Who We Are
Background
Enugu State emerged from the old Anambra State – one of nine states created by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration on August 27, 1991. It covers an area approximately 12,727 square kilometers (32,974 square miles), and has a population of 5,590,513 (2005 census). Situated on much of the highlands of Awgu, Nsukka and Udi hills and the Oji-River basin, Enugu State is one of the states of the south eastern part of Nigeria. It shares borders with Abia State to the south; Anambra State to the west; Benue State to the northeast; Ebony State to the east; and Kogi State to the northwest. The state lies partly within the Equatorial rain forest belt to the south, and the tropical rain Savannah (grassland) belt to the north. Its physical features and vegetation change gradually in the northeastern direction from the tropical rain forests to open woodlands, and then to Savannah grasslands, as it approached its northern boundaries.
Like most African names, the nomenclature "Enugu" portrays an immediate meaning, having been situated on the rolling hills of Awgu, Nsukka and Udi and with a capital city also called "Enugu" which in Igbo language means “top of the hill” or “hill-top”. The city of Enugu evolved following the discovery of coal in 1909 in Enugu Ngwo, a village at the top of the Udi Hills. Enugu as a city has had a checkered history. Starting from its choice over Calabar as the headquarters of the Eastern Province of the Southern Protectorate (in 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates were joined together into a colony – the present day Nigeria), it has served as the seat of government for Eastern Nigeria until May 30, 1967 when the Eastern Region seceded and declared itself the Republic of Biafra. Enugu served as the political capital of that three-year old republic (1967-1970); then the East Central State; followed by the former Anambra State up until August 26, 1991.
Though a land-locked state, Enugu, the capital city is located approximately 2-1/2 driving hours from Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri – all coastal cities with major shipping ports. Enugu is also located within one hour from Onitsha (Anambra State) and two hours from Aba (Abia State), both commercial centers. The city is also located within five hours from Abuja, and seven hours from Lagos, which are respectively the administrative and commercial headquarters of Nigeria.
Enugu State emerged from the old Anambra State – one of nine states created by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration on August 27, 1991. It covers an area approximately 12,727 square kilometers (32,974 square miles), and has a population of 5,590,513 (2005 census). Situated on much of the highlands of Awgu, Nsukka and Udi hills and the Oji-River basin, Enugu State is one of the states of the south eastern part of Nigeria. It shares borders with Abia State to the south; Anambra State to the west; Benue State to the northeast; Ebony State to the east; and Kogi State to the northwest. The state lies partly within the Equatorial rain forest belt to the south, and the tropical rain Savannah (grassland) belt to the north. Its physical features and vegetation change gradually in the northeastern direction from the tropical rain forests to open woodlands, and then to Savannah grasslands, as it approached its northern boundaries.
Like most African names, the nomenclature "Enugu" portrays an immediate meaning, having been situated on the rolling hills of Awgu, Nsukka and Udi and with a capital city also called "Enugu" which in Igbo language means “top of the hill” or “hill-top”. The city of Enugu evolved following the discovery of coal in 1909 in Enugu Ngwo, a village at the top of the Udi Hills. Enugu as a city has had a checkered history. Starting from its choice over Calabar as the headquarters of the Eastern Province of the Southern Protectorate (in 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates were joined together into a colony – the present day Nigeria), it has served as the seat of government for Eastern Nigeria until May 30, 1967 when the Eastern Region seceded and declared itself the Republic of Biafra. Enugu served as the political capital of that three-year old republic (1967-1970); then the East Central State; followed by the former Anambra State up until August 26, 1991.
Though a land-locked state, Enugu, the capital city is located approximately 2-1/2 driving hours from Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri – all coastal cities with major shipping ports. Enugu is also located within one hour from Onitsha (Anambra State) and two hours from Aba (Abia State), both commercial centers. The city is also located within five hours from Abuja, and seven hours from Lagos, which are respectively the administrative and commercial headquarters of Nigeria.