Aba, Abia

Aba is a city in the southeast of Nigeria and the commercial center of Abia State. Upon the creation of Abia state in 1991, Aba was divided into two local government areas namely; Aba South and Aba North. Aba south is the main city centre and the heartbeat of Abia State, south-east Nigeria. It is 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 from Ohazu merged due to administrative convenience. Aba was established by the Ngwa clan of Igbo People of Nigeria as a market town and then later a military post was placed there by the British colonial administration[2] in 1901. 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.[3] The city became a collecting point for agricultural products following the British made railway running through it to Port Harcourt. Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial centre in a region that is surrounded by small villages and towns. The indigenous people of Aba are the Ngwa. Aba is well known for its craftsmen and also the most populous city in the South Eastern Nigeria. As of 2016, Aba had an estimated population of 2,534,265.[1]

"Enyimba" redirects here. For the football club, see Enyimba International F.C.

Aba Aba Ngwa Enyimba City
City
A street in Aba
Nickname(s):  Enyimba
Aba Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 5°07′N 7°22′E
Country	Nigeria
State	Abia
LGA	Aba South and Aba North. Aba development has expanded to Osisioma Ngwa, Obi Ngwa and Ugwunagbo
Government
• Governor	Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP)
Area [1]
• Total	72 km^2 (28 sq mi)
Elevation	205 m (673 ft)
Population  (2016 census)[1]
• Total	2,534,265
• Density	35,000/km^2 (91,000/sq mi)
• Ethnicity	Igbo, others
• Ethnicity density	7,000/km^2 (20,000/sq mi)
• Religion	Christianity, Omenala
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)
Postcode	450...
Area code(s)	082
Climate	Am
Website	http://www.abiastateonline.com/

History

Aba as a City is made up of many villages namely; Aba-Ukwu, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba and Umuokpoji-Aba but the villages in Ohazu have been merged with Aba so as to achieve administrative convenience. Aba-Ukwu is apparently the premier village in Aba, little wonder the late Eze W.E Ukaegbu of Aba-Ukwu was known and referred to as the 9th Grand Son of Aba.

Hence the owners of Aba are often referred to as Aba la Ohazu indigenes and Chief Ogbonna Uruakpa Nkwoha of Eziukwu Village was made the King of Aba and the only recognised Royal throne by the Queen of England.

It eventually became an administrative centre of Britain's colonial government. Aba has been a major commercial centre since it became part of the old Eastern region.

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 easily beat the native Aro people with an unknown number (presumed to be heavy) of casualties.[4] 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.[3] In 1929 Aba was the site of a revolt by Igbo women, historically known as "The Aba Women's Riot"[nb 1], a protest of the colonial taxation policy.[6] The riot started first 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 palm oil belt, but remained peaceful until a pregnant woman was knocked over during a "scuffle", and the lady losing her child.[7] The news of this "act of abomination" spread rapidly and violent reactions ensued. After more deaths, some accidental, some not, occurred, a mass of 10,000 women marched on Aba. Sources dispute the numbers of dead, with 55[5] to over 100 being reported.[7] 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 state capital of Biafra was moved to Umuahia from Enugu. Aba was devastated during the Biafran War.[8]

Aba is the home of many distinguished families such as the popular Emejiaka Egbu family of Aba la Ohazu, Ogbonna family of Eziukwu-Aba, the prestigious 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 and so forth.

Economy

Aba is surrounded by oil wells which separate it from the city of Port Harcourt. A 30 kilometres (19 mi) pipeline powers Aba with gas from the Imo River natural gas repository.[3] Its major economic contributions are Textiles and Palm Oil[2] 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 brewery, a glass company[2] and distillery within the city. Finally, it is famous for its handicrafts.[3]

Source of electricity

Aba is powered by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which was created by the breaking up of the Nigerian Electricity Power Authority, there is another electrical company that is yet to start power generation called the Geometric Power Company, if this starts the daily hours of electricity will improve in aba and the electricity generator is a household item in every home that can afford it, for some places in aba it is the only source of electricity.

Religion

The city has played a lasting role in the Christian evangelism of the Southeast of Nigeria since the British brought the Church Missionary Society (CMS), an evangelism vehicle of the Church of England used to plant what today has become the Anglican Church of Nigeria. The church named All the Saints, originated out of the evangelical initiative of three oil traders from Opopo-Joseph Cookey, Gabrial Coookey and Zedekiah Cookeys. These men sailed up the Abs- Azumini River in 1896 for their trading and also for the planting of the Christian religion. In 1897, they negotiated with Abayi and Umuocham people for land to establish their oil business at two beaches, which they built at Abayi waterside and Umuocham waterside. They traded oil producers from Ngwa the life, the word they preach, the religious cum trade relationship that transpired, the Cookeys converted the Abayi and Umuocham people to Christianity. From 1901 especially in 1902, they planned an intensive crusade and invited their landlords. This led to the planting of two congregations one at Abayi waterside and the other at Umuocham dedicated by Bishop Johnson, the Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Western Equatorial Africa (1900–1917). The earlier converts from Abayi and Umuocham attended service at St. Ambrose, Abayi Waterside Until 1905 when they set up their own Church -shade at Abayi and Umuocham respectively. Joseph Cookey was the volunteer teacher for Abayi while Gabriel Cookey was volunteer teaches for Umuocham.

