Anambra State is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is "Light Of The Nation". Boundaries are formed 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 origin of the name is derived from the Anambra River (Omambala) which is a tributary of the famous River Niger.
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.
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| Anambra State | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Capital | Awka |
| Government | |
| • Governor[1] | Willie Obiano (APGA) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,844 km2 (1,870 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 35 of 36 |
| Population (2006 census)1 | |
| • Total | 4,055,048 |
| • Rank | 10 of 36 |
| • Density | 840/km2 (2,200/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2007 |
| • Total | $11.83 billion[2] |
| • Per capita | $1,615[2] |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+01) |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-AN |
| Website | anambrastate.gov.ng |
Natural 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.[4] 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 capacity of 55,000 barrels per day (~7,500 t/d).
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.[5] 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
Ogbunike Caves, listed by UNESCO[6] 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).[7] 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.
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
- Ijele Masquerade- listed in UNESCO Archives as Intangible cultural element[9] Ijele dance festival is home to the 'Olus' of the Omambala area: Anaku, Omor, Nsugbe, Aguleri, Umuleri, Awkuzu, Nteje, Ogbunike, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Umunya, etc.
- Achukwu Masqurade of Ekwulobia.
- Ekwulobia New Yam Festival.
- Omaba Yearly New-Yam Festival.
- Aguluzigbo New-Yam Festival
- Nnobi Afia oru festival
- Ozubulu New-yam festival
- Ozoebunu masquerade of Ozubulu
- Okija New-Yam Festival
- Mmanwu Okija Masquerade Dance
- Ihiala New -Yam Festival
- Mmanwu Ihiala Masquerade Dance
- 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, Anaku 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./
- Obo Ofor Festival in Uga, Aguata
- Nkwor Festival in Uga Aguata
Education
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
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:
- Abanna Secondary School, Abatete
- Abbot Girls’ Secondary School, Ihiala
- Abbot Boys’ Secondary School, Ihiala
- Ado Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha
- Aguata High School, Aguata
- Akunne Oniah Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha
- Akoboezem Community Secondary School, Uruagu, Nnewi
- Awada Secondary School, Awada
- Anerobi International College, Amansea
- All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha
- All Saints Secondary School, Umunze
- Amikwe Community Secondary School, Omor
- Anam High School, Oroma Etiti
- Anglican Girls' Secondary School, Nnewi
- Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Ogidi
- Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha
- Army Day Secondary School, Onitsha
- Ave Maria Secondary School, Nnokwa
- Awgbu Grammar School, Awgbu
- Awo-Ezimuzo Community Secondary School, Ezinifite
- Bishop Crowther Junior Seminary, Awka
- Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School, Adazi Nnukwu
- Boys' Grammar School, Agulu
- Boys’ High School, Osumenyi
- Boys’ Secondary School, Unubi
- Boys’ Secondary School, Uga
- Boys’ High School, Nteje
- Boys’ Secondary School, Ojoto
- Boys’ Secondary School, Ogidi
- Boys’ Secondary School, Oraifite
- Boys High School, Nri
- Boys High School, Ogbunike
- Boys High School, Umuoji
- Boys Secondary School, Igbo-Ukwu
- Busy Secondary School, Nimo
- Capital City Secondary School, Awka
- City Comprehensive College, Ogidi
- Community Secondary School, Umuokpu
