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44-747: The town Amawbia, which is also known as Ugbo-Ogiliga, is situated along the old Enugu-Onitsha road in what is today known as Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue. It is about 35 km from Onitsha, on that road in Anambra State, Nigeria. The progenitor of Amawbia is, according to common oral tradition, Awofia , one of the sons of Nri Ifikwuanim, the first son of Eri (900AD). Eri migrated from the present site of Aguleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area, to Nri, in Anaocha Local Government. Another legend holds that

88-507: A capital with modern standards of quality. ACTDA has completed aerial mapping in June 2015 with the government set to appoint a town planning firm to develop a Masterplan for the city. Obiano has also gone ahead to change the gateway into and out of Awka by expanding the A232 expressway to three lanes and constructing three flyovers at three key junctions between Amobia and Amansea . Awka hosts

132-473: A deity that was said to be a daughter of the great long juju shrine of Arochukwu. The oracle, which Chinua Achebe used as inspiration in his book Things Fall Apart ), was consulted to whenever disputes (far and wide) occurred, until it was eventually destroyed by colonial authorities, in the early part of the twentieth century. Before the inception of British rule, Ọka was governed by titled men known formally as Ozo and Ndichie, who were accomplished individuals in

176-569: A formidable force making for stability and moderation. “The Traditional Ruler is known and called the Okpaligwe 1 of Amawbia. The current Okpalaigwe is HRH Michael Okoye. Festivities observed by Amawbia people which are numerous (e.g. Iru-Otite, Onwa asato and Eziokpaligwe festival etc.) are marked with eating, drinking, drumming and singing. Special attires, ornament and designs with cam wood, indigo etc. are worn. A very popular festival in Amawbia

220-451: A home-away-from-home for members of the large Igbo diaspora when they visit their relatives in Awka and nearby towns providing a measure of western-style comfort and services within a hotel and resort setting. Indeed, within half an hour of Awka, it is estimated that there is a diaspora population numbering well over 100,000. The town currently has over 15 3-star hotels. The Imo-Oka festival is

264-519: A larger presence ever since. The Catholic faith has two large cathedrals – St. Patrick's and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Awka as well as four smaller churches such as SS John and Paul's, St. Anthony's, St. Peter's and St. John's spread around the town. Administratively, since 1977 Awka has served as a diocese for the Roman Catholic Church serving 107 parishes and five chaplaincies. Living Faith Church, Awka [A.K.A. Winners' Chapel, Awka]

308-599: A manufacturing plant for Parenteral drugs in the city. Major Nigerian Banks such as Access Bank, Bank PHB, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, GTB, Intercontinental, Oceanic Bank, UBA, Union Bank and Zenith Bank have opened branches in the city. Prior to the Nigerian Civil War , Awka townspeople maintained the city on their own. Market traders cleaned around their stalls; streets and pathways and compounds were swept. Blocked storm drains would be cleared by residents. The first attempt to address

352-409: A medley of shoppers, buses, wheel barrows all jostling for the limited amount of space available. The second largest market in Awka is Nkwo Amaenyi located further down on the busy Zik Avenue business district artery. It is far smaller than Eke Awka with less than 100 market stalls in an area estimated at 3,000 square meters. Awka has a large university community which at times comprises around 15% of

396-592: A number of villages, altogether spanning 33 in Awka. Ifite Section Ezinator Section Today, Awka people can be found all across the globe many working as skilled professionals in a wide range of fields. As a result, there is a large Awka diaspora located primarily in the UK and in the United States. There, they have formed social clubs like Awka Union USA and Canada, Awka Town Social Community UK and Ireland and other community associations. These associations have been

440-505: A two weeks-long festival of masquerades and dances held in May at the beginning of the farming season in honour of a female deity who it is hoped would make the land fertile and yield bountiful crops. The festival starts with Awka people visiting the community of Umuokpu with masquerades and it ends with a visit to the Imo-Oka stream on the final day which is heralded by a heavy rain that falls in