St. Michael's Cathedral Anglican Church was founded in the late 1920s although St. James Parish on the city edge (Umule) is arguably the oldest church because the diocese's first mass was celebrated in 1916. Most of the Primary and Secondary Schools mentioned above were founded by the CMS along with each of their Churches.

In 1923, the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA Church) was established.[9] The Seventh-day Adventists are well known for their Biblical faith, quality hospitals and good educational institutions.

The Catholic Church was to follow and 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.

With the arrival of the Pentecostal brand of Christianity in Nigeria, the city got an enormous share for itself. The Assemblies of God Church, being among the earliest, the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Living Word Ministries Inc. had massive following in the early 1980s, following The Refiner's House International Church one of the newest and fastest-growing Christian ministries in the city. African Gospel Church was founded by Bishop Ogudoro the Founder of African Gospel church. African Gospel church is divided into 10 districts. The present Bishop of African Gospel church is Bishop Uzoaru (2009).

In the late 1960s, a group of Nigerians discovered information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and established branches, but the Utah-based church did not establish any official presence until 1978.[10] The first stake of the 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 4 LDS stakes (collections of about 10 local congregations) headquartered in Aba and the only LDS Temple in Nigeria is located in the city, the Aba Nigeria Temple. There are two other temples announced for Lagos and Benin City, but with the Aba Temple dating back to 2005.

Muslims and mosques are also present in Aba; the largest mosque is the Hospital Road Mosque. A Chief Imam is resident among the Hausa-speaking settlement in the heart of the city itself.

Education

The city has well over 90 primary schools, most running two sections of morning and afternoon. These sections, which are individual schools by themselves, operate 07:30Hrs – 12:30Hrs and 12:30Hrs – 17:30Hrs, all local time.

Primary schools in Aba

• Ogbor Hill Primary School
• Living Word Magnet Schools
• Aba-Owerri Road Primary School
• Asa Road Primary School
• Asa Triangle Primary School
• Constitution Crescent (Santa Maria) Primary School
• School Road Primary School Aba
• Cameroun Barracks Primary School
• City Primary School
• Township Primary school
• Ohabiam Primary School
• Umuagabai Primary School
• Golf Course Primary School
• St Bridget Primary School
• Abayi Umuocham Primary School
• Abayi Ariaria Primary School
• Ndoki Road Primary School
• Danfodio Road Primary School
• Ehere Road Primary School
• Azikiwe Road Primary School
• Tenant Road Primary School
• Market Road Primary School
• Cameroun Road Primary School
• St. James Model Primary School (private)
• Hospital Road Primary School
• Okigwe Road Primary School
• Omuma Road Primary School
• College primary School
• 67 Infantory Battalion Primary School, Umule
• Living Stone Int'l Christian Primary School, Ogbor-Hill Aba, Abia State
• lilac primary school ogbor hil,aba
• International Early Learning Centre, Umuodu, Abayi Aba
• Daughter of mary mother of mercy primary school owned by the catholic church, and is among the first five primary school in aba in the 90s alongside st Bridget and intl early learning.

eagle hight academy, 56 Cameroon road aba

Secondary schools in Aba

• Presbyterian Secondary School, Ogbor Hill Aba
• Living Word Academy Secondary
• Ngwa High School (NHS) or (NAHISCO)
• (Ibo) National High School (NACO)
• Girls' Technical College
• Sacred Heart College Eziukwu Aba (SAHACO)
• Eziama High School (Apostolic Grammar School)
• Wilcox Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbor hill Aba
• All Saints Secondary School, Ehere Aba
• Community Girls Secondary School
• Secondary Technical School
• Nigerian Christian Seminary School
• Boys Technical College [BTC]
• Girls High School, Ogbor Hill.
• Ninlan Demonstration Secondary School.
• Ovom Girls High School, Ovom
• Ohabiam Girls Secondary School, Ohabiam.
• Nneise Community Secondary School, Umuezu.
• St. Joseph College Aba
• Iheorji Secondary School Aba
• Osusu Secondary School Aba

