ABOUT ANAMBRA -OVERVIEW: LOCATION & PEOPLE

ABOUT ANAMBRA

Map of Anambra State OVERVIEW: LOCATION & PEOPLE Located in South-East Nigeria, Anambra State is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. It has one of the highest population densities in Africa. The state comprises numerous thickly populated villages, a number of small towns and a few major towns; some areas are so thickly populated that the estimated density is 1500-2000 persons living within every square kilometre. Most of the population is rural, although over the last two decades the rural-urban migration has stretched the meagre urban services to a breaking point. This pattern of human migration has posed serious problems for the state's resources, fragile infrastructure, environmental sanitation, erosion control and social services. This pressure is especially evident in its huge commercial city of Onitsha. Consequently, portable water, electricity and decent housing for the residents of Onitsha have become a luxury. The onerous task before the new government of Mr. Peter Obi is to reverse the decadence of the past and turn things around for the teeming population of Onitsha in particular and and the entire state generally. Most of the population of Anambra State are members of the enterprising Igbo ethnic group who are renowned for their resoucefulness and spirit of entrepreneurship. The Anambra Igbo are ubiquitous and can be found in all nooks and cranies of Nigeria, as well as in virtually every region of the world. Wherever they find themselves, the entrepreuneurial skills of the Igbo stand them out in all their fields of endeavour. Indeed, Anambra State is a very exciting place to visit by anyone who wants to experience the vibrance of authentic Africa. GOVERNMENT The current governor is Mr Peter Obi. He assumed office in March 2006 following the removal of Dr. Chris Ngige by a court of appeal’s ruling in Enugu which decided that his election victory in 2003 was rigged.. The state has experienced political turmoil for the past several years, but the efforts of the incumbent administration is fast restoring peace in order to create an enabling environment for the accelerated development that is so desperately needed in every facet of the people’s life. HISTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS Old Anambra State was created in 1976 from part of East Central State, and its capital was Enugu. Following further state creation in 1991, Anambra was divided into two states, Anambra and Enugu. Awka is the capital of Anambra State. The main towns of Anambra state are Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, Ihiala, Ekwulobia (Aguata), Uli, Abagana. Other significant communities include Ogidi, Aguleri, Umueri (Umuleri), Umuoba-Anam, Nmiata-Anam, Awkuzu, Nsugbe, Ichida, Alor and Atani. There are 21 Local Government Areas in the state: Aguata, Awka-North, Awka-South, Anambra-East, Anambra-West, Anaocha, Ayamelum, Dunukofia, Ekwusigo, Idemili-South and Idemili-North. Others are Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi-North, Nnewi-South, Ogbaru, Onitsha-North, Onitsha-South, Orumba-North, Orumba-South, and Oyi. EDUCATION Anambrarians are a very educationally advanced people. Literacy rate in the state is comparatively high, and there is an abundance of well educated and skilled personnel in virtually all fields of endeavour. There are a number of institutions of higher learning including Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka; Anambra State University, formerly known as Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH) Uli; Federal Polytechnic in Oko; Nwafor Orizu College of Education in Nsugbe; College of Agriculture, Igbariam (now incorporated into the Agricultural Sciences faculty of the state university). Hundreds of excellent primary and secondary schools exist in the cities and towns of the state. Primary and secondary school enrollment in the state is one of the highest in the country. Consequently, Anambra state has one of the the largest numbers of JAMB candidates seeking the limited higher education spaces in Nigeria's tertiary institutions. A recent anomaly in the educational system is the drop in male enrolment, mainly in secondary schools. This is one of the educational problems currently being aggressively tackled by the state government of Mr. Peter Obi. History - Past Governors of Anambra State Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige 29th May 2003-15th March 2006 Dr. Chinwoke C. Mbadinuju 29th May 1999—29th May 2003 Wing Commander Emmanuel U. Ukaegbu 6th August 1998-28th May 1999 Group Captain Rufai D. Garba 21st August 1996-August 1998 Colonel Mike Attah December 1993-21st August1996 Police Commisssioner Dabo Aliyu November- December1993 Dr. Chukwuemeka P. Ezeife 2nd January 1992-17th November1993 Navy Captain Joseph Abulu 27th August 1991—January 1992 ICONS & ROLE MODELS Anambra state is the home state of many prominent Nigerians, past and present. Our Heroes Past Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, First President of Nigeria Lady Janet Mokwelu, First Nigerian Female Legislator Sir Louis-Philippe Odumegwu-Ojukwu, First Nigerian Millionaire Christopher Okigbo, Celebrated Poet Professor Kenneth Dike, Renowned Historian Chief Mrs Oyibo Odinamadu, Female Political Collosus Mokwugo Okoye, Acclaimed Social Critic & Writer Sir Louis Mbanefo, First Nigerian Lawyer Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Former Senate President of Nigeria Our Present Role Models Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, former Head of State/President of the defunct Republic of Biafra; Chairman of Board of Trustees of All People's Grand Alliance (APGA) Political Party Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, Second Republic Vice-President of Nigeria Professor Chinua Achebe, Globally Acclaimed Author Nwafor Orizu, First Senate President of Nigeria. Professor Chike Obi, Renowned Mathematician Dr. Pius Okigbo, Distinguished Economist Professor Dora Akunyili, Former Director General of NAFDAC Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Hon. Minister of Education Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, First Female Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria Prof. Ben Enweonwu, Renowned Artist Philip Philip Emeagwali, World Class Computer Scientist Professor Charles C. Soludo, Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Professor Ben Nwabueze, Renowned Constitutional Lawyer & Former Minister of Education.