Aba, Nigeria

Infobox Settlement
official_name =Aba
other_name = Enyimba City
native_name = Enyinmba
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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Nigeria
subdivision_type = Country
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subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Abia State
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population_as_of =2005
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population_total = 897,613
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population_blank1_title =Ethnicities
population_blank1 = Igbo
population_blank2_title =Religions
population_blank2 = Christianity, traditional
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latd=5 |latm=07 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=7 |longm=22 |longs= |longEW=E
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Aba is a city in Abia State, southern Nigeria, located on the Aba River. As of 2005 it had a population of 897,613.

History

Originally settled by the Ngwa Clan of the Igbo people, The current location of the city is based on land conceded to the British crown by the Eziukwu - Aba community. It eventually became an administrative center of Britain's colonial government. Aba is a major commercial center since it became part of the old Eastern region. In 1901, the British founded a military post in it, and in 1915, a railroad was constructed to link it to Port Harcourt, which transported agricultural goods such as palm oil and palm kernels; in 1929, it was the site of revolt by women histoically known as "The Aba Women Riot", in protest of colonial taxation policy. [Canby, Courtlandt. "The Encyclopedia of Historical Places, Vol 1" (New York: Facts on File Publications, 1984) p. 1] In 1967 duringthe height of Nigerian-Biafran War, the capital of the short-lived secessionist state of Biafra was moved to Aba from Enugu as Nigerian troops advanced into Biafra. The city of Aba has a current population estimate of 4 million hardworking inhanitants, albeit neglected by their government.cite web | url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?men=gpro&des=gamelan&geo=342378735 | title="The World Gazetteer" | accessdate=2007-02-20] It is surrounded by oil wells which separate it from the city of Port Harcourt, a distance of about 30 km; a 30 kilometer pipeline powers Aba with gas from the Imo River natural gas repository. Physically it is well connected, with roads leading to it from Port Harcourt, Owerri, Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, and Ikot Abasi [http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9003213 "Aba."] "Encyclopædia Britannica". 20 January 2007] .

Politics:Aba people has suffered a lot social injustice and marginalization by the government of the day. First the city was neglected by Ukpabi Asika who was the puppet governor of then Eastern State. Next were successive military adminitrators and governors who faired a bit better than Asika. In the 1980s when Aba fall under Imo state, Governor Mbakwe was hailed as a saviour and improved the city's infrastures beyond imagination with schools and roads that are still being used over 20 years later. Unfortunately, since the city came on the newly created state of Abia, the new political machinary of Orji uzor and his mother, and the subsequent imposition of the present Govenor in the person of T. A. Orji has reduced the city to the worst state of dilapidation. The roads are the worst in the country, there is relatively no infrastruture in the state to justify huge allocations from the Federal Government, as well revenue generated from the City of Aba. This revenue is quite big considering the commercial status of the city, garbage has taken over the city streets and illegal property levies imposed against residence.The Government of the day is not focused, and the lack of urban expansion plan for the city is not helping matters. The corruption of the current political hegemoney dominating and stangulating the city has continued the history of neglect to this day. Despite lack of state and federal developmental presence, the city has endured and strived on their own. Unemployment are at its highest with dilapidated hospitals and schools, crime, school drop-outs and general discontent are at its highest since the colonial era. With the former governor and his associates indicted for embezzlement of billions of dollars meant for the improvement of the state, many residents have argued that if a small portion of the loots were invested in the local industries, many of our youths will have jobs and education instead of a life of crime and hopelessness.

Business:Aba is a commercial city of international repute featuring a high concentration of small scale industries — and a number of sizable markets including the famous Ariaria market. It is very densely populated and has a high ratio of artisans in its population. Aba is nicknamed "Enyimba City" which means Elephant city. Administratively,the city falls into two local government areas namely:Aba North and Aba South.Aba North has its headquarters at Eziukwu-Aba,while Aba South has its headquarters at Aba Town Hall. Aba business men and women are very industrious and pride themselves as the Taiwan of Africa. Indegnious insdustrialists manufactures the following without government assistance: shoes, clothing, hand bags, paper, nail and steel, furniture household items, luggages, building matterials, soft-drinks(soda), etc. Dominating this commercial city are the Abiriba people who indtroduced importation and helped made Aba an international city that it is. With all the commercial success of Aba city, it could definitely rival the great China, Singapore and many other emerging markets if the federal government will be kind enough to declare the city A Free Trade and support its export initiatives and budding industries with petrol dollars.

