Enugu State is located in the southeastern part of Nigeria and is one of the 36 States of the country. Nicknamed the “Coal City State” and created on the 27th of August 1991, the State derives her name from her capital – the city of Enugu – which is also the largest city in the State.
Date of creation: August 27, 1991
Slogan: Coal City State
Geopolitical zone: South East
Apart from the city of Enugu, the State also have some important cities, such as Nsukka, Agbani and Awgu.
History
As stated earlier, Enugu State actually derived her name from her capital city. The word “Enugu” itself was gotten from “Enu Ugwu”, which means “the top of the hill”.
According to history, the first European settlers arrived in the region back then in 1909. The party was led by a mining engineer known as Albert Kitson.
The British miner, in his quest for silver, discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Afterwards, the Colonial Governor of the country as at then – Frederick Lugard – became interested in the discovery, and after a lot of activities in the area, the first shipment of coal was made to Britain by 1914.
As the whites became more interested in the area due to its coal, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, and they also built a railway system.
The city of Enugu became angry important one foreign businesses began to move into the region (such as John Holt, Kingsway Stores and the British Bank of West Africa)
And so, from the coal city, the colonists were able to spread her influence over the Southern Province of the country (she was the capital of the Southern Provinces)
Enugu was also made the capital of the then Eastern Region. Even during the struggle to achieve an independent nation by the Igbos, Enugu was also made the capital of Biafra.
Local Government Areas
There are 17 Local Government Areas in the State, and they are:
- Aninri
- Awgu
- Enugu East
- Enugu North
- Enugu South
- Ezeagu
- Igbo Etiti
- Igbo Eze North
- Igbo Eze South
- Isi Uzo
- Nkanu East
- Nkanu West
- Nsukka
- Oji River
- Udenu
- Udi
- Uzo-Uwani
Economy
A large number of the inhabitants of Enugu are farmers. About 18% of the population are into trading (which is popular in the urban areas), while some provide various services.
Additionally, there are some people in the State who are players in the manufacturing sector.
There are various markets in Enugu State, including the popular Ogbete Main market in the city of Enugu.
Energy
Compared to some other parts of the country, electricity supply is fair in Enugu and its environs.
The Oji River Power Station sits in Enugu State. This station is what is utilised to supply electricity to all the States in the Eastern part of Nigeria
Considering the actions of the Federal Government to deregulate electricity generation, the Enugu State government is expected to do all it takes (especially in terms of providing assistance to private investors) to take charge of the Oji Power Station.
Education
The State placed a huge value on education, and that is why every community there has at least one Primary/Elementary school and one Secondary school that are maintained by the Enugu State Government.
Of course, there are also a lot private-owned nursery, primary and secondary schools scattered across the State.
Enugu State can boast of the country’s first indigenous university, (which is the University of Nigeria, Nsukka).
- UNN is one of the best tertiary institutions in the country, and it’s located in Enugu State.
Apart from UNN, Enugu also have various higher institutions, including:
- The Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT)
- Institute of Management and Technology (IMT)
- Federal Cooperative College, Oji River (FCCO)
- Enugu State College of Education Technical, Enugu
- Caritas University, Amorji-Nike
- Renaissance University, Ugbawka
- Federal School of Dental Technology & Therapy
- College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu,
- Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu;
- Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology, Enugu
- The Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu
Demographics
The State has over 4 million inhabitants and is dominated by the Igbo ethnic group.
Religion
Majority of the inhabitants of the State are Christians, but there are some minorities still practising the African traditional religion or are irreligious.
List of Governors of Enugu State
- Herbert Eze: Military governor from August 1990 to January 1992
- Okwesilieze Nwodo: Democratically elected governor from January 1992 to November 1993
- Temi Ejoor: Military administrator from December 9 1993 to 14 September 1994
- Mike Torey: Military administrator from September 14, 1994 to August 22, 1996.
- Sule Ahman: He succeeded Torey as the military administrator of Enugu State from August 22, 1996 to August 1998.
- Adewunmi Agbaje: He’s the last military administrator before 1999 handing over of power from the military to democratically elected government. Agbaje rules from August 1998 till May 29, 1999.
- Chimaroke Nnamani: He’s the first executive governor after 1999 handing over. He was in power from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007, under Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
- Sullivan Chime: Governor Chime succeeded Nnamani from May 29, 2007, to May 29, 2015. He’s a PDP member.
- Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi: He’s the present governor of Enugu State. He won an election under PDP and assumed office on May 29, 2015. He won second term.
This post will be updated as new info comes up about the coal state.