Asaba | |
---|---|
Nickname: Ani Mmili | |
Coordinates: 6°11′N6°44′E / 6.183°N 6.733°E | |
Country | Nigeria |
State | Delta State |
LGA | Oshimili South |
Government | |
• Asagba | Prof. Chike Edozien |
Area | |
• Total | 268 km2 (103 sq mi) |
Elevation | 55 m (180 ft) |
Population (2006 census) [1] | |
• Total | 149,603 |
• Estimate (2011) | 176,060 [2] |
• Density | 560/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 |
Climate | Aw |
Website | asaba |
Asaba [3] (Igbo: Ahaba) is the capital of Delta State, Nigeria. A rapidly growing city, it is located at the western bank of the Niger River, in the Oshimili South Local Government Area. [4] [5] [6] Asaba had a population of 149,603 as at the 2006 census, [1] and a fast growing metropolitan population of over half a million people. [7] [4]
In some respects, Asaba and neighboring Onitsha in Anambra form a continuous metropolitan area. The First and Second Niger bridges form the boundary between Delta and Anambra, the Niger’s relatively centralized location in this region recognizes it as the geopolitical border between Eastern and Western Nigeria.
In October 2023, Asaba joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and was named a UNESCO City of Film. [8]
Originally, Asaba consisted of nine Igbo quarters but due to internal strife, wars with other communities and slave trade that followed, these quarters were reduced to only 5. The Igbo quarters are:
The city of Asaba was once the colonial capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate. [9] It was founded in 1884. [10] Between 1886 and 1900, it hosted the Royal Niger Company, which the British authorities set up to stimulate trade and the exportation of goods to England. [9]
Owing to Asaba's influential history and geography, and current strategic political and economic influence in Nigeria, Asaba is generally known as the regional capital of the Anioma area and its peoples. [11] The clamor for creation of Anioma state has been going on for decades. [11] Today, the Asaba area is the ancestral homelands for various Anioma peoples.
Asaba is from the exclamation Ahabam, meaning "I have chosen well", a quote from the Nnebisi, the founding father of Asaba. [12] [4] [5]
The mean yearly temperature that is recorded in Asaba is about 26.8 °C | 80.2 °F. About 1331 mm | 52.4 inch of precipitation falls annually in asaba [13]
Asaba's climate change is causing a colder climate with a positive temperature trend, while horizontal trends indicate a decreasing trend. [14]
Asaba is situated on a terrace of the lower Niger River, overlooking the point where the Anambra River flows into it. Beyond the river banks, on the high plains which are far more extensive than the river basins, secondary forest vegetation flourishes. [5] Although the current city lies just north of a marshy floodplain, expansive swaths of undulating, hilly terrain rises west and east of the main city with heights of up to 200m above sea level. The historic Niger River is a trans-African link beginning from West Africa and down into the Atlantic Ocean. [4] Asaba forms a connector between western, eastern and northern Nigeria through the Niger River from the north and via the Asaba Niger Bridge, an east–west link and a Nigerian landmark. [4]
Asaba lies approximately 6 degrees north of the equator and about the same distance east of the meridian; about 160 kilometres (100 mi) north of where the River Niger flows into the Atlantic Ocean. [5] The greater Asaba metro occupies an area of about 300 square kilometers. while the area is noticeably drier than the southern areas, the city and the communities of Oshimili South in inclusion maintain an average tropical temperature of 32 °C during the dry season and an average fertile rainfall of 2,700 millimetres (106 in) during the rainy season.
Greater Asaba incorporates some of the other neighboring towns and communities such as Igbuzo, Okpanam, Anwai, Iyiba, Oko, Okwe and Ugbolu on the western section of the Niger River. Notable flora of the city and the surrounding area would be the Sapele tree.
A city with a storied past, Asaba culture is heavily influenced by the neighboring Igbo, Igala and Bini peoples. Asaba is culturally led by the revered Asagba of Asaba, to whom the leaders (individually referred to as the “Diokpa”) of each of the five settlement quarters report directly on matters affecting the community. [5] [4] The Asagba is assisted by the Iyasele of Asaba [Iyase] who is the customary Prime Minister as well as a council of chiefs and elders [Olinzele, Otu Ihaza, Oloto etc.]