Religion

Christianity

The city has played a lasting role in the Christian evangelism of the Southeast of Nigeria since the British brought the Church Missionary Society (CMS), an evangelism vehicle of then Church of England used to plant what today has become the Anglican Church of Nigeria. St. Michael's Cathedral Anglican Church might have been the first church in the city, founded in the late 1920s although St. James on the city edge (Asa Road) is the oldest church with various other Anglican church following. Most of the Primary and Secondary Schools mentioned above were founded by the CMS along with each of their Churches.

The Catholic Church was to follow and also created many churches; St. Joseph Cathedral, which for a long time was the biggest church in the city became its bishop's seat. Like the Anglican church, the Catholic Church attached schools to their churches with St. Joseph Girl Secondary School being of the best schools in the city.

With the arrival of the Pentecostal brand of Christianity (the evangelicals) in Nigeria, the city got an enormous share for itself. The Assemblies of God Church, being among the earliest, the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, etc had massive followership in the early 80s.

Aba is the location of the Aba Nigeria Temple, currently the only temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria.

And also a recently flourishing Pentecostal Chuirch known as the Living Word Ministries Inc.

Islam

Muslims and mosques are also present in Aba; the largest mosque is the Hospital Road Mosque. A Chief Imam is resident among the Hausa-peaking settlement in the heart of the city itself.

Education

Primary schools

Some of the well known primary schools include:
* Aba-Owerri Road Primary School
* Constitution Crescent (Santa Maria) Primary School
* Cameroun Barracks Primary School
* Golf Course Primary School
* St Bridget Primary School
* Abayi Umuocham Primary School
* Ndoki Road Primary School
* Danfodio Road Primary School
* Ehere Road Primary School
* Azikiwe Road Primary School
* Tenant Road Primary School
* Market Road Primary School
* Cameroun Road Primary School
* Hospital Road Primary School
* Okigwe Road Primary SchoolThe city has well over 90 primary schools, most running two sections of morning and afternoon. These sections, which are individual schools by themselves, operate 07:30Hrs - 12:30Hrs and 12:30Hrs - 17:30Hrs, all local time.

econdary schools

There are also a number of well known secondary schools like:
* (Igbo) National High School (Very successful in sporting events and have groomed many stars).
* Ngwa High School
* Girls' Technical College
* Sacred Heart College
* Eziama Boys High School
* Wilcox Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbor hill Aba)
* Community Girls Secondary School
* Secondary Technical School
* Nigerian Christian Seminary School
* Boys Technical College [BTC]
* Girls High School, Ogbor Hill.
* Ninlan Demonstration Secondary School.
* Ovom Girls High School, Ovom

Private schools in Nigeria

There are also numerous private schools, including:
* Evangel Seminary Ovom 1 Aba
* Dority International Secondary School (Hosts SAT and Toefl Exams for foreign colleges)
* St Bridget High School
* Living Word Academy secondary,Abayi,Aba.
* D-nals middle school,opobo Rd Aba.
* Presbyterian secondary school,Ehere.Aba.

Tertiary schools

The tertiary schools are:
* Abia State University Teaching Hospital
* Abia State Polytechnic
* School of Health Technology
* Redemtion College of Education (privately owned)
* Upcoming Rhema University (also privately owned)

Health

Aba has a number of hospitals including Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Wimpole Clinic, Horstman Hospital and a number of private hospitals.

Seventh-Day Adventist Health Center, Omoba Road, Aba.

Transport

Aba is served by a station and a halt (mini station) on Nigerian Railways. Aba is also a major hub for road transport in the region - a large number of transport companies operate coaches that transport people daily to various parts of the country. The city is second only to Onitsha in mass transportation daily volume in the eastern part of Nigeria. Other modes transportation used are motorcyclists, generally called "Okada" (the name being derived from an old airline, "Okada Air"

Seventh-Day Adventist Health Center, Ogbor Hill, Aba.

ports

Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, popularly called “The Peoples Elephant”, is the town's most popular football club. Enyimba FC's entire winning track-record is the richest among all Nigerian football clubs. With 2 CAF Champions League Trophies, and a number of trophies, won locally, the club is currently ranked 2nd in the CAF Club Rankings.

Music

The city of Aba is up and coming in the area of muxic with players of different indigenous band groups and outstanding players such as Keyboard- Stanley{stan piano groove}, Akachi {Jazz Priest}, Onyema{Gospel Bishop} Drums- Abraham{Suture} Promise Hills, Timipiere{Timaya}, Ifeanyi{paradiddle 'ik'}Guitar- Chuks CPM, Bass Guitar- Obed{Aka Nkwu}, Victor{Wooten} and other up and coming ones. Onyema Chuku{Gospel Bishop} is recently going into Jazz piano

References

There are three best keyboardists in Aba. Stanley, Newman and Onyema