", [nb 1] which was a protest against the colonial taxation policy. [7] The riot started out as a peaceful protest against the initial census of women in the region, and subsequent assumed taxation of the women based upon rumour. The protests spread throughout the region, but remained peaceful until a pregnant woman was knocked over during a "scuffle", and the lady losing her child. [8] News of this "act of abomination" spread rapidly, and violent reactions ensued. After more protests, a mass of 10,000 women marched on Aba. Sources dispute the casualty rate, with 55 [6] to over 100 deaths being reported. [8] By the 1930s, Aba was becoming a large urban community with an established industrial complex.
During the height of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, the capital of Biafra was moved to Umuahia from Enugu. Aba was a very strategic Biafran city and was heavily bombed and air raided during the civil war. [9]
Aba is the home of many distinguished families such as the Emejiaka Egbu family of Aba la Ohazu, the Ogbonna family of Eziukwu-Aba, the Ichita family of Umuokpoji-Aba, the Omenihu family of Obuda-Aba, the Ugbor family of Aba-Ukwu, the Ugwuzor family Umuokpoji Aba, the Ihemadu family of Ohabiam, the Ukaegbu family of Aba-ukwu, the Ahunanya family of Ohabiam, among others.[ citation needed ]
Aba is surrounded by oil wells, which separate it from the city of Port Harcourt. A 30 kilometres (19 mi) long pipeline provides Aba with gas from the Imo River natural gas repository. [4] Its major economic contributions are textiles and palm oil, [3] along with pharmaceuticals, plastics, cement, and cosmetics. This trade makes the Ariaria International Market the second largest market in Nigeria after the Onitsha Main Market. There is also a Heineken N.V., a glass-working company [3] and brewery within the city. Aba is famous for its handicrafting. [4]
Aba is a commercial hub of eastern Nigeria. [10] [11] There are a few well known markets, such as Ariaria International Market, Ahia Ohuru Market, and Eziukwu Road Market, among others, that serve the entire region with wares, food, cosmetics, and other material goods.
The city has played a lasting role in the Christian evangelism of Southeast Nigeria ever since the British brought over the Church Mission Society (CMS), an evangelism vehicle of the Church of England used to plant what today has become the Anglican Church of Nigeria. The evangelist church known as All the Saints originated out of the initiative of three oil traders: Opopo-Joseph Cookey, Gabrial Cookey and Zedekiah Cookey. These men sailed up the Aba River in 1896 for trade and to spread Christianity. In 1897, they negotiated with Abayi and Umuocham people for land to establish their oil business; these negotiations were successful. As their oil trade began to grow, so too did Christianity in Nigeria, and the Cookeys ended up converting the Abayi and Umuocham people to Christianity. From 1901 and especially in 1902, they planned an intensive crusade and invited their landlords. This led to the construction of two congregational churches; one at the Abayi waterfront, and the other at the Umuocham waterfront, dedicated by James Johnson. The earliest converts from the Abayi and Umuocham tribes attended church services at St. Ambrose on the Abayi waterfront until 1905, when they set up their own churches further inland. Joseph Cookey was the volunteer teacher for the Abayi, whereas Gabriel Cookey was the volunteer teacher for the Umuocham.[ citation needed ]
St. Michael's Cathedral Anglican Church was founded in the late 1920s, although St. James Parish on the Umuleri city limit is arguably the oldest church in the region due to the fact that the diocese's first mass was celebrated in 1916. [12] Most of the primary and secondary schools mentioned below were founded by the CMS along with their associated churches.