484-646: A variety of broadcast media organizations including two independent newspaper dailies, an FM radio station for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the offices of the state-run Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation and a Zonal office of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Awka like most Nigerian cities is defined by large rudimentary informal markets where everything from basic food produce to clothes, cosmetics and household items are sold. The largest market in

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528-535: A way for people to enjoy their culture as well as to engage in community self-help projects. Over the years Awka Town has also attracted people from other states in Nigeria who are resident in the city. Awka lies below 300 metres above sea in a valley on the plains of the Mamu River. Two ridges or cuestas, both lying in a north–south direction, form the major topographical features of the area. The ridges reach

572-558: Is a town in Idemili South local government area that is often mistaken for the main capital. Awka comprises seven Igbo groups sharing common blood lineage, divided into the following two sections: the Ifite section and the senior section. They collectively comprises four groups: Ayom-na-Okpala, Nkwelle, Amachalla and Ifite-Oka. The Ezinator section consists of three groups, namely Amikwo, Ezi-Oka and Agulu . Each of these groups has

616-583: Is currently administered by the Awka South Local Government Area. However, it still preserves its traditional systems of governance with the respected Ozo-titled men often consulted for village and community issues and a paramount cultural representative, the Eze Uzu, who is elected by all Ozo-titled men by rotation among different villages to represent the city at state functions. Awka should not be confused with Awka-Etiti which

660-543: Is located at 199.1 kilometres (123.7 mi), by road, directly north of Port Harcourt in the centre of the densely-populated Igbo heartland in South-East Nigeria. The West-East Federal highway links Lagos , Benin City , Asaba , Onitsha , and Enugu to Awka and several local roads link it to other important towns such as Oko , Ekwulobia , Agulu , Enugwu-Ukwu , Abagana and Nnewi . Strategically, Awka

704-492: Is located midway between two major cities in Northern Igboland, Onitsha and Enugu , which has played a significant role in its choice as an administrative center for the colonial authorities and today as a base for the Anambra State government. " Awka has a certain kind of aura about it, because it was the place of the blacksmiths that created implements which made agriculture possible." -- Chinua Achebe Awka

748-725: Is one of the oldest settlements in Igboland, established at the centre of the Nri civilisation, which produced the earliest documented bronze works in Sub-Saharan Africa, around 800 A.D., and was the cradle of Igbo civilisation at large. The earliest settlers of Awka were the Ifiteana people, the name Ifiteana roughly translating into ‘people who sprouted from the earth.’ The people, themselves, were renowned as farmers, hunters and adept iron workers, all of whom indigenously inhabited

792-509: Is the Ezi Okpaligwe festival which marks the end of the year's farming year. During this festival, which takes up to 5 days in the past has been amended to 3 days presently. The six villages of the town - Umueze, Ngene, Adabebe, Umukabia, Enuoji and Ezimezi provide in turns, cultural entertainment in form of dances, masquerading, etc. It is also the time to show case different dances and an avenue for different villages to raise revenue for

836-420: Is the capital city of Anambra State , Nigeria . The city was declared capital on 21 August 1991, after the creation of Anambra and Enugu state , which moved the capital from Enugu to Awka (an administrative center since pre-colonial times). The city has an estimated population of 301,657 as of the 2006 Nigerian census. The both LGAs of Awka South and North had a estimated population of 430,200 in 2022. The city

880-568: Is the largest Pentecostal Church in the metropolis hosting thousands of worshippers weekly in its yet-to-be filled 5000-seat capacity auditorium. It is also the first church in the State Capital to air all of its major weekly programmes live on YouTube, Twitch and on its official website followed by the Intercessory Mercy Of God church located at Aguoye Awka which houses many belivers seeking to find an indepth meaning to

