Anambra State: A Hub of History, Culture, and Commerce

Creation

Anambra, known as ‘the light of the nation,’ is a remarkable state in Nigeria. If you’re crossing the River Niger Bridge heading east, Anambra is one of the first states you’ll encounter before reaching other southeastern states.

Anambra State was created on August 27, 1991, along with several other states in Nigeria. It shares borders with five states: Delta, Imo, Enugu, and Rivers.

While Awka is the capital city, the largest city is Onitsha, followed by Nnewi, which is renowned as a commercial and industrial hub in West Africa. The name ‘Anambra’ is derived from the Omambala River, which flows through the state

Location

Anambra is in the eastern part of Nigeria. It lies between latitude 5°32’ and 6°45’ N, and longitude 6°43’ and 7°22’ E. The state shares borders with:

  1. Delta State to the west
  2. Imo and Rivers States to the south
  3. Enugu State to the east
  4. Kogi State to the north
  5. Abia State to the southeast
Anambra State
Capital: Akwa
Map of Anambra state nigeria Nickname: Light of the Nation
Date of Creation:August 27, 1991
LocationSouth East
Executive Governor:Charles Chukwuma Soludo
Deputy Governor:Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim
Population:4.1 million as at 2006 Census
Language:Igbo
LGA:21
Postal Code420001

Topography

Anambra’s topography is influenced by the states surrounding it. The terrain features lowlands, valleys, agricultural areas, and forests. Additionally, the Niger River, the largest water body in the region, serves as a major tributary to other regional rivers. This river also shapes the state’s landscape. A bridge connects the capital city of Delta State, Asaba, to Onitsha, providing a major route linking other southeastern states.

Vegetation

Vegetation in Anambra is found in both the northern and southern parts of the state. The north is characterized by open grasslands, with some areas containing hardwood trees and oil palms. In contrast, the south features rainforest vegetation, with dense trees and grasses due to high humidity throughout the year.

Climate

Anambra experiences two main climate conditions annually: tropical rain and dry savanna seasons. The state receives approximately 212.36 mm of precipitation annually. Rainfall lasts about 243 days, from April to October, with September being the peak.

During the hot season, the average annual temperature is 28.99°C. This period is characterized by lower humidity and relatively cooler temperatures. The dry months run from November to March, with February being the driest month.

Additionally, the northeastern trade wind, known as harmattan, brings a dry, dusty climate from November to March.

Land Area & Population

The state occupies a total land area of 4,844 square kilometers, ranking 35th out of the 36 states in Nigeria in terms of land area.

The estimated population from the last census in 2006 was 4,177,821. An estimate for 2022 puts the growing population at 6,953,500, with a population density of 860 people per square kilometer.

Language

People from the region, native to the land, speak Igbo as their lingua franca. However, English is the officially accepted means of communication in public institutions, including both the private and government sectors.

Religion

Christianity is the most pronounced faith in Anambra. Traditional worshippers are distinct, with altars located in remote villages. The Basilica Cathedral in Onitsha GRA has the largest gathering of Catholic members in the town. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Onitsha and includes other parishes across the city. The Anglican Cathedral (All Saints Cathedral), also located in GRA Onitsha, is where you will find the largest gathering of Anglicans in loyalty to Almighty God. There are also Pentecostal churches in Anambra State, including the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Assemblies of God Church, Christ Embassy, and House on the Rock.

Occupation

The people of Anambra State engage in various occupations, with agriculture being the primary one. They cultivate crops such as cassava, yam, maize, oil palm, and rice. In the riverine areas, many earn a living through fishing.

Trade and commerce, particularly in goods and electronics, are also common among the people. Cities like Onitsha and Nnewi serve as central commercial hubs, where large-scale buying and selling take place, making them some of the busiest markets in West Africa.

How many local governments 

Anambra has 21 LGAs, each governed by elected chairpersons and councilors who serve three-year terms. Here is the list of the state’s administrative units.

LGALGALGA
1. Aguata11. Ihiala19. Orumba South
2. Anambra East12. Njikoka20. Oyi
3. Anambra West13. Nnewi North21. Nnokwa
4. Awka North14. Nnewi South
5. Awka South15. Ogbaru
6. Ayamelum16. Onitsha North
7. Dunukofia17. Onitsha South
8. Ekwusigo18. Orumba North
9. Idemili North
10. Idemili South

Who Was The First Governor Of Anambra State?

John Kpera, The First Governor Of Anambra State

Anambra has undergone different degrees of transformation under various governors, both military and civilian. However, notably, who was the first person to rule the state? After Anambra was separated from the East Central State, John Atom Kpera became the first governor of Anambra State as a military administrator. He was appointed during the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime and served until July 1978. John Kpera is from Gboko, a local government area in the current Benue State. He was born in January 1941. After completing secondary school, John joined the Nigerian military and later completed his military cadet course at the Haile Selassie Military Academy in Ethiopia in 1962.