Early missionaries who arrived in Nigeria in 1842 established what is now known as the Methodist Church of Nigeria in Badagry. Methodism quickly spread to Uzuakoli and down to Aba. Wesley Cathedral was the first cathedral to be built in Aba. It became a diocese and later an archdiocese which hosted the 2018 Methodist Conference. The Methodist Church is one of the most spiritually vibrant churches in the city of Aba. [13]
The Catholic Church also created many churches; Christ the King Church (C.K.C), which for a long time was the biggest church in the city, became its bishop's seat, and it is now known as Christ the King Cathedral.[ citation needed ]
With the arrival of the Pentecostal brand of Christianity in Nigeria, the city got an enormous share for itself. The Assemblies of God Church and Deeper Christian Life Ministry had massive followings in the early 1980s, followed by the Refiner's House International Church, one of the newest and fastest-growing Christian ministries in the city. [14] The African Gospel Church was founded by Bishop Ogudoro.[ citation needed ] This church is divided into 10 districts. The current bishop of the African Gospel Church is Rev. Dr. Robert Lang'at. [15]
In the late 1960s, a group of Nigerians discovered information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and established branches, but this Utah-based church did not establish any official presence in Nigeria until 1978. [16] The first stake of this church in Nigeria (and in fact in all of Africa outside of South Africa) was established in Aba in 1988, with David W. Eka as president. There are presently four LDS stakes headquartered in Aba and the only LDS temple in Nigeria is located in the city, being the Aba Nigeria Temple. There are three other temples announced for Lagos, Benin City, and Eket.[ citation needed ]
Mosques are also present in Aba; the largest mosque is the Hospital Road Mosque. A Chief Imam resides in the Hausa-speaking settlements at the heart of the city.
Below are some schools in Aba.
The tertiary schools are:
Aba is served by a station on Nigerian Railways, but this station is rarely used. Aba is also a major hub for road transport in the region—a large number of transport companies operate coaches that transport people daily to various parts of the country. The city is second only to Onitsha in mass transportation daily volume within eastern Nigeria. Commercial motorcycles have been banned in the region and are being replaced by commercial tricycles and a minibus service. This minibus service is a popular mean of transportation nowadays.[ citation needed ]
In 2012, a monorail system was proposed for the city.[ citation needed ] The plan was criticised as a potential scam, as the private company involved in the project had no experience in developing monorails. [17] As of 2021, there is no information that the proposal progressed past the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
Enyimba F.C., popularly called The Peoples Elephant, is the city's most popular association football club. Enyimba F.C.'s winning record is among the highest of all Nigerian football clubs. With two CAF Champions League trophies, six Nigeria Premier League titles and a pair of Nigerian Federation Cup trophies, the club is currently ranked second in the CAF Club rankings. [18] [19] [20]
There are many problems with waste management in Aba, stemming from the lack of a regular garbage disposal, which means that trash piles up in the streets from the many markets that dot the city. The federal and state governments of the area have tried to solve these waste management problems, but these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.[ citation needed ]
Aba is powered by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which was created by the division of the Nigerian Electricity Power Authority. There is another electrical company that is planning to start supplying Aba with electricity, being the Geometric Power Company. If it starts powering Aba, the daily hours of available electricity in the city will rise, and the electric generator will become a household item. For some places in Aba, an electric generator will be the only source of electricity due to remoteness or other factors. [21] [ better source needed ]
Aba has a mainly tropical climate. Most months of the year see significant rainfall, and the brief dry season has little impact. The weather in the region is classified as Am in the Köppen climate classification system. Aba's yearly mean temperature is 25.6 °C (78.1 °F). The annual precipitation of the city clocks in to about 2,747 millimetres (108.1 in).
Due to Aba's proximity to the equator, the city is in a summer-like state most of the year. January, February, March, April, May, November, and December are the ideal months to travel. [22] [23] [24]
Abia State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, it is bordered to the northwest by Anambra State and northeast by the states of Enugu, and Ebonyi, Imo State to the west, Cross River State to the east, Akwa Ibom State to the southeast, and Rivers State to the south. Abia is the only Southeastern state that has boundaries with the other four Southeastern states in Nigeria. It takes its name from the acronym for four of the state's most populated regions: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo. The state capital is Umuahia while the largest city and commercial centre is Aba.