924-419: The Amawbia people are descendants of mercenaries hired by the people of Awka, who were later on allowed to settle in their region. This story is common among some Awka natives. The people of Amawbia have a Traditional Ruler as the head of the town who represents a symbol of their Unity and Solidarity. He shall according to the town's constitution “uphold the customs and traditions of Amawbia people and serve as

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968-632: The Atlantic creates six months of heavy tropical rains, which occur between April and July, followed by a short dry period in August lasting two to three weeks with the rain resuming in September and October. This is followed by five months of dryness (November–March) marked by a Harmattan wind, also known as Ugulu in Igbo, which is a particularly dry and dusty wind which enters Nigeria in late December or in

1012-1856: The Local and State Governments, Amawbia community and individuals. Currently, Amawbia has three state owned primary schools - the Central School (built by the Anglican Mission), Igwedunma Primary School (built by the Roman Catholic Mission) and the Community Primary School (built by the Local Government). It also has Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Archived 2019-05-25 at the Wayback Machine (JAMB), National Examination Council (NECO), and NABTEB (The National Business and Technical Examinations Board). A list of schools in Amawbia include 1. Krosa Model Nursery and Primary Schools, Ugwu Tank. 2. Kemy Nursery / Primary School. 3. Igwedumma Primary School. 4. Central School Amawbia. 5. Community Primary School Amawbia. 6. Rev. Fr. Ekwu Nursery and Primary School, Amawbia 7. Kings Nursery and Primary School Amawbia 8. Ambassador Nursery School Amawbia 9. St. Matthew's Kindergarten Nursery School, Umueze, Amawbia. 10. St. Matthew's Kindregaten Nursery School Ngene, Amawbia. 11. Good Child Model Nursery and Primary School Amawbia. 1. Krosa Model Academy. 2. Unique Comprehensive Secondary School. 3. Kabe College Amawbia 4. Community Secondary School, Amawbia 5. Union Secondary School, Amawbia . 6. Kings International College, Amawbia . 7. Model Comprehensive Secondary School Amawbia. etc. In Amawbia, until 1903, there

1056-732: The Niger branch in 1857. A teachers' training college in Awka was created in 1904. Its oldest church in the town is believed to be the Church of the Holy Spirit which was completed in 1930. The largest church in the capital city today is the Living Faith Church [Winners Chapel, Awka] with a typical Sunday attendance of over 2,500. The Roman Catholic Church lagged behind the Anglican Church in entering Awka, but it has built

1100-853: The State Governor's Lodge, State Assembly and State Ministries for Health, State Judiciary headquarters, Education, Lands, Water. The Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) a TV and radio station are located in the city centre. A number of federal institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria (which has a currency centre in Awka), the NTA Awka media station, and branches of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety Commission , Nigerian Immigration Service , and Corporate Affairs Commission are also present in

1144-577: The banks of the Ogwugwu stream, in what is now known as the Nkwelle ward of the city. Over time, the town became known for metal working and its blacksmiths were prized throughout the region for making farming implements, dane guns and such ceremonial items as Oji (staff of mystical power) and Ngwuagilija (staff of Ozo men). During pre.-colonial times, Ọka became famous as the Agbala oracle, specifically

1188-462: The city. In recent years, several new businesses have erected new buildings that have largely changed the face of Awka city. The partly state-owned Orient Petroleum Resources Ltd has the headquarters in Awka. The company is poised to set up a refinery at Igbariam to jump-start the exploitation of the huge crude oil deposits in the Anambra River basin. Also Juhel Nigeria has constructed

1232-459: The community. They held general meetings, known as Izu-Ọka, at either the residence of the oldest man (Otochal Ọka) or a place specially designated by the titled men. He was the Nne Uzu, or ‘master blacksmith,’ irrespective of whether or not he actually knew the trade, as the only master known to Ọka was the master craftsman, the Nne Uzu. In modern times, Awka has adopted the republican system and