John Kpera had a distinguished career in the military, holding several important positions. Among these were serving as the Brigadier Commander of the Corps of Engineers and Regimental Commander, among others. He was also a military governor of Benue State, serving from 1984 to 1985. One of his notable achievements as governor was enforcing an initiative that encouraged people to clean their environment, with military supervisors overseeing the process. This initiative was later upheld by the governor who succeeded him.

Who Is The Current Governor Of Anambra State? 

Charles Chukwuma Soludo. current governor of Anambra state 2022

Charles Chukwuma Soludo is the current governor of Anambra State. He is a banker, economist, and politician in Nigeria. Soludo was born on July 28, 1960, in Aguata, Anambra State, where he spent his early life. He graduated from Uga Boys’ College and obtained a first-class bachelor’s degree in Economics, followed by a master’s degree and a doctorate in the same field from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. During his educational phases, he was celebrated as the best student of his time.

Chukwuma Soludo started his career as a professor of Economics at Nsukka. As a scholar, he has had many affiliations with international institutions, including Oxford University and Cambridge University, among others. Being a trained economist, he has not only taught at prestigious universities abroad but also written many books bearing his name.

Particularly, on May 29, 2004, he became the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a position he held until May 29, 2009. During his tenure as CBN governor, Soludo implemented significant reforms that positively transformed the financial sector in Nigeria, ensuring that Nigerian banks had a solid financial foundation. Banks that failed to meet his policies were forced to exit the industry.

A man of stature and insight, Soludo later ventured into politics with the aim of transforming Nigerian politics, as he had done with the financial sector. He first contested for the governorship of Anambra State in 2009 under the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) but Lost to Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In 2013, he left the PDP and joined APGA. In 2021, Soludo expressed interest in running for the governorship of Anambra once again. This aspiration became a reality when he won the Anambra gubernatorial election. He took office on March 17, 2022, as the 5th civilian governor of Anambra State.

Who Is The Deputy Governor Of Anambra State?

Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim, deputy governor of Anambra state 2022

Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim is the current Deputy Governor of Anambra State. He was born on November 19, 1978, and is a medical doctor turned politician. Ibezim hails from Ovulu, a village in Mbaukwu, Anambra State. He is married and a Christian by faith. He is also the younger brother of Reverend Alexander Ibezim, the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and the Bishop of the Awka Diocese. Gilbert attended Federal Government College Minna in Niger State and later obtained a BSc from the College of Medicine at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Nnewi Campus.

Prior to becoming the Deputy Governor, Gilbert worked with the Nigerian Ministry of Defense as part of his early career. In politics, he served as a Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Traditional Medicine and Herbal Practices from 2018 to 2022. He was also a Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment from 2014 to 2017 during Obiano’s first tenure. The trained medical doctor is seen as a youth leader and spokesperson, and is expected to reach greater political heights in the future.

List Of All Governors Of Anambra State  Till Presents

This is a comprehensive list of the governors of Anambra State, including both military administrators and civilians:

NameOffice PeriodParty
John Atom KperaMar 1976 – Jul 1978Military
(Governor)
Col. Datti Sadiq AbubakarJul 1978 – Oct 1979Military
(Governor)
Jim NwobodoOct 1979 – Oct 1983NPP
(Governor)
Christian OnohOct 1983 – Dec 1983NPN
(Governor)
Allison MaduekeJan 1984 – Aug 1985Military
(Governor)
Samson OmeruahAug 1985 – Dec 1987Military
(Governor)
Robert AkonobiDec 1987 – Aug 1990Military
(Governor)
Herbert EzeAug 1990 – Jan 1992Military
(Governor)
Joseph Abulu27 Aug 1991 – Jan 1992Military
(Administrator)
Chukwuemeka Ezeife2 Jan 1992 – 17 Nov 1993SDP
(Governor)
Dabo AliyuNov 1993 – Dec 1993Police
(Acting Admin.)
Mike Attah9 Dec 1993 – 21 Aug 1996Military
(Administrator)
Rufai Garba21 Aug 1996 – 6 Aug 1998Military
(Administrator)
Emmanuel Ukaegbu6 Aug 1998 – 29 May 1999Military
(Administrator)
Chinwoke Mbadinuju29 May 1999 – 29 May 2003PDP
(Governor)
Chris Ngige29 May 2003 – 17 Mar 2006PDP
(Governor)
Peter Obi17 Mar 2006 – 3 Nov 2006APGA
(Governor)
Virginia Etiaba3 Nov 2006 – 9 Feb 2007APGA
(Governor)
Peter Obi9 Feb 2007 – 17 Mar 2014APGA
(Governor)
Willie Obiano17 Mar 2014 – 17 Mar 2022APGA
(Governor)
Charles Chukwuma Soludo17 Mar 2022 – PresentAPGA
(Governor)

Places of Tourist Attraction  In Anambra State

Anambra boasts some of the best tourist destinations in Nigeria. Popular sites include the Ogbunike Caves, Owerre Ezukala, and Ogba Waterfalls. The Ogbunike Caves are the largest in West Africa and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They hold great cultural significance for the local community, serving as a site for tradition and rituals.