Popular native greetings in Asaba are:
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.6 (90.7) | 34 (93) | 33.5 (92.3) | 32.6 (90.7) | 30.9 (87.6) | 29.5 (85.1) | 28.3 (82.9) | 28.2 (82.8) | 28.9 (84.0) | 30 (86) | 31.5 (88.7) | 32 (90) | 31.0 (87.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.1 (80.8) | 28.9 (84.0) | 29.1 (84.4) | 28.3 (82.9) | 27.4 (81.3) | 26.4 (79.5) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.9 (78.6) | 26.5 (79.7) | 27.1 (80.8) | 26.9 (80.4) | 27.1 (80.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.7 (69.3) | 22.5 (72.5) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.3 (73.9) | 22.6 (72.7) | 22.1 (71.8) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.7 (71.1) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.7 (71.1) | 20.6 (69.1) | 22.0 (71.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 11 (0.4) | 27.5 (1.08) | 94 (3.7) | 152.5 (6.00) | 222.2 (8.75) | 242.7 (9.56) | 296.5 (11.67) | 225.7 (8.89) | 321.9 (12.67) | 243.7 (9.59) | 52.1 (2.05) | 11.9 (0.47) | 1,901.7 (74.83) |
Average precipitation days | 1.4 | 2.4 | 5.7 | 8.6 | 12.5 | 14.9 | 17 | 16.5 | 18.4 | 13.1 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 114.8 |
Average relative humidity (%) (daily average) | 66.6 | 68.5 | 72.3 | 77.9 | 81.3 | 83.6 | 84.7 | 84.4 | 84.0 | 83.5 | 79.8 | 71.6 | 78.2 |
Average dew point °C (°F) | 20.3 (68.5) | 22.5 (72.5) | 23.6 (74.5) | 24.1 (75.4) | 23.9 (75.0) | 23.4 (74.1) | 22.8 (73.0) | 22.8 (73.0) | 23.0 (73.4) | 23.5 (74.3) | 23.3 (73.9) | 21.1 (70.0) | 22.9 (73.1) |
Mean daily daylight hours | 12.2 | 12.3 | 12.4 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 12.9 | 12.8 | 12.7 | 12.5 | 12.3 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.5 |
Percent possible sunshine | 47.4 | 47.7 | 43.5 | 45.8 | 44.5 | 36.8 | 27.2 | 25.8 | 29.4 | 41.4 | 54.5 | 54.4 | 41.5 |
Source: Weatherbase [15] |
In Asaba, the wet season is warm, oppressive, and overcast and the dry season is hot, muggy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 67°F to 89°F and is rarely below 60°F or above 92°F. Based on the beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Asaba for hot-weather activities is from late November to late January. [16] [17] [18]
The average hourly wind speed in Asaba experiences significant seasonal variation over the course of the year. The windier part of the year lasts for 3.9 months, from May 31 to September 27, with average wind speeds of more than 5.8 miles per hour. The windiest month of the year in Asaba is August, with an average hourly wind speed of 7.3 miles per hour. The calmer time of year lasts for 8.1 months, from September 27 to May 31. The calmest month of the year in Asaba is November, with an average hourly wind speed of 4.2 miles per hour. [19] [20]
In Asaba, the average percentage of the sky covered by clouds experiences significant seasonal variation over the course of the year. The clearer part of the year in Asaba begins around mid November and lasts for 3 months on average, ending around mid February. The clearest month of the year in Asaba is December, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 46% of the time. The cloudier part of the year begins around mid February as a result of the ITCZ system. and lasts for an average of 9 months, ending around mid November. The cloudiest month of the year in Asaba is May, during which on average the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 85% of the time. [21] Due to the Harmattan, the dry season is accompanied with a lot of dust which impedes visibility mid December-February.
Asaba experiences extreme seasonal variation in the perceived humidity. The more humid period of the year lasts during the duration of the rainy season, from March to October. This a result of the ITCZ system pushing on humid south western trade winds. The month with the lowest humid days in Asaba is January. [22]
Anioma people are the native residents of Asaba. However, the city also houses a number of other tribes like the neighboring Igbo People and people from other ethnic groups native to Delta State.
Since becoming the administrative capital of Delta State, Asaba has grown in population to over half a million people. Today, it maintains a cosmopolitan population representative of the diverse cultures in Delta State and across Nigeria. [4]
Asaba is an administrative area and seat of government established during the time of the Royal Niger Company (now UACN), and is the administrative capital of Delta state. Thus civil service leads the economy and economic activities of the city's inhabitants. The Nigerian government through the administration of Samuel Ogbemudia established the Asaba Textile Mills [23] and a power substation at Asaba. The city of Asaba hosts some pharmaceutical companies that manufacture medicines and there is also a steel mill within the city. Tourism also attracts revenue into the city, which has resulted to a booming hospitality business. In 2023, the Film Village was opened officially in hopes of boosting the already growing Nollywood entertainment industry in the city. The city is linked by the A232 to Benin city and South-West and Northern regions. Currently, the city is working on the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, linking it to the South-East and reducing commuting times between itself and neighboring towns in the west and across the Niger.
There are three major markets in Asaba: Ogbe-Ogonogo Market, Cable Point Market, Infant Jesus Market, Iyanga Market and Wazobia Commodity Market[ citation needed ]
The Stephen Keshi Stadium at Asaba, which had a face-lift to satisfy local fans, has hosted several international competitions and soccer events since it was upgraded by the administration of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and commissioned by Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo. [24] The stadium is the home of Delta Force FC.
