Umuahia

Umuahia is the capital city of Abia state found in the SouthEast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The town has two local government areas; Umuahia North and Umuahia South. The Igbo are the predominant tribe in Umuahia with the Igbo and English languages as the main means of communication. Tertiary institutions in Umuahia include the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike and the National Open University of Nigeria. Healthcare establishments in Umuahia include the Federal Medical Center, Abia state specialist hospital and diagnostic center, Obioma hospital and Maternity, Priscillia memorial hospital, Anaelechi hospital, Madonna catholic hospital, and the Dr Chukwuebuka Hospital.  

Umuahia has an estimated population of 788,904 inhabitants spread over districts/streets/towns such as Ohuhu, Olokoro, Ubakala, Ibeku, Afara, Amuzukwu, Ossah, Ugwunchara, World bank, Awolowo street, Aguiyi Ironsi layout, Cemetry road, Umuwaya road, and Clifford road. Christianity is the main religious affiliation in Umuahia while the city offers several indigenous dishes which include the Ofe Okazi and the Akpuruakpu mgbam. Notable landmarks in the city of Umuahia include the Government College Umuahia, the Federal High court, National war Museum, Akwete weavers, Ojukwu's bunker, Abia tower, D Place, Kwa Ibo River, and the Umuahia township stadium.

GEOGRAPHY

Umuahia town falls under the Tropical Monsoon climate and covers a total area of 245 km squared. Umuahia has a humidity of 60 percent with an average temperature of 27 degrees centigrade.

The two major seasons in Umuahia are the rainy and the dry seasons with the northeast trade wind bringing a brief harmattan within the dry season.

ECONOMY

The city of Umuahia has a vibrant Agricultural sector. Most of the city’s inhabitants engage in subsistence agriculture with crops such as yam, cassava, oil palm and citrus fruits.

Also, the city has a vibrant commercial sector with markets such as the Umuahia main market, New Timbershed market, Orie Ugba market, Afo Ibeji market, Ossah market, Ahia Eke market and the Ubani Modern market adding to the economic life of the city.

HISTORY

The place now known as Umuahia was originally populated by members of the Ibeku clan. The city’s name was gottten from Oma ahia which translates as market center. The town of Umuahia witnessed the arrival of the British colonialists in the late 19th century.

In the pre-colonial era, the city of Umuahia was a major trade center for pottery, textile, palm wine and traditional medicine. Umuahia was named the capital of the Republic of Biafra on the 28th day of September 1967 during the Nigerian Civil war that lasted from 1967-1970.