Imo State

Imo state is in the SouthEast geopolitical zone of Nigeria with its capital at Owerri. Other prominent towns in Imo state include Orlu, Okigwe, Mbaise, Mbaano, and Ikeduru. Imo state shares boundaries with Abia, Delta, Anambra and Rivers State.

Imo state has a total of 27 LGAs which include Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihite Mbaise, Ideato north, Ideato South, Ihitte/ Uboma, Ikeduru, Isiala ,Mbano, Isu, Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Obowo, Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Okigwe, Onuimo, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru west, Owerri municipal, Owerri north, and Owerri west. The state is majorly populated by members of the Igbo tribe with an estimated total population of 3,934, 899. The major religious persuasion in Imo state is Christianity while Igbo and English languages are the predominant means of communication. Popular festivals held in Imo state include the Ahajioku, Ikeji, Eyiri-eyi, Iwa-akwa, New yam, Okorosha, Inunkwu, Iri ji, Mbomuzo, Ntumamka, Egbe nkwu, Okonko masquerade, Igbu ewu ukwu, Owu, Ekpukele, Nta Cultural, Itu aka, Riforo, Oruru ukwu, Ibo uzo, Isuachara, Mkpukpuozu, Onwu awaka, and Ebuebu festivals.

Popular dishes served in Imo state include the widely enjoyed Ofe owerri and the Ofe oha which is usually served with eba or cassava. Landmarks in Imo state include the Imo state University, the International conference center and the Dan Anyiam Sports stadium which is the home of Heartland football club of Owerri; a professional football club that plays in the premier division of Nigeria's domestic football league. Tertiary Institutions in Imo state include the Imo state University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Eastern Palm University Ogboko, Imo state Polytechnic Umuagwo, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, and the Technological skills Acquisition Institute Orlu. Tourist attractions in Imo state include the Oguta lake, Mbari cultural center, Nekede zoo, Ngwu Natural spring, Okigwe Rolling hills, Assumpta Cathedral, National Museum Owerri, and the Owerri Amusement Park.    

 

IMO STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Imo State is Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

IMO STATE SLOGAN

Eastern Heartland

GEOGRAPHY OF IMO STATE

Imo state is characterized by the presence of popular water bodies which include Imo river, Oguta lake and Njaba river. The total area of Imo state is estimated at 5,530 km squared and the state has two major seasons which are the rainy and dry seasons  with the total annual rainfall estimated at 2600 mm.

Imo state falls under the Tropical Savannah climate with the average temperature at 27.5 degrees centigrade while the topography consists of flat lands which are arable and feature landscapes containing substantial amounts of loamy and sandy soils.

ECONOMY OF IMO STATE

Imo state is known for its agricultural activities especially in the cultivation of oil palm. The State has the largest palm oil plantation in the whole of Nigeria situated at Ohaji-Egbema.  Other crops grown in Imo state include yam, cassava, and cocoyam.

Also, Imo state witnesses trade of a plethora of commodities with popular markets such as the Eke ukwu market, Afor Ogbe market, Ekpakpa market Isinweke, Orlu main market, imternational market Orlu,. Orie Agu Nsu market, Anara market Isiala Mbano, Okigwe market, Christ Church market, the World bank market and the Imo International Modern market contributing immensely to the state's economy. 

Also, a number of mineral resources are found in Imo state and these include crude oil, natural gas, lead, calcium carbonate, zinc, clay, sand, limestone, Shale, Kaolin, laterite, salt, marble, gypsum, and bentonite.

HISTORY OF IMO STATE

Imo state was created in 1976 following the disintegration of the East Central State with its name derived from the Imo river. The  first administrator of Imo state was Ndubuisi Kanu and he led the State from 1976-1977. The full list of past governors/administrators of Imo state include

Ndubuisi Kanu- 1976- 1977

Adekunle Lawal - 1977-1978

Sunday Adenihun - 1978-1979

Samuel Mbakwe- 1979-1983

Ike Nwachukwu- 1984 -1985

Alison Madueke- 1985- 1986

Amadi Ikwechegh- 1986-1990

Anthony Oguguo - 1990-1992

Evans Enwerem - 1992 - 1993

James Aneke- 1993-1996

Tanko Zubairu - 1996- 1999

Achike Udenwa- 1999- 2007

Ikedi Ohakim- 2007- 2011

Rochas Okorocha - 2011 to date.