Private schools in Aba

• Living Word Magnet Schools (Nursery/Primary)
• Living Word Academy (Secondary)
• St. James Model School (Hosts JAMB and other graduate exams)
• Premier International Secondary School
• New Breed International Schools
• Evangel Seminary
• Alberto Model School
• Dority International Secondary School (Hosts SAT and Toefl Exams for foreign colleges)
• St Bridget High School
• St Anthony Comprehensive Secondary School Aba.
• Living Stone International Christian Secondary School, Ogbor-Hill Aba, Abia State
• Living Word Academy Secondary, Abayi, Aba.
• D-nals High school,opobo Rd Aba.
• Rich Devos International High School, Aba.
• Presbyterian secondary school, Ehere, Aba.
• Awesome International Model Secondary School, Abayi Aba.
• Infotech Demonstration School Aba.
• stella maris secondary school aba.
• merit base international Christian school Aba
• St. Joseph College Aba
• Intellectual Giants Christian Academy
• Modern Child College Aba
• St. Augustine's Model Academy, Ogbor Hill, Aba.
• Lilac Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbor Hill, Aba
• Hawics International School

Tertiary schools in Aba

The tertiary schools are:

• Abia State University Teaching Hospital
• Abia State Polytechnic
• Covenant Polytechnic
• School of Health Technology
• Redemption College of Education (privately owned)
• Rhema University, Aba Take-off site (also privately owned by Living Word Ministries)
• Infotech College of Technology (privately owned)
• Cyberspot Institute of Information Technology (privately owned)
• Living Word Institute of Information Technology (privately owned)

IMO state university extension in nursing school off Mosque Road

Aba is served by a station and a halt (mini station) on Nigerian Railwaysthis dilapidated and 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 in the eastern part of Nigeria. Commercial motorcycles ("Okada") have been banned – replaced by commercial tricycles ("Keke NAPEP"), and minibus which popularity started in late 2015, and is popular as a means of transportation now.

In 2012, a monorail system has been proposed.

Sports

Enyimba International F.C., popularly called The Peoples Elephant, is the town's most popular football club. Enyimba FC's winning track-record is among the richest of all Nigerian football clubs. With 2 CAF Champions League Trophies, six Nigeria Premier League titles and a pair of Federation Cup trophies, the club is currently ranked 2nd in the CAF Club Rankings.

Waste management

Refuse Skip at Osisioma Junction

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. Waste Management problems have been tried to be solved through the Federal and State Governments, however, the problems still exist, and have not been solved. "Aba is the commercial hub of eastern Nigeria".[11] There are well known markets (such as Ariaria International Market, Ahia Ohuru (New Market), Eziukwu Road Market (Cemetery Market ), Shopping Centre (Ekeoha) etc.) that serve the entire region with quality wares, provisions, cosmetics, etc. (See also www.waste.org.ng[12] for more recent pictures captured by a researcher on the tour of Aba)

See also

• Railway stations in Nigeria

Notes

1. The Igbo People refer to it as the Women's War, whereas the British, in a belittling manner called it the Aba Riots.[5]

Footnotes

1. "Abia (state, Nigeria) - Population". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
2. Munro 1995, p. 2
3. Hoiberg 2010, p. 6
4. Oriji 2011, p. 167
5. Falola & Heaton 2008, p. 133
6. Lemberg & Courtlandt 1984, p. 1
7. Oriji 2011, p. 178
8. Opia 1972, p. 8
9. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist 2014
10. Jordan 2007
11. Izugbara, C. O.; Umoh, J. O. (2004). "Indigenous Waste Management Practices among the Ngwa of Southeastern Nigeria: Some lessons and policy implications". The Environmentalist. 24 (2): 87–92. doi:10.1007/s10669-004-4799-4.
12. "waste in Aba". 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.

References

• Falola, Toyin; Heaton, Matthew M. (2008). A History of Nigeria. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-68157-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist (2014). "Aba East Conference". adventistyearbook.org. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Aba". Encyclopædia Britannica. I: A-Ak – Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Jordan, Mary (2007). "In Nigeria, the New Face of Global Mormonism". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Lemberg, David S.; Courtlandt, Canby (1984). "Encyclopedia of Historical Places". Encyclopedia of Historical Places. Facts on File Library of World History. 1. New York, NY: Facts on File. ISBN 978-0871961266.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Munro, David, ed. (1995). "Aba". The Oxford Dictionary of the World. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-866184-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Opia, Eric Agume (1972). Why biafra? Aburi, Prelude to the Biafran Tragedy. San Rafael, CA: Leswing Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Oriji, John N. (2011). Political Organization in Nigeria since the Late Stone Age: A History of the Igbo People. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-62193-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Izugbara, C. O. and Umoh, J. O., 2004. Indigenous Waste Management Practices among the Ngwa of Southeastern Nigeria: Some lessons and policy implications. The Environmentalist. 24: 87–92.
• Nwanju, B.N. (1991). Government of Abia State: Decision on the Newly Created Local Government Areas. (Letter to the Sole Administrator of Aba LGA). SGA/S.0003/S.1/X