1276-542: The early part of January and is characterized by a grey haze limiting visibility and blocking the sun's rays before dissipating and leading to extreme dry heat in the latter months of February and March. The temperature in Awka is generally 27–30 °C between June and December but rises to 32–34 °C between January and April, with the last few months of the dry season marked by intense heat. The economy of Awka city revolves primarily around government since many state and federal institutions are located there. Awka hosts

1320-578: The highest point at Agulu just outside the Capital Territory. About six kilometers east of this, the minor cuesta peaks about 150 metres above sea level at Ifite –Awka. Awka is sited in a fertile tropical valley but most of the original Rain forest has been lost due to clearing for farming and human settlement. A few examples of the original rain forest remains at places like the Ime Oka shrine. Wooded savannah grassland predominates primarily to

1364-418: The late afternoon. There are four major events performed during the festival, the ede-mmuo, ogwu oghugha, egwu Opu-Eke and Egwu Imo-Oka. Egwu Opu Eke is a rich cultural dance performed by female worshipers of Imo-Oka shrine which includes priestesses and ordinary women alike decorated in colourful costume dancing in the market square in honour of the deity controlling the shrine. The Imo-Oka festival showcases

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1408-469: The major towns of Adazi-Nnukwu , Agulu , ABBA , Abagana , Nri Kingdom , Amansea , Enugwu-Ukwu , Enugwu-Agidi , Isiagu , Isu-Aniocha , Mgbakwu , Nawfia , Nawgu , Nibo , Nimo , Nise , Okpuno and Umuawulu . Governor Peter Obi implemented just a few of the UN-HABITAT's recommendations managing to tar less than 5 kilometers of urban roads, improve waste collection and upgrade schools and

1452-568: The needs of hosting a wide range of visitors. It has become the place for holding political meetings, where conferences are organized by the state government and Nnamdi Azikiwe University and where other events such as workshops and trainings are hosted by federal institutions such as the CBN, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Commission, and NGOs such as FHI, the World Bank and the UN. Awka has also become

1496-616: The north and east of the city. South of the town on the slopes of the Awka-Orlu Uplands are some examples of soil erosion and gullying. Awka is in the tropical rainforest zone of Nigeria and experiences two distinct seasons brought about by the two predominant winds that rule the area: the southwestern monsoon winds from the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern dry winds from across the Sahara desert. The monsoon winds from

1540-2025: The population of Amawbia had become Christians with the establishment of Catholic and Anglican churches in the town. In the same vein, it is reckoned that 90% of the present population of Amawbia are Christian while about 9% are still of the traditional "Omenani". Among the 1% are found either Muslims or other religious sects. 1. Awka South Local Government Headquarter. 2. Governor's Lodge, Amawbia. 3. Nigerian Red Cross Anambra State Headquarters, Amawbia. 4. State Education Commission Anambra Zone, Amawbia. 5. ASUDEB, Amawbia. 6. Magistrate Courts 1,2,3,4, Amawbia. 7. Anambra State Judiciary Service Commission Headquarter, Amawbia. 8. National Directory of Employment Anambra State Headquarters, Amawbia. 9. National Identity Commission, Awka South L.G.A Headquarters, Amawbia. 10. Anambra State Welfare Headquarters, Amawbia. 11. Health Care Centre Eziokpaligwe Square, Amawbia. 12. Anambra State Nabteb Headquarters, Amawbia Bye-Pass. 13. Anambra State Jamb Headquarters, Amawbia Bye-pass. 14. Nigeria Prisons Service Headquarters, Amawbia. 15. Nigeria Police Headquarter - Anambra State Command, Amawbia. 16. Police State CID Anambra StateHeasquaters, Amawbia. 17. Awka Zone Police Area Command, Amawbia. 18. Federal Road Safety Commission Amawbia (FRSC) by-Pass. 19. State Security Services Anambra State Headquarters, Amawbia 20. Nigeria Agricultural and Co-operative bank. Address: Amawbia Round about. 21. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Awka South Local Govt. Area Office Beside Police Hq. Amawbia. 22. Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) Amawbia. 23. National Youth Service Corp. Umueze Amawbia. Awka Awka, Amawbia , Adazi-Nnukwu , Agulu and Abagana Others LGA Core Areas Awka, Amawbia , and Umuokpu Linkage Adazi-Nnukwu , Agulu , Abba , Abagana , Nri Kingdom , Amansea , Enugwu-Ukwu , Enugwu-Agidi , Isiagu , Isu-Aniocha , Mgbakwu , Nawfia , Nawgu , Nibo , Nimo , Awka ( Igbo : Ọka )

