Umuahia

Infobox Settlement
official_name =Umuahia
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pushpin_label_position =bottom
pushpin_map_caption =Location in Nigeria
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subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Abia State
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population_as_of =1991
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population_note = [ [http://www.citypopulation.de/Nigeria.html Nigeria [ City Population: Cities, Towns, Countries & Provinces, Statistics & Maps &#93]
population_total = 147,167
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population_blank1_title =Ethnicities
population_blank1 = Igbo
population_blank2_title =Religions
population_blank2 = Christianity, Odinani
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latd=5 |latm=32|lats= |latNS=N
longd=7 |longm=29 |longs= |longEW=E
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Umuahia is a town which is the capital of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the railroad that lies between Port Harcourt to Umuahia's south and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 147,167 [http://www.citypopulation.de/Nigeria.html] as of 1991 and its main ethnic group are the Igbo. The town's slogan is "Spring of Synergy." Umuahia town is known has been known as an agricultural market centre since 1916. It is also a railway collecting point, which runs through the town, for the region s surrounding for crops such as: yams, cassava, corn (maize), taro, citrus fruits, and palm oil and kernels. There are several breweries in Umuahia, and there is also a palm-oil-processing plant and the National Root Crops Research Institute, at Umudike, is adjacent to the town. Umuahia also has several colleges, including Trinity College (theological), and several hospitals.

Umuahia comprises two local government areas: Umuahia North and Umuahia South. These local governments are also composed of many villages and autonomous communities such as the Ibeku and Ohuhu communities. Ibeku is made up of seven communities, which include Ndume, Azueke, Amaoforo, Afara, Osa, Isieke, etc.

History

Umuahia became the first industrial town in Igboland during the First Republic of Nigeria.

Nigeria-Biafra War

Umuahia was declared the second capital of the short-lived nation of the Republic of Biafra on 28 September, 1967 after the first capital Enugu was captured by Nigerian troops; after it was captured in turn on 22 April, 1969, the last Biafran capital became Owerri.

Notable people from Umuahia

One of its prominent son's is Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the former premier of Eastern Region of Nigeria. Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first Nigerian GOC and military Head of state, is also from the town. Stephen Ama Achilefu, first personnel officer of now defunct Nigeria Airways who was murdered as a prelude to the Biafran War after a meeting with Yakubu Gowon also hails from Umuahia. [http://messageboard.biafranigeriaworld.com/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/1/t/002071.html]

References

* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria.htm#Biafra WorldStatesmen- Nigeria]

External links

* [http://www.umuahia.org/ Umuahia Online]