Enugu

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Location of Enugu in Nigeria

Enugu is the capital city of Enugu State, Nigeria. It has a population of about two million (2005 census estimate) living in the vast city and its suburbs. The people of Enugu belong largely to the Igbo ethnic group, which is one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria. The name Enugu comes from the two Igbo words enu Ugwu, or "top of the hill." The city's slogan is Perpetual Apex Pride.

1 History & Politics
2 Education and Communications
3 Economy
4 Transport
5 Agriculture
6 Health Care
7 Sources and External links

[edit] History & Politics

Enugu was originally the capital of the Eastern Region from Nigeria's independence in 1960 until May 30, 1967, when it was declared the first capital of the short-lived nation of the Republic of Biafra; on September 28, 1967, when Enugu was captured by Nigerian troops, the Biafran capital was moved to Umuahia.

After the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, the old Eastern Region was divided into a number of states and Enugu became the capital of Anambra State.

In 1991, the military dictatorship of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida divided the old Anambra State into two new states, Enugu State and Anambra State. Enugu remained as the capital of the newly-created Enugu State, while Awka was named as the capital of the new Anambra State.

The main indigenous people of the city are Ogui Nike who live in the areas surrounding Hotel Presidential and Obiagu and Ama-Igbo areas, as well as Ihewuzi and Onu-Asata areas. Other groups include the Awkunanaw people, who live mainly in the Achara Layout and Uwani areas; Enugwu Ngwuo people, who live on the hilltop with their farm lands sprawling all over the valley. The discovery of coal deposite in their land gave rise to settlements around the foot of the hills and as the population grew, the city expanded into the areas of other indigenous inhabitants. The city was called Enugwu Ngwuo before it was changed to just Enugu. Nike indigenes live mainly around the Abakpa, Iji-Nike, and Emene areas of the state capital.

[edit] Education and Communications

Enugu has three main tertiary institutions: the Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT); the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC); and the Institute of Management & Technology (IMT). It also boasts some of the best secondary schools in the country, notably the Federal Government College and the University secondary school. Among the city's television and radio stations are the Nigerian Television Authority's network affiliate (NTA Enugu), Enugu State Broadcasting Service Television (ESBS-TV), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) network affiliate station (Radio Enugu), and Cosmo FM 93.5 (a radio station alleged to be owned by the current state governor). Prominent hotels in the city include the Presidential Hotel, Enugu, Zodiac Hotels Enugu, Modotel Enugu, and the Nike Lake Resort Hotel. The main stadium, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, has a capacity of 25,000 and a first division professional league team, the Enugu Rangers.

The city of Enugu is comprised of a number of areas, amongst which are Abakpa Nike, Trans Ekulu, Emene, the Government Reservation Area or G.R.A., Iva Valley, Ogui, Coal Camp, Uwani, Akwunanaw, Independence Layout, Timber Shed, Ogui New Layout, Obiagu, Artesan, New Haven, City Layout, Achara Layout, Golf Estate, Ebeano Estate, Loma Linda Estate, and Uwgu Eron.

The main high streets in Enugu are Okpara Avenue (where most of the bank main branches are located), Chime Avenue, Ogui Road, Zik Avenue, Agbani Road, Abakpa Nike Road, Abakaliki Road, Airport Road, Emene Road, Presidential Road, and Rangers Avenue. The city has the only dual carriage underground tunnel road in Nigeria.

[edit] Economy

View of Enugu

Nicknamed "the Coal City", in the early 1900s, Enugu became a major center for the mining of coal discovered in the Udi plateau. The Biafran war brought widespread devastation that forced a decline in coal production from damage or destruction of equipment. Today, although coal mining is no longer the major source of income, very small quantities are railed south to Port Harcourt for export.

The city's economy has diversified in recent years and is largely dominated by trading, commerce, and small-scale industry. Flying into Enugu today brings no reminders of the capital city that bore the brunt of the military activities in the Nigerian civil war. Enugu is indeed a lovely place. The array of fine resorts and hotels that have sprung up around the city, the natural serenity of its environment, and a near absence of violent crimes have made Enugu a first choice destination for tourists from within and outside Nigeria.

Many of the people of Enugu sell goods at roadside or in one of many of Enugu's open markets. Some of the more popular markets in Enugu are Ogbete Market, Artisan Market, and New Market. At these markets, one can purchase local foods, produce, clothing, and fabrics, as well as handmade crafts and jewelry.

[edit] Transport

Enugu is located on the main narrow-gauge railway line from Port Harcourt.

Sosoliso Airlines is a Nigerian airline originally based in Enugu, but it now has its main offices in Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria and location of Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Sosoliso have daily flights from Enugu to Abuja. Sosoliso has three flights in and out of Enugu every day except Saturdays.

The mainstay of transportation is by taxi cab or by okada, which are motorcycles. Riding by okada tends to cost about half the price of travelling by taxi.

[edit] Agriculture

The former Eastern Region was once famed for producing half the world's total output of palm kernels. Since the Biafran War, production has markedly declined, largely because the plantations and processing equipment were either damaged or destroyed. The production of other important cash crops such as cocoa, cashew nuts, rice, cassava, and yam also tumbled after the civil war and the immediate oil boom years. Consequently, the area presently called Enugu state, which was once a self-sufficient net exporter in agricultural produce, must now import food.

The current state government has made increased agricultural production a cardinal priority in its anti-poverty crusade. It emphasizes rural development with the provision of electricity, portable water, decent schools, and health facilities to stem the tide of the rural-urban migration that starves the farms of an able-bodied work force. Incentives and soft loans have also been granted to farmers through various cooperative societies. Fertilisers, tractors for hire, and other farm inputs have also been made more easily accessible and affordable to farmers. Undoubtedly, these modest domestic policies of the government have jump-started the hitherto moribund agricultural sector in the state. Efforts to attract commercial farmers to make agriculture flourish profitably once again in the state are also being pursued.

[edit] Health Care

In Enugu, health care services can be obtained at ESUT (Enugu State University of Science and Technology) Teaching Hospital, UNTH (University of Nigeria, Enugu, Teaching Hospital), Park Lane General Hospital, P.M.C. (Peenok Medical Center), Niger Foundation Hospital, or Royal Hospital, Enugu. One can also find several small clinics throughout the state depending on the location of stay.