1584-416: The population of the town. It hosts two primary universities of higher/tertiary education – Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Paul University . Nnamdi Azikiwe University is owned and run by the federal government of Nigeria providing undergraduate and postgraduate education to an estimated student population of 36,000 at its over 100-acre main campus located at Ifite, Awka. Nnamdi Azikiwe University ranks among

1628-619: The spiritual lives they live through prophesies and ministrations from the General Overseer Augustine Obi. As a people well known for travelling, Awka developed an enlightened tolerance and kindness towards guests and strangers which led the British missionaries and colonial authorities to choose the town as a key administrative centre. Today, Awka has become the centre of hospitality in Anambra state adapting to

1672-571: The teaching hospital. His government also began installing water pipes along the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe Road and Ifite Road but he left office without providing a credible citywide public water supply. His successor Governor Willie Obiano has taken on the charge of transforming the ancient town into something the state can be proud of. To spearhead the transformation, Obiano created the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) mandated to deliver

1716-622: The top 10 universities in Nigeria in research output. Paul University was founded in 2009 by Bishops of the five ecclesiastical provinces of the Anglican Church East of the Niger as a private university to provide quality undergraduate training in Theology, Natural and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Management. The university which is fully residential has an estimated enrollment of around 400 students (expected to reach 3,500) and has replaced St Pauls university College which

1760-589: The town is Eke Awka, named after one of the four market days (see Igbo calendar ). Located on a former community burial ground in the center of the city, Eke Awka has grown from a small market serving the needs of residents of the Agulu, Ezi-Oka and Amikwo sections of Awka to functioning as the main retail outlet for the city and neighbouring towns. It houses an estimated 5,000 lock-up shops and stalls all tightly packed into less than 35,000 square meters of space and has become infamous for causing tremendous traffic chaos with

1804-477: The urban decay was made by the Government of Peter Obi who forged a technical cooperation agreement with UN-HABITAT in 2007 to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a structure plan for Awka Capital Territory. The Structural Plan of Awka Capital Territory (2009–2028) is designed as a Core-Multi-Nuclei urban design with Awka, Amawbia and Umuokpu serving as the core of the city with linkages to

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1848-581: The year. Prizes and certificates are normally awarded. The contact of Amawbia Town with the British Government in the early 20th century, the warm and friendly attitudes to visitors, and the people 's disposition to accept positive change influenced their understanding and education. Subsequently, this led to establishment of schools in the town both by the Missionaries - Church Missionary Society (CMS), Roman Catholic Church (RCM) and later by

1892-562: Was founded in 1904 by the Church Missionary Society of the Church of England to train church workers and teachers. Christianity is the main religion of Awka people although many also retain belief in their traditional religion which encompasses many similar traditions and values as noted by G.T. Basden. The Church Missionary Society (CMS) of the Anglican Church was instrumental in bringing Christianity into Eastern Nigeria through Reverend Samuel Ajayi Crowther who founded

1936-560: Was one religion - the traditional Igbo religion (Omenani) to which all members of the community belonged. With the advent of Western civilization, British Church Missionary Society (CMS) introduced St. Peters Anglican Church in 1903. In the spirit of accepting positive change, the people of Amawbia overwhelmingly embraced the Christian religion as a way to reach out of their salvation. Converts to Christianity grew by leaps and bounds, so that, less than five decades later, over seventy percent of

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