Owerri is the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state's largest city, followed by Orlu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema. Owerri consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West, it has an estimated population of 1,401,873 as of 2016 and is approximately 100 square kilometres (40 sq mi) in area. Owerri is bordered by the Otamiri River to the east and the Nworie River to the south. The Owerri Slogan is Heartland. It is also called the Las Vegas of Africa, due to the night life of the city and the numerous hotels, casino and leisure parks all over the city.
The Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Abia comprises three Senators representing Abia Central, Abia South, and Abia North, and eight Representatives representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South, Bende, Isuikwato/Umunneochi, Arochukwu/Ohafia, Aba North/Aba South, Ukwa East/Ukwa West, Isiala Ngwa North/South and Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugbunagbo.
Aba North is a Local Government Area in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. In the year (1991) Aba North local government was created. The headquarters is at Eziama Uratta. It is amongst the local governments that make up Abia South senatorial zone. Aba North is in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The Igbo ethnic group is predominant in the area. The people of the area are mostly Christians and traditional worshippers with Igbo and English as the commonly spoken languages. Aba North, an integral part of Ngwaland, consists of indigenes and migrants from other parts of the state who reside in Aba for entrepreneurial and other purposes.
Aba South is a Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the city of Aba.
Ikwuano is a Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in Isiala Oboro. The name 'Ikwuano' etymologically indicates that there are four different ancient kingdoms that make up the community called Ikwuano. These include Oboro, Ibere, Ariam/Usaka and Oloko.
Obingwa is a Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Mgboko.
Osisioma Ngwa is a Local Government Area of Abia state of Nigeria. Its headquarters are located in Osisioma town.
Ukwa West is a Local Government Area in Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Oke Ikpe.
The Ngwa people are an Igbo group living in the southern part of Igboland. The Ngwa people are found predominantly in Abia State with a population of 314,840 in 1963. They cover 1,328 square kilometres (513 sq mi) and are the largest subgroup of Igbo people.
Blessing Okwuchi Nwagba is a Nigerian politician. She is currently serving as a member of the Abia State House of Assembly as the committee chairman on women affairs, social welfare and health representing Aba North Constituency. She is a sociologist by profession and former director of Belzy Pharmaceuticals, Belzy Farms, Belzy Fashion and Fulfillment International Academy and College.
Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme was a Nigerian businessman from Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria. He was the founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Tonimas Nigeria Limited, a local manufacturing and trading company. He was a Papal Knights of St. Gregory recipient, and member of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI). He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the APGA political party in Nigeria.
Nathan Chinenye Okechukwu Kanu is an Anglican bishop in Nigeria. He is the current Bishop of Aba Ngwa North, one of nine within the Anglican Province of Aba, itself one of 14 provinces within the Church of Nigeria.
Abayi Okoroato is a city in Obingwa local government area of Abia State, Nigeria.
Omoba is the Local Government Headquarters of Isiala Ngwa South, Abia State, Nigeria.
Ngwa High School is a secondary school for boys in Aba. It located in Abayi, a town in Osisioma Ngwa.
Ohanze is a city in Obingwa local government area of Abia State. It served as a major commercial center during slave trade era in Nigeria.
Oboro is the largest of four clans in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It is bounded to the north by Ibeku and Bende clans, west by the Olokoro and Ngwa, east by Ibere and south by the Isuogu. Oboro was classified in the Ohuhu-Ngwa cluster of the Southern Igbo area by British anthropologists Forde and Jones. It is also one of 18 Igbo clans in the Old Bende Division of the defunct Owerri Province. The Oboro speak a common language with the other 17 clans of the Bende Division though dialectal variations exist. These clans share a history of inter-ethnic relations.
The 2023 Nigerian presidential election in Abia State will be held on 25 February 2023 as part of the nationwide 2023 Nigerian presidential election to elect the president and vice president of Nigeria. Other federal elections, including elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate, will also be held on the same date while state elections will be held two weeks afterward on 11 March.
Ntighuzo Amairi is a community in Obingwa local government area of Abia State. It is one of the communities that make up the Eastern Ngwa region. They speak the Ngwa dialect of the Ngwa people.