Aba Aba Ngwa Enyimba City |
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City | |
A street in Aba
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Nickname(s): Enyimba | |
Location in Nigeria | |
Coordinates: 5°07′N 7°22′E / 5.117°N 7.367°E | |
Country | Nigeria |
State | Abia |
LGA | Aba South and Aba North |
Government | |
• Governor | Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP) |
Area | |
• Total | 72 km2 (28 sq mi) |
Elevation | 205 m (673 ft) |
Population (2006 census) | |
• Total | 534,265 |
• Density | 7,400/km2 (19,000/sq mi) |
• Ethnicity | Igbo, others |
• Ethnicity density | 7,000/km2 (20,000/sq mi) |
• Religion | Christianity, Omenala |
Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
Postcode | 450... |
Area code(s) | 082 |
Climate | Am |
Website | http://www.abiastateonline.com/ |
Aba is a city in the southeast of Nigeria and the commercial nerve center of Abia State. Upon the creation of Abia state in 1991, Aba was divided into two local governments areas namely; Aba South and Aba North. Aba south is the main city centre and the heart beat of Abia State, south-east Nigeria. It is located on the Aba River. Aba is made up many villages such as; Aba-Ukwu, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba,Umuokpoji-Aba and other villages from Ohazu merged due to administrative convenience. Aba was established by the Ngwa clan of Igbo People of Nigeria as a market town and then later a military post was placed there by the British colonial administration in 1901. It lies along the west bank of the Aba River, and is at the intersection of roads leading to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, and Ikot Abasi. The city became a collecting point for agricultural products following the British made railway running through it to Port Harcourt. Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial centre in a region that is surrounded by small villages and towns. The indigenous people of Aba are the Ngwa. Aba is well known for its craftsmen. As of 2006 census, Aba had a population of 534,265.
Aba as a City is made up of many villages namely; Aba-Ukwu, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba and Umuokpoji-Aba but the villages in Ohazu have been merged with Aba so as to achieve administrative convenience. Aba-Ukwu is apparently the premier village in Aba, little wonder the late Eze W.E Ukaegbu of Aba-Ukwu was known and referred to as the 9th Grand Son of Aba.
Hence the owners of Aba are often referred to as Aba la Ohazu indigenes and Chief Ogbonna Uruakpa Nkwoha of Eziukwu Village was made the King of Aba and the only recognised Royal throne by the Queen of England.
It eventually became an administrative centre of Britain's colonial government. Aba has been a major commercial centre since it became part of the old Eastern region.