The city of Asaba and neighboring cities are accessible by air through the Asaba International Airport located just outside of the main city on the A232. [25] [26]
Asaba International Airport was commissioned in 2011 by Delta State Government.
The A232 , more known as the Asaba-Benin Expressway is an important roadway which connects parts of eastern Nigeria with western Nigeria. The Ogwashi Uku-Ughelli road which has undergone extensive expansion also connects areas of Asaba with the Ndokwa country, Ughelli and the southern part of the state, while the Asaba-Ebu road historically connects the city with northern Nigeria. Construction has been undertaken south of Oko to build an expressway linking the city to the Second Niger Bridge which has already been completed. The bridge serves to reduce traffic congestion along the First Niger Bridge and the A232.
Asaba is served by water transportation available through the Niger River, which surrounds the easternmost stretches of the city. Until the commissioning of the First Niger bridge, the main transportation means across the Niger were ferry services were provided across to Onitsha via Cable point. The city is also planned to be serviced by the neighboring Onitsha port located south of the city.
Onitsha is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. A metropolitan city, Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education. It is one of the largest metropolitan area in Nigeria with a fast growing population. It hosts the Onitsha Main Market, the largest market in Africa in terms of geographical size and volume of goods. Onitsha and neighboring Asaba on the western bank of the Niger River form a continuous metropolitan area.
Delta State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the former Bendel State on August 27, 1991. Bordered on the north by Edo State, the east by Anambra and Rivers states, and that south by Bayelsa State while to the west is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline. The state was initially created with 12 local government areas in 1991 which was later extended to 19 and now has 25 local government areas. Asaba as its state capital located along the River Niger on the northeastern end of the state, while the state's economic center is Warri on the southwestern coastline.
Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The State's Capital is Awka, while the State’s Largest City is Onitsha which is regarded as one of the largest metropolis area in Africa.
Arochukwu Local Government Area, sometimes referred to as Arochuku or Aro Oke-Igbo, is the third largest local government area in Abia State in southeastern Nigeria and homeland of the Igbo subgroup, Aro people.
Yenagoa is a Local Government Area and capital city of Bayelsa State, Southern Nigeria. It is located at the Niger-Delta region of the country at coordinates 4°55′29″N6°15′51″E.
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Oguta Lake is a lean 'finger lake' formed by the damming of the lower Njaba River with alluvium. it is the largest natural lake in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria; within the equatorial rainforest region of Niger Delta. Oguta Lake's catchment area comprises the drainage area of the Njaba River and a part of the River Niger floodplain in the region south of Onitsha.
Anioma people are one of the Igbo subgroups in present day Delta State, Nigeria. They encompass the communities which span across the 9 northeastern Local Government Areas of Delta State. They occupy the Delta North Senatorial District, which consists of the Enuani, and Ukwuani/ Ndokwa and Ika geographical and linguistic zones of Delta State.
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Agaie is a Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Agaie on the A124 highway.
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Burutu is a Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria. It lies on the coast of the Niger Delta on two sides of the Forcados River, a channel of the River Niger, 30 kilometres upstream from the Bight of Benin. It has served as a link between river transport and the sea when the Royal Niger Company established a base there in the late 19th century. People living in this region are mostly of the Izon ethnicity.
Enuani is an Igbo dialect spoken in Nigeria by the Anioma people of Delta State, Onitsha, Obosi and Ogbaru in Anambra State, Mgbidi in Imo State, Ndoni in Rivers State and some parts of Ibaji in Delta state. Enuani is tonal like the rest of Anioma dialects and is particularly related to the standard Igbo pronunciation in many regards. The Enuani dialect is the dominant Anioma dialect in Delta State.
The River Niger Bridge or Onitsha Bridge is a bridge that connects the southeastern and western regions of Nigeria across the Niger River. The bridge, which was completed in 1965, is located in Onitsha, Anambra State, and links to Asaba, Delta State. The bridge has two lanes and a pedestrian walkway, and is often congested with traffic and informal traders. A second bridge, known as the Second Niger Bridge or the Second Onitsha Bridge, was inaugurated in 2023 to ease the pressure on the existing bridge and provide a more modern and durable structure.
Igalamela-Odolu is a Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria. It is bordered by the Niger River in the west and Enugu State in the east. Its headquarters are in the town of Ajaka in the north of the area at7°10′16″N6°49′35″E.
Agwara is a Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Agwara.
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Shinkafi is a Local Government Area in Zamfara State of Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Shinkafi an area of about 674mk2 and population of 135,649. It shares boundaries with Isa Local Government Area and Niger Republic from the north, Zurmi Local Government Area to the South and South-East, Maradun Local Government Area and Raba Local Government Area by the west. Distance from the State Capital, Gusau is approximately 116 km.
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