- Cave City Secondary School, Ogbunike
- Christ the King College Onitsha, est. 1933
- Christ the King Seminary Nnobi;[10]
- Community Girls' Secondary School, Agulu
- Community Secondary School, Umueje
- Community High School, Akwaeze
- Community High School, Umuoma-Uli
- Community Secondary School, Ogwuaniocha
- Community Secondary School, Abba
- Community Secondary School, Adazi
- Community Secondary School, Agulu
- Community Secondary School, Obeledu
- Community Secondary School, Ichida
- Community Secondary School, Aguluzigbo
- Comprehensive Secondary School, Onitsha
- Community Boys’ Secondary School, Okpoko
- Community Girls’ Secondary School, Okpoko
- Community Secondary School, Atani
- Community Secondary School, Odekpe
- Community Secondary School, Ifite Umuleri
- Community High School, Igbariam
- Community Secondary school, Ichida
- Community Secondary School, Utuh [Utuh Tech]
- Community Secondary School, Nando
- Community High School, Nsugbe
- Community Secondary School, Umuoba-Anam
- Community Secondary School, Igbedor
- Col. Mike Attah Secondary School, Aguleri
- Christ The King College, Umuem-Anam
- Community Secondary School, Anam Mmiata
- Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Nzam
- Community Secondary School, Akwaihedi
- Community Secondary School, Osumenyi
- Community Secondary School, Ukpor
- Community Secondary School, Amichi
- Community Secondary School, Azigbo
- Community Secondary School, Ebeneator
- Community Secondary School, Ekwulumili
- Community High School, Ezinifite
- Community Secondary School, Amansea
- Community Secondary School, Isuanaocha
- Community Secondary School, Ebenebe
- Community Secondary School, Mgbakwu
- Community Secondary School, Achalla
- Community Secondary School, Amanuke
- Community Secondary School, Urum
- Community Secondary School, Awba Ofemili
- Community Secondary School, Omogbo
- Community Secondary School, Awa
- Community Secondary School, Awkuzu
- Community Secondary School, Ichi
- Community Secondary School, Isiagu
- Community Secondary School, Nawfia
- Community Secondary School, Agulu-Awka
- Community Secondary School, Amawbia
- Community Secondary School, Mbaukwu
- Community Secondary School, Okpuno
- Community Secondary School, Isseke
- Community Secondary School, Lilu
- Community Secondary School, Mbosi
- Community High School, Amorka
- Community Secondary School, Azia
- Community Secondary School, Eziowelle
- Community Secondary School, Ideani
- Community Secondary School, Nawgu
- Community Secondary School, Nkpologwu
- Community Secondary School, Oraeri
- Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu
- Community Secondary School, Akpo
- Christ The Redeemer College, Amesi
- Community Secondary School, Igboukwu
- Community Secondary School, (BSS) Ezinifite
- Community Secondary School, Nnobi
- Community Sec. School, Nnokwa
- Community Secondary School, Umunya
- Community High School, Nkwelle-Ezunaka
- Command Children School, Onitsha
- Community Secondary School, Obosi
- Community Secondary School, Oraukwu
- Community Secondary School, Uke
- Community Secondary School, Umuoji
- Community Secondary School, Omor
- Community Secondary School, Umumbo
- Community Secondary School, Igbakwu
- Community Secondary School, Ifite-Ogwari
- Community Secondary School, Orsumoghu
- Community Secondary School, Ufuma
- Community Secondary School, Enugwuabor Ufuma
- Community Secondary School, Awgbu
- Community High School, Awgbu
- Community Secondary School, Ajali
- Community Secondary School, Owere Ezukala
- Community High School, Ogboji
- Community High School, Nanka
- Community Secondary School, Nanka
- Community Secondary School, Umuleri
- Community Secondary School, Oko
- Community Secondary School, Ndikelionwu
- Community Secondary School, Ndiowu
- Community Secondary School, Ihite
- Community High School, Nawfija
- Community High School, Umunze
- Community Secondary School, Nnewichi, Nnewi
- Community Secondary School, Uga
