Nsukka

Nsukka
—  Town  —
Nsukka
Coordinates: 6°51′24″N 7°23′45″E / 6.85667°N 7.39583°E / 6.85667; 7.39583Coordinates: 6°51′24″N 7°23′45″E / 6.85667°N 7.39583°E / 6.85667; 7.39583
Country	Nigeria
State	Enugu State
Area
- Total	17.5 sq mi (45.38 km2)
Elevation	1,810 ft (552 m)
Population (2006 Census)[1]
- Total	309,633
3-digit postal code prefix	410
ISO 3166 code	NG.EN.NS

Nsukka is a town and Local Government Area in South-East Nigeria in Enugu State. Other towns that share common border with Nsukka, such as Enugu Ezike, Orba and Obollo-Afor (formerly centre of the palm oil trade), Ede-Oballa, Uzo Uwani and Mkpologwu, now also claim the name Nsukka, hence they all collectively fall into the political zoning system in Nigeria known as Senatorial Zone. As of 2007 Nsukka Cultural Zone had an estimated population of 1377001. Nsukka Town is known as the site of the University of Nigeria, the first indigenous Nigerian University, founded by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria. Currently the town has a number of Federal Parastatals in the University such as NABDA, CBSS, and the Energy Research Centre.

The LGA

Nsukka LGA has an area of 1,810 km² and a population of 309,633 at the 2006 census. The Local Government Headquarters is located in the hilly and green sites which Nsukka is known for close to colonial quarters of the pre-Independence years. Presently the Chairman of the Local Government Area council is Bar. Anthony Okechi Ugwu who assumed leadership in early 2010.

The postal code of the area is 410.^[2]

History

Nsukka is home to members of the Igbo ethnic group. Little is known about the history of Nsukka except that the Kingdom of Nri had contact with Nsukka in earlier periods. In July 1967, Nsukka was one of the first Biafran towns to be captured by the northern Nigerian forces during their so-called 'police action' at the outset of the Nigerian-Biafran War. This action, during which Nsukka's university was burned down, created many refugees and contributed to the chaos and suffering inherent in this bloody conflict.^[3] Barrister Tony Ugwu is the New chairman of Nsukka local government.

Events

According to Benjamin Chinweike Ezema (now called Ezemmah) Nsukka is a town that is made up of three prominent communities; the Nkpunanor community, the Ihe n'Owerre community and the Nru community. Oral history about Nsukka Town has it that it has a very close tie with three other neighbouring towns ; Obukpa, Okpuje and Eha as they are said to have common ancestral origin. The first three - Nsukka, Obukpa and Okpuje are siblings of Asadu Ideke Alumona while the last - Eha is a relation to the earlier three. The town is therefore called 'Eha-Alumona'. Nsukka town has very ancient culture and tradition which is almost lost in antiquity due to the late awakening of the indigenes to the relevance and necessity of the pursuit of intellectual erudition and research. Each of these communities is composed of many other small villages and clans.

There are a number of festivals celebrated in Nsukka by the Nsukka people, such as the Omabe Masquerade Festival; the Onwa Eto, or Onwa Ito (the 3rd moon) Festival, which is characterized by the slaughtering of several fowls in each household for each child in the household and in memory of deceased family members; the Onwa Ise (the 5th moon Festival - which is also known as the moon that marks the beginning of the harvesting of yams (some people call it the New Yam Festival); Onwa Esa'a (the 7th moon Festival); the Onunu Festival which is characterized by the going to 'Nkwo' market Arena (where the 'Oromme' Dance, traditional wrestling, etc., was performed); The Onwa Esa'a (the 7th Moon Festival) was noted as the period for the commencement of the eating of the dried cocoyam (Echicha). Of the numerous festivals by which Nsukka was known, only the Omaba festival is still being celebrated in the town.

Education

Nsukka has some of the most recognized educational institutions in southeastern Nigeria including St. Teresa's College, Nsukka (all boys)right at the heart of Nsukka and run by the Catholic Church is one of the oldest in Nsukka township. Another is the Anglican Boy's Secondary School, Queen of the Holy Rosary Secondary School, St Cyprian's Special Science School Nsukka, which is an all science boarding school for girls, among others.

References

1. ^ Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (15 May 2007). "Legal Notice on Publication of the Details of the Breakdown of the National and State Provisional Totals 2006 Census" (PDF). http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/nbsapps/Connections/Pop2006.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-01. 
2. ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. http://www.nipost.gov.ng/PostCode.aspx. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
3. ^ http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1969/10/04/1969_10_04_047_TNY_CARDS_000292619 Renata Adler, Letter from Biafra: The New Yorker