Owerri

Owerri is the largest city and capital of Imo state found in the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The city of  Owerri comprises of three local government areas which are the Owerri Municipal, Owerri  North and Owerri  west. Owerri boasts an estimated population of about 1,104,557 inhabitants with the vast majority of the city’s dwellers being members of the Igbo ethnic group. Tertiary institutions in Owerri include the Imo state University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, and the Federal Polytechnic.

The dominant religious practice in Owerri is Christianity while the Igbo and English languages are the commonly spoken languages. Popular districts in Owerri include Wetheral road, Tetlow, Aladinma estate, Uzi layout, Umueche, Ikenegbu layout, Umuodu, Nekede, New Owerri, Arugo layout, Ugwu Orji, and World bank. The city of Owerri features several notable landmarks which include the Imo state University, the Dan Anyiam Sports stadium, National Museum, Owerri Amusement Park, Nekede zoo, Owerri Mall, Channel O, Imo state Government House, and the magnificent Maria Assumpta cathedral. A number of hospitals are found in Owerri and these include the Federal Medical Center, Solid Rock hospital, Amanda Hospital, Umezurike hospital, Mark of Glory specialist hospital, Ezem Medical Center, Stella Maris Hospital, Pamela hospital, First Concept Hospital, Avon Healthcare Children's specialist hospital.

GEOGRAPHY

The city of Owerri covers a total area measuring about 100 km squared and falls under the tropical monsoon climate. The average humidity of Owerri is 78 percent with the two dominant seasons being the rainy and dry seasons with the harmattan making a cameo appearance within the dry season.

Owerri city lies within the banks of the Nworie and Otammiri rivers and has an estimated total annual rainfall of about 2750 mm.

ECONOMY

Owerri city is an Agricultural as well as a commercial town. Crops cultivated in the city include yams, cassava, corn, and oil palm. The city of Owerri is popularly referred to as the entertainment capital of Nigeria owing to the large number of hotels, casinos and relaxation centers spread over the city.

Owerri city also has substantial deposits of crude oil and natural gas and is officially listed as an oil producing region in Nigeria. Also, the Eke ukwu Owere market, World bank market, Owerri international market, Uloma food market, Amakohia market, Afor Ama market, New market and the Building materials market are popular sites for trading and acquisition of a variety of commodities.

HISTORY

Owerri was named the capital of the Biafra republic in 1969 during the Nigerian Civil war which lasted from 1967-1970. Also, the All Saints cathedral Egbu which is the first and largest Anglican Church in Owerri was the place where the first Bible in Igbo language was written.