- Community Secondary School, Umuchu
- Community Secondary School, Isuofia
- Community Secondary School, Ukpo
- Community Secondary School, Ukwulu
- Community Secondary School, Umueze-Anam
- Community Secondary School, Ozubulu
- Community Secondary School, Ihembosi
- Community Secondary School, Umunachi
- Day Star Secondary School, Ogidi
- De Apex Comprehensive Academy, Ogbunike
- Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha est. 1925
- Don Bosco Secondary School, Onitsha
- Eastern Academy, Onitsha
- El-Shaddai School of Vocational Studies, Onitsha; est. 1993[11]
- Emeka Aghasili High School, Nise
- Ezike High School, Nibo
- Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School, Awka
- Ezinifite High School, (GSS) Ezinifite
- Father Joseph Memorial High School, Enugu-Otu, Aguleri
- Favour of Grace International School, Ebenebe
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha
- Flora A.M.C.S.S. Neni
- Girls High School, Agulu
- Girls Secondary School, Abagana
- Girls Secondary School, Adazi-Nnukwu
- Girls Secondary School, Awka
- Girls Secondary School, Enugwu Agidi
- Girls’ Secondary School, Nnobi
- Girls’ Secondary School, Nteje
- Girls Secondary School, Ogidi
- Girls Secondary School, Nimo
- Girls Secondary School, Umudioka
- Girls’ High School, Umuleri
- Girls’ Secondary School, Achina
- Girls’ Secondary School, Alor
- Girls’ Secondary School, Awka-Etiti
- Girls’ Secondary School, Igboukwu
- Girls’ High School, Uga
- Girls' High School, Nnokwa
- Girls’ Secondary School, Oba
- Girls’ Secondary School, Ogbunka
- Girls’ Secondary School, Ojoto
- Girls’ Secondary School, Uli
- Girls’ Secondary School, Oraifite
- Girls Secondary School, Ozubulu
- Girls’ Secondary School, Nnewi
- Girls High School, Utuh
- Girls' Secondary School, Achina est. 1977
- Girls' Secondary school, Ekwulobia
- Girls' Secondary School, Ezinifite
- Girls' Secondary School, Obosi
- Girls' Secondary School, Umuchu
- Good News College, Nkpor
- Government Technical College Umunze
- Government Technical College, Enugwu Agidi
- Government Technical College, Ihiala
- Government Technical College, Nkpor
- Government Technical College, Onitsha
- Government Technical College, Osomala
- Government Technical College, Umuchu
- Government Technical College, Umuleri
- Government Technical College, Utuh
- Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba
- Grammar School, Agulu
- Holy Cross High School, Umuawulu Mbaukwu
- Holy Spirit Secondary School, Ebenebe
- Holy Child Convent, Amichi
- Holy Child Secondary School, Isuofia
- Holy Innocents Juniorate Convent, Nkpor
- Holy Name Secondary School, Umuchu
- Ideal Minds Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkpor
- Ide Girls’ Secondary School, Enugwu Ukwu
- Ideke Grammar Secondary School, Ideke
- Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka
- Inland Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha
- John Science & Technical College, Alor
- John Secondary School, Akwu-Ukwu
- Josephine Odua Memoorial Secondary School, Akili-Ozizor
- Justice Chinwuba Memorial Grammar School, Aguleri
- Kenneth Dike Memorial Secondary School, Awka
- Kezz Foundation School, Onitsha
- Krosa Model Schools, Amawbia
- Loretto Secondary School, Adazi
- Lake City Secondary School, Nri
- Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nnewi
- Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji
- Merchant Of Light Secondary School, Oba
- Metropolitan College, Onitsha (Formally Metropolitan Secondary School)
- Metu Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha
- Modebe Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha
- Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkwelle-Ezunaka
- Madonna Secondary School, Umuleri
- Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje
- Mater Dei Model School, Alor (Basic and Secondary)
- Mercy Girls Secondary School, Umuoji
- New Bethel Secondary School, Isulo
- New Era Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha
- New Era Secondary School, Nteje
- New Era Model Comprehensive Secondary School Nnewi
- Nigerian Science & Technical College, Nnewi
- Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana
- Nneamaka Girls’ Secondary School, Ifitedunu
- Nneoma Community Secondary School, Nibo
- Nnewi High School, Nnewi
- Notre Dame High School, Abatete
- Ogbaru High School, Ogbakuba
- Ogbe High School, Anaku
- Ojiako Memorial Grammar School, Adazi Ani
- Okija Grammar School, Okija
- Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi
- Oraukwu Grammar School, Oraukwu, est. Feb. 1959
- Okutalukwe Community Secondary School, Enugwu-Ukwu
- Onitsha High School Onitsha
- Oraukwu Grammar School, Oraukwu
- Our Lady’s High School, Onitsha
- Our Lady's Comprehensive Secondary, Nkpor
- Our Lady’s Secondary School, Nnobi
- Patterson Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha
- Pioneer Secondary School, (GSS) Umuchu
- Premier Secondary School, Ogbunka
- Premier Secondary School, Unubi
- Prince Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha
- Progressive Secondary School, Umunya
- Queen Of The Rosary College, Onitsha
- Queen’s Comprehensive College, Ogidi
- Regal Secondary School, Nri
- Riverside Secondary School, Umerum
- Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Onitsha
- Signs & Wonders Secondary School, Ebenebe
- Special Secondary School, Odoakpu, Onitsha (Deaf And Dumb)
- Springfield Academy, Onitsha
- St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia
- St. Charles College, Onitsha
- St. Charles Special Science School, Onitsha
- St. John Of God Secondary School, Awka
- St. Joseph’s High School, Awka-Etiti
- St Christopher's Junior Seminary 3-3, Onitsha
- St. Jude’s Secondary School, Ihiala
- St. Mary’s High School, Ifitedunu
- St. Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo
- St. Dominic Savior Seminary, Akpu
- St. John's Secondary School, Alor, est. 1958
- St. Joseph Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogidi
- St. Joseph Girls Secondary School, Nimo
- St. Peter's Special Science School, Achina
- St. Monica's College, Ogbunike, est, 1894
- Star Light Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogidi
- St. Peter’s Secondary School, Achina
- Tansi International Secondary School, Akpu
- Udama Community Secondary School, Inoma-Akator
- Uli High School, Uli
- Umuchu High School, Umuchu
- Union Secondary School, (BSS) Amichi
- Union Secondary School, Agulu
- Union Secondary School, Amawbia
- Union Secondary School, Ichi (Gss)
- Union Secondary School, Okija
- Union Secondary School, Owere Ezukala
- Union Secondary School, Ukpor
- Union Secondary School, Umuawulu
- Union Secondary School, Umuomaku
- Unity Comprehensive Girls’ High School, Okpoko
- Unity Secondary School, Awkuzu
- Unity Secondary School, Nnokwa
- Unity Secondary School, Obosi
- Universal Secondary School, Omasi
- Urban Boys’ Secondary School, Onitsha
- Urban Girls’ Secondary School, Ekwulobia
- Urban Boys' Secondary School, Onitsha, est. 1992
- Urban Secondary School, Nkpor
- Utu High School, Utuh
- Victory High School, Ezira
- Walter Eze Memorial Secondary School, Ukpo
- Washington Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha
- Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi
- Women Educational Centre, Nnewi
- Women Educational Centre, Awkuzu
- Zixton Secondary School, Ozubulu and many more.
Politics
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.[12] 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.[13] On February 9, 2007 Mrs. Etiaba handed power back to Obi after the Court of Appeal had nullified Obi's removal.[14]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.[15]
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. Presently, Chief Willie Maduabuchukwu Obiano was sworn in on the 17th of March, 2014 as the new governor after the expiration of the Peter Obi second term, having won the November 16th, 2013 election.
