Enugu State
Enugu, a corruption of the phrase Enu Ugwu, loosely meaning ‘hill top’ is a State popular for its beautiful landscape, hilly and mountainous terrains.
Enugu State, specifically, the Nsukka area has evidence of the first cradle of human existence as old as 4500 years. Excavated materials like rock shelters, stone tools, clay pot sherds, were discovered, not directly implying that the inhabitants were Igbo, but that human life existed at that time.
The Coal City State or 042 as its fondly called was created via a military decree by the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime on the 2th of August, 1991. Enugu which was hitherto the capital of the Old Anambra State, was made a new State, with 17 new local governments existing today.
The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a British mining engineer named Albert Kitson. In his quest for silver, he discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Enugu having the highest deposit of coal became the source of the ‘oil’ that would drive the British economy in the industrial revolution. This is why Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, was connected by rail to Port Harcourt, from where it was be shipped to Europe.
Apart from the coal, the favourable weather conditions contributed to its township status in 1917. Foreign businesses moved into Enugu, the most notable of which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, the British Bank of West Africa and the United Africa Company. Furthermore, the town increasingly became a residential area of first choice. It had a long history of serving as an administrative seat for the same reason highlighted earlier-Administrative headquarters of Southern and Eastern Provinces (1929), Eastern Region (1954-1967), defunct State of Biafra, during the civil war (1967-1970), East Central State (1970-1976) and old Anambra State (1976-1991).
HISTORY
GEOGRAPHY
Enugu State is one of the 5 States in the south eastern region of Nigeria. A region that is home to the Igbo. Enugu, with a land surface area of over 7,000 km2 shares borders with Abia and Imo States to the south, Ebonyi State to the east, Benue State to the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra State to the west.
Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, is connected to Port Harcourt via a 150-mile (240 km) rail line and at the intersection of roads from Aba, Onitsha, and Abakaliki. It is approximate one hour away from Onitsha and two driving hours away from Aba.
The average temperature in this State is cooler to mild (60 degrees Fahrenheit) in its cooler months and gets warmer to hot in its warmer months (upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Enugu has a good climatic condition all year round, sitting at about 223 metres (732 ft) above sea level. The mean temperature in Enugu State in the hottest month of February is about 87.16 °F (30.64 °C), while the lowest temperatures occur in the month of November, reaching 60.54 °F (15.86 °C). The lowest rainfall of about 0.16 cubic centimetres (0.0098 cu in) is seen in February, while the highest is about 35.7 cubic centimetres (2.18 cu in) in the month of July. The harmattan wind in Enugu is intense due to the elevated grounds and mountains.
Finally, Enugu State is marred by water scarcity due to its topography, leaving over two million residents without basic access to water.
According to the 2006 census, Enugu State was at an estimated population of 3,267,837 (1,596,042-males and 1,671,795- females). Enugu State is also densely populated, and is rated at 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi). Latest estimations have pegged the State’s population at six million, with an exceptionally young demography due to the concentration of higher institutions, one of the highest in the country.
Additionally, the State's area code is 042, while its ISO 3166 code is NG-EN.
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY
Historically, Enugu State like other Igbo societies was majorly an agrarian economy. With a fertile soil and abundant agricultural produces, the people were predominantly farmers and petty traders. But, the coming of the British in the 1900s, ushered in a new colonial economy which was coerced on the people which saw a large percentage of them involved in the civil service. The State served as the administrative seat of the British for the Southern and Eastern provinces, the residential area for the colonial officials and stake holders of the Eastern territories, coal and Iron ore mining. Like other Igbo towns, they grew yam predominantly before colonialism, but the tide changed for palm produce, cassava, cotton to serve Britain’s economic needs. A growing suburb with rail lines, a National Coal Corporation headquartered there, an airport, and a rise in schools-all these led the people to opt for jobs around the civil service.
Currently a public sector driven economy, the State government is the highest single employer of labour. There is still a sharp contrast between the dominantly rural areas and the few urban areas of the State. This is due to the passive governments the State has suffered.
Nonetheless, taking advantage of the young population, a startup, entrepreneurial economy is taking shape in the State. With consistency and the appropriate government support, the State would serve as the face of the 21st century corporate economy in the South East.
Enugu State has a number of manufacturing companies like the Nigerian Breweries, Anammco Manufacturing plant, Solive Oil Industries, restaurants and hospitality suites. Nevertheless, there are still a number of unexploited sectors like the tourism and food processing industries. With the serene, mountainous and green environment, the State would excellently serve as a tourist hub. Additionally, with a fertile soil and a close proximity to Benue State (the food basket of the nation), mechanized farming, food processing plants which would solve the food waste, would sufficiently increase economic growth.
Finally, the informal economy continually blossoms with popular markets like the Ogbete Main market, Orie Orba, a popular grain market that serves both the South South and South East markets. Other popular markets are Ogige Main Market, Artisan, Keyatta. Worthy of mention is the undocumented intra and inter State trade networks. Case in point is the undocumented trade and export of local agricultural produce like Honey, Cashew nuts, Ogbonno seeds, Okpa, Palm wine, Palm Oil, Okpeye and Pepper from Nsukka majorly; Adani rice from Uzo-Uwani especially; Palm wine from Udi; Okro, Rice, Yam, Potatoes from Aninri etcetera. With a mechanized farming system and food processing plants, the economy of Enugu State would compete with some of the world’s best.