The Ogba Waterfall takes about two hours to reach the peak, making it one of the most impressive waterfalls in West Africa.

Rojenny Village is another attraction, home to wild animals and ideal for relaxation. This tourist village features chimpanzees, baboons, alligators, and more. Additionally, there is a swimming pool and a children’s park for enjoyment.

For those interested in archaeological, cultural, and traditional religious artifacts, the Odinani Nri Museum is a must-visit.

Another notable tourist site is the Ikenga Virgin Forest, named for its untouched trees, which have never been harvested or planted in history.

Other notable tourist areas include Agulu Lake, the Obi of Onitsha’s palace, and Eze Nri.

Higher Institutions In Anambra

The state is not only known for commerce and trade but also as a center for education. It has several universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, offering higher learning and reflecting a high level of literacy in the state. One of the top universities in Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, popularly referred to as UNIZIK, is located here. Let’s take a look at the various institutions in Anambra:

NameTypeRemark
Public Institutions
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), AwkaFederalModern Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, Facilities in Umunya and Ukpo, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Agulu, School of Preliminary Studies at Mbaukwu, College of Agriculture
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, AwkaStateFormerly Anambra State University
Polytechnics
Federal Polytechnic, OkoFederal
Anambra State Polytechnic, MgbakwuStateFormerly Anambra State College of Agriculture
Colleges
Federal College of Education (Technical), UmunzeFederal
Nwafor Orizu University of Education, NsugbeStateFormerly Nwafor Orizu College of Education
Private Institutions
Paul University, AwkaPrivate
Madonna University, OkijaPrivateFirst Catholic university in Nigeria
Tansian University, UmunyaPrivate
Legacy University, OkijaPrivate
St. Peter’s University, AchinaPrivate
University of America College of Science and TechnologyPrivate
Polytechnics
Grundtvig Polytechnic, ObaPrivate
Buckingham Academy of Management and Technology, OgidiPrivate
Colleges
Onit College of Education, MbaukwuPrivate
UA College of Science & Technology, IsuofiaPrivate

Popular People from Anambra

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was a prominent Nigerian politician. He was born on November 16, 1904, in Zungeru. He was an active statesman during the struggle for Nigerian independence from British rule. Nnamdi Azikiwe served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. His influence on Nigeria’s freedom and his love for his country will be remembered throughout history.

Another renowned figure is Dr. Alex Ekwueme. He was born on October 22, 1932, and hailed from Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was a politician, architect, and businessman, becoming the first executive vice president of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983.

Chukwuemeka “Emeka” Odumegwu Ojukwu, the leader of the Biafran secessionist group, was also from Anambra. He was born on November 4, 1933, and died on November 26, 2011. A native of Nnewi, Ojukwu was a military officer and politician. He served as the military governor of the Eastern Region and later declared the independent state of Biafra. During the Nigerian Civil War, he was the president of the Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970.

Additionally, Dora Akunyili was born on July 14, 1954, in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra. She was the former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), serving from 2001 to 2008. She passed away on June 7, 2014.

Moreover, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo is from Anambra State. He was born on July 28, 1960, in Aguata Local Government Area. An economist and banker, he previously served as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from May 4, 2004, to May 29, 2009. He was elected governor of Anambra on March 17, 2022.

Furthermore, Peter Gregory Obi was born on July 19, 1961. He hails from Anaocha Local Government Area. A Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist, he served as the governor of Anambra State and was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023. He was a close rival to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was declared the winner of the Nigerian presidential election in 2023

Hints

Anambra State, Nigeria, lies in the eastern part of the country. It was created on 27th August 1991 and has 21 local government areas. The state’s topography and vegetation support agriculture. As of 2022, its population is about 6.6 million. The indigenes speak the Igbo dialect and are predominantly Christian. Farming thrives in rural areas, while cities like Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka have many businesspeople.

Anambra is also a tourist destination, attracting visitors to its historical caves. The state has produced many notable figures, including the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first president. Peter Obi, a 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate advocating change, hails from Anambra. Though there are wealthy individuals from the region, no confirmed source has identified the richest person in Anambra today.

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