Cities and administrative divisions
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: Abagana, Abba, Abacha, Abatete, Achalla, Achina, Adazi Ani, Adazi-Enu, Adazi-Nnukwu, Agukwu, Aguleri, Agulu, Aguluezechukwu, Aguluzigbo, Ajalli, Akpo, Akpu, Akwaeze, Akwaukwu, Alor, Amaetiti, Amansea, Amanuke, Amaokpala, Amawbia, Amesi, Amichi, Amorka, Anaku, Anaku, Atani, Awa, Awba-Ofemili, Awgbu, Awka-Etiti, Awkuzu, Azia, Azigbo, Ebenator, Ebenebe, Ekwulobia, Ekwulumili, Enugwu-Agidi, Enugwu Aguleri, Enugwu Ukwu, Ezinifite, Ezinihite, Eziowelle, Ezira, Ichi, Ichida, Ideani, Ifitedunu, Ifite-Ogwari, Igbakwu, Igbariam, Igbo-Ukwu, Ihembosi, Ihiala, Ikenga, Iseke, Isuaniocha, Isulo, Isuofia, Lilu, Mbosi, Mgbakwu, Mmiata Anam, Nando, Nanka, Nawfia, Nawfija, Nawgu, Ndikelionwu, Ndi-okpaleke, Ndiukwuenu, Nibo, Nimo, Nise, Nkpologwu, Nkpor, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Nneni, Nnobi, Nnokwa, Nnokwa, Nsugbe, Nteje, Oba, Obeledu, Obosi, Ogbunike, Ogbunka, Ogidi, Ojoto, Okija, Oko, Okpeze, Omasi, Omogho, Omor, Ora-Eri, Oraifite, Oraukwu, Orsumoghu, Osumenyi, Owellezukala, Ozubulu, Ubuluisiuzor, Ufuma, Uga, Ugbenne, Ugbenu, Uke, Ukpo, Ukpor, Uli, Umuanaga, Umuawulu, Umuchu, Umudioka, Umueje, Umuerum, Umueze Anam, Umuleri, Umumbo, Umunachi, Umunya, Umunze, Umuoji, Umuomaku, Unubi, Utuh and so on.
Anambra State LGA Map
- 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
Urbanization and structural planning
Over the last two decades the rural/urban exodus has caused a shift making Anambra a highly urbanized state with 62% of its population living in urban areas.Faced with decades of neglect and bad governance, the shift in human migration has posed problems to available infrastructural provision, environmental sanitation, erosion control and other social services. As a result, major cities have become characterized by inadequate and deteriorated road networks, walkways, unregulated building patterns, sanitation, uncontrolled street trading, mountains of garbage, and chaotic transport systems, creating congestion, noise pollution and overcrowding.
To address this situation, the government of Peter Obi with the assistance of the UN-HABITAT produced 20-year structural plans (2009–2028) for three major cities in the State, Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka Capital Territory to restore urban planning and guide their growth into the future.
The plans contain policies and proposals for land use, city beautification, road infrastructure, industrial development, housing, waste disposal, water supply and health and educational facilities to turn the cities into Anambra into successful urban areas to generate employment, wealth and provide high living standards for its residents.[16]
Anambra became the first state in Nigeria to adopt Structural Plans for its cities and with effective implementation should systematically grow as a major economic center in Nigeria and West Africa.
The process of urbanization is fairly contributed by population growth, immigration, migration, and infrastructure initiatives like good road, water, power, and gardens, resulting in the growth of villages into towns, town into cities and cities into metros. However, in such a phenomenon for ecological feasible development, planning requires an understanding of the growth dynamics, if not people will continue moving from our villages in search of greener pasture living only the aged men and women to farm, this is noticeable in Amesi, Akpo, and Achina towns in Aguata local government area. They major in the production of yam, Cocoyam and cassava through consistent agriculture. These agricultural activities have in recent time suffered a setback due to massive out-migration of their youths to the urban centres, thereby resulting in food scarcity and over population in urban environment.
Notable people
Chinua Achebe
- Nnamdi Azikiwe Owelle of Onitsha - the first President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and historically, the only man whose name appeared in the Constitution of his country (Nigeria's Republican Constitution of 1963).
- Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, hails from Okoh town, is a frontline Politician, Architect and the first executive Vice-President of Nigeria, serving 1979 – 1983.
- Nwafor Orizu - the first Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Dim Emeka Ojukwu - the leader of the secessionist Biafra Republic;
- Professor Chinua Achebe - a native of Ogidi and best known for the classic, Things Fall Apart was the first African writer whose books are standard curricula in schools and universities across the world.
- Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (born in Aguleri, Anambra State, in September 1903 – died in Leicester, England, January 24, 1964) was an Igbo from Aguleri in Anambra East. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria on December 19, 1937. He worked in the parishes of Nnewi, Dunukofia, Akpu/Ajalli and Aguleri and was later a Cistercian monk at Mount Saint Bernard Monastery in England. Pope John Paul II beatified him on March 22, 1998, saying "Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi is a prime example of the fruits of holiness which have grown and matured in the Church in Nigeria since the Gospel was first preached in this land."
- Emeka Anyaoku - the first black Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and recipient of South Africa's Order of the Companions of Oliver Reginald Tambo for his role in initiating talks between the apartheid state and the African National Congress (ANC);
- Professor Uche Okeke - a native of Nimo and one of the foremost Nigerian fine artists, founder of the Uli movement.
- Lieutenant-General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, appointed in 2008 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon as Military Advisor on UN Peacekeeping Operations. Previously served as Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Artillery Brigade in Liberia in 1996 and 1997, and as ECOMOG Chief Coordinator of the Liberian elections in July 1997.[17]
- Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu. A Professor of Political Science. Former NEC Chairman. Conducted the freest, fairest and most credible election so far in Nigeria.
- Chinyelu Onwurah, a British Labour Party politician, who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central, becoming the first female British MP of African origin.
- Chuka Umunna, a British Labour Party Member of Parliament for Streatham constituency.
- Professor Kenneth Dike - a pre-eminent scholar of African History and native of Awka, was the first indigenous Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and founder of the National Archives.
- Professor Ben Enwonwu - a native of Onitsha was the first Nigerian sculptor of international repute with artwork gracing the United Nations headquarters.[18]
- Pius Okigbo, CON[19] - a world renowned economist, was the first economic advisor to the Federal government of Nigeria (1960–1962), first Nigerian Ambassador to the European Community and renowned for bringing to light over $12 billion missing in oil windfall receipts from the Central Bank of Nigeria during the first Gulf War.
- Professor Samuel Okoye - was black Africa's first PhD in Radio Astronomy who along with Antony Hewish of the University of Cambridge discovered the radio source of Crab Nebula neutron star.
- Chief Jerome Udoji - from Ozubulu,[20] a social reformer was the first African to be made a 'D.O' (District Officer) by the Colonial Administration.
Chimamanda Adichie
- Amobi Okoye - Youngest American football player to play for the NFL (2004), currently plays for the Houston Texans
- Chimamanda Adichie - writer who won the Orange Prize for Fiction (2007) and a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2008);
- Dora Akunyili - ex-head of NAFDAC and former (December 17, 2008 - December 15, 2010) Minister of Information won international awards for cleansing Nigeria of the scourge of fake drugs;
- Cardinal Francis Arinze, once considered a potential Pope
- P.N. Okeke-Ojiudu - a politician and Businessman and the first minister of agriculture in the Nigerian first republic.
- Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu - a native of Nnewi who was the first Nigerian millionaire and first president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange;
- Cyprian Ekwensi - MFR, a writer of international repute
- Philip Emeagwali - winner of the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize for Supercomputing;
- Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, the former Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) .
- Prof Chike Obi - a Mathematician famous for his work on non-differential equations won the 1985 ICTP Price[21] and developed a special solution for Fermat's Last Theorem;[22]
- Osita Osadebe - a popular Nigerian Highlife musician who also holds the Nigerian record for the highest selling album
- Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo - a famous economist who spearheaded Nigerian economic reform from 1999–2008 and was ex-head of the Central Bank of Nigeria;
- Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy MBE, a London-based visual artist. The first black artist to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II when commissioned to paint the official Golden Jubilee portrait.[23] She was chosen as one of the UK Women of the Year in 2002 and 2003, represented the UK at the Council of Europe and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of East Anglia. During 2006 her work was represented on the national postage stamps of six countries. In 2008 she addressed the Cambridge Union[24][25] Chukwuogo-Roy is a regular contributor to the BBC and other current affairs programmes. In 2009 she was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
