Anambra State

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Anambra is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its boundaries are formed by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The origin of the name is derived from the Omambala River -which is easily called Anambra River depending on which dialect used in pronouncing it. Omambala River is on the northern part of Anambra state and stretches to the famous River Niger.

The ethnic group in Anambra state is the Igbos (90% of population). [2] The state has one of the highest population densities in Nigeria. The stretch of more than 60KM between Oba and Uli contains a cluster of numerous thickly populated villages and small towns giving the area an estimated density of 1500-2000 persons living within every square kilometer of the area. Although most of the population is overwhelmingly rural, over the last two decades the rural/urban exodus has caused a shift in that balance. The shift of human migration has posed problems regarding the state's resources, infrastructure, environmental sanitation, erosion control and social services. This increase in demand is especially evident in its huge commercial city of Onitsha. Pipe borne water, electricity and housing for the many residents of Onitsha are a challenge for many.

Anambra is rich in natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, ceramics and almost 100 percent arable soil. Most of its natural resources remain largely untapped.

The state governor since 2003 has been Dr. Chris Ngige, but he was removed in March 2006 when the Court of Appeal in Enugu asserted that his election victory in 2003 was rigged.^[1] He was succeeded by Peter Obi, who in turn was ousted by a faction of the Anambra State House of Assembly on November 2, 2006 and replaced by Virginia Etiaba.^[2] On February 9, 2007 Mrs. Etiaba handed power back to Obi after the Court of Appeal had nullified Obi's removal.^[3]

The state has experienced political turmoil over the past several years, which includes an attempted coup against the government in 2003.

On June 14, 2007 the Supreme Court of Nigeria removed Governor Andy Uba from office and replaced him with his predecessor Peter Obi—citing an illegality in Governor Uba's election on April 14, 2007. [3]

Anambra possesses a history that stretches back to the 9th century AD, as revealed by archaeological excavations at Igbo-Ukwu and Ezira; these findings revealed a greater number of details on the ancient Nri-Igbo kingdom, which held sway in the area of Anambra and Akwa Ibom from c. 800 AD to 1900.

Old Anambra State was created in 1976 from part of East Central State, and its capital was Enugu. A further re-organisation in 1991 divided Anambra into two states, Anambra and Enugu. The capital of Anambra is Awka.

The main towns of Anambra state are Awka, Agulu, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ogidi, Obosi, Ihiala, Amichi, Uga, Uli, Abagana, Alor, Atani, Nkpor, Eziowelle, Oba, Omor, Ichi, Ojoto, Oraifite, Ozubulu, Umuawulu, Umuoji, Umunachi, Umudioka, Unubi, Umunya, Umuleri, Aguleri,Ekwulobia, Igbukwu, Ichida, Akwaukwu, Uke, Ukpo, Okija, Oraukwu, Otu-ocha, Nnobi, Ideani, Adazi Nnukwu, Adazi Enu,Umuanaga, Adazi Ani, Nanka, Nneni, Nmiata-Anam, Awkuzu, Enugwu-Ukwu, Enugwu-Agidi, Nawfia, Amawbia,Nri and Ichida. There are 21 local government areas in the state:

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