Enugu is the capital of Enugu State in Nigeria. It is located in southeastern Nigeria. The city had a population of 722,664 according to the disputed 2006 Nigerian census and nearly 2 million according to 2015 estimates. In bringing Nigerians into the know about things that matter about Nigerian states, INFORMATION NIGERIA has put together 5 things to know about the state.
– The name Enugu is derived from two Igbo words, Énú Ụ́gwụ́ meaning “hill top” denoting the city’s hilly geography.
– Enugu was founded in 1909, when Mr. Kikson, a British Mining Engineer, stumbled on large coal reserves in the Udi ridge while looking for silver. Lord Lugard, the then Colonial Governor, took keen interest in the unexpected discovery, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made.
– The discovery of coal by the colonialists led to the building of the Eastern Line railway to carry coal from the inland city to the port of Port Harcourt, a city created for this purpose located 151 miles (243 km) south of what was called Enugu Coal Camp.
– Enugu acquired township status in 1917 and was called Enugwu-Ngwo, but because of the rapid expansion towards areas owned by other indigenous communities, the city was renamed Enugu in 1928.
– On 30 May 1967, Enugu was declared the capital of the short-lived Republic of Biafra; for this Enugu is known as the “capital of Igboland.” After Enugu was captured by the Nigerian armed forces, the Biafran capital was moved to Umuahia.
– The tallest building in Enugu’s Central Business District (CBD) is the African Continental Bank (ACB) tower with six stories
– The Enugu State government sought to check the high kidnapping rates in the state by passing a bill on February 2009 that made kidnapping by the use of a weapon a capital offence; the bill was passed by the Enugu House of Assembly unanimously.
– If you decide to visit Enugu, IMT Sculptural garden and art gallery, Polo amusement park, Coal mines (Onyeama and Okpara), Historical monuments (e.g. Eastern region Parliamentary building and old Governor’s lodge), Zoo, Enugu national museum are notable tourist centres you should visit.
– Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson popularly known as Phyno, Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Patience Ozokwor, and Jay jay Okocha are some of the notable Nigerians born in Enugu.
What do you think???
