Imo (state)
| Imo | |
|---|---|
| State | |
| Nickname(s): Eastern Heartland | |
Location of Imo State in Nigeria |
|
| Coordinates: 5°29′N 7°2′E / 5.483°N 7.033°ECoordinates: 5°29′N 7°2′E / 5.483°N 7.033°E | |
| Country | |
| Date created | February 3, 1976 |
| Capital | Owerri |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Rochas Anayo Okorocha (APC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5,530 km2 (2,140 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 34th of 36 |
| Population (2006 census)[1]1 | |
| • Total | 3,934,899 |
| • Rank | 13th of 36 |
| • Density | 710/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Imolite |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2007 |
| • Total | $14.21 billion[2] |
| • Per capita | $3,527[2] |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+01) |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-IM |
| ^1 Preliminary results | |
Imo in the Niger Delta, is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies in the South East of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city. [3]
Contents
History[edit]
Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been previously part of East-Central State. The state is named after the Imo River.[4] Part of it was split off in 1991 as Abia State, and another part became Ebonyi State. The main cities in Imo State are Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe. The Orashi River has its source in Imo State. There are also Njaba River and Oguta Lake in the State. The local language is Igbo and Christianity is the predominant religion. Imo state was created at Ngwoma.
Geography and natural resources[edit]
Imo State lies within latitudes 4°45'N and 7°15'N, and longitude 6°50'E and 7°25'E with an area of around 5,100 sq km.[5] It is bordered by Abia State on the East, by the River Niger and Delta State on the west, by Anambra State to the north and Rivers State to the south. Besides Owerri, Imo State's major towns are Isu, Okigwe, Oguta, Orlu, Akokwa, Mbaise, Mbaitoli, Mbieri, Orodo, Nkwerre, Ubulu, Ngor Okpala, Omuma, Mgbidi, Awo-Omamma and Orsu.
The state is rich in natural resources including crude oil, natural gas, lead, zinc.[6] Economically exploitable flora like the iroko, mahogany, obeche, bamboo, rubber tree and oil palm predominate. However, with a high population density and over farming the soil has been degraded and much of the native vegetation has disappeared.[5]
This deforestation has triggered soil erosion which is compounded by heavy seasonal rainfall that has led to the destruction of houses and roads.[5][7][8]
Climate[edit]
The rainy season begins in April and lasts until October[9] with annual rainfall varying from 1,500mm to 2,200mm (60 to 80 inches).[5][10]
An average annual temperature above 20 °C (68.0 °F) creates an annual relative humidity of 75%. With humidity reaching 90% in the rainy season. The dry season experiences two months of Harmattan from late December to late February. The hottest months are between January and March.[5][9][10]
Government[edit]
The state has a three-tier administrative structure: State, Local and Autonomous community levels. The three arms at state level are the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. The executive arm is headed by an elected Governor who is assisted by a deputy governor, commissioners and executive advisers.
The legislative arm is headed by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly who is currently speaker Rt. Hon.Benjamin Uwajumogu. The remainder of the house is made up of elected legislators and is the lawmaking body of the state.
The judiciary is made up of the high court of justice and customary court of appeal and is headed by the Chief Judge of the state.[11]
Ministries[edit]
- Justice
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Education
- Health
- Commerce
- Industry and Tourism
- Finance
- Works and Transport
- Youths and Sports
- Women Affairs
- Internal Resources and Pension Matters
- Local Government and Rural Development
Language[edit]
English and Igbo
Local Government Areas[edit]
Imo State consists of twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas. They are:
Smaller jurisdictions in the state may receive Township Status or Urban Status.[12]
Demographics[edit]
The estimated population is 4.8 million and the population density varies from 230-1,400 people per square kilometer.[5]
Imo state is a predominantly Igbo speaking state, with Igbo people constituting a majority of 98%.[13]
Education[edit]
There are several institutions of higher education with some being run by the state government and others by the federal government. The two universities being Imo State University and the Federal University of Technology Owerri.[14]
Notable people[edit]
Sports[edit]
- Chioma Ajunwa - 1996 Olympic gold long jumper
- Nwankwo Kanu - National footballer
- Emmanuel Amunike - 1994 African Player of the Year and Olympic-winning soccer star
- Samuel Okwaraji - was a National Footballer (19 May 1964 – 12 August 1989)
- Prince Amukamara - Cornerback for the New York Giants
- Kelechi Iheanacho - U-17 World Cup winner and tournament's MVP (2013–present)
Arts[edit]
- Obianuju Catherine Acholonu - Author
- Genevieve Nnaji - Nollywood actress
- Rita Dominic, Nigerian actress
- Onyeka Onwenu - Singer, actress and politician
- Dr. Sir Warrior - Highlife musician
- Dr. Alban - Eurodance musician
- Osita Iheme - Actor
- Kanayo O. Kanayo- Actor
- Clem Ohameze- Actor
- Stephanie Okereke- Actress
- Onyeka Nwelue- Author, scholar, actor, entrepreneur
× John Munonye - Author
Politics[edit]
- Pats Acholonu - Supreme Court Justice
- Christina Anyanwu - journalist and senator
- Kema Chikwe - former Minister of Aviation
- Evan Enwerem - former governor and former President of the Senate
- Ikedi Ohakim - former governor
- Rochas Okorocha - present governor
- Collins E. Ijoma - the youngest U.S. Trial Court Administrator
- Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu - politician and businessman
- K. O. Mbadiwe - former Minister of Commerce and Industry
- Sam Mbakwe - former Governor
- Fabian Osuji - former Minister of Education
- Achike Udenwa - former Governor
- Maurice Iwu - former INEC Chairman
- Sir Jude Ejiogu - Chief of Staff
- Prof. Chinwe Obaji - Former Minister of Education
Other[edit]
- Leo Stan Ekeh - founder and CEO of Zinox Technologies
- Lucky Ifeanyi Uzoma - founder and CEO of Luzoma Microsystems and HR-Live
- Adiele Afigbo - historian
- Michael Echeruo - academic and writer in Igbo studies
- Tony Ezenna - founder and CEO of Orange Group Nigeria
- Joe S. C. Mbagwu - Professor of Soil Science
[ John Munonye - Author}
References[edit]
- ^ "2006 Population Census" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria. May 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ a b "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Caeeeanback Dangel. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
- ^ "Niger Delta Region Land and People" (PDF). www.nddc.gov.ng. Federal Republic of Nigeria. p. 4.
- ^ "Physical Setting: Imo State". OnlineNigeria.com. Devace Nigeria. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
- ^ a b c d e f "About Imo State". Imo State, Nigeria: Imo State Government. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ "Industries in Imo State". Imo State, Nigeria: Imo State Government. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ Africatalksclimate.com
- ^ Allafrica.com
- ^ a b Wordtravels.com
- ^ a b "Regions Used to Interpret the Complexity of Nigeria". Geographical Alliance of Iowa. University of Northern Iowa. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
- ^ Onlinenigeria.com
- ^ "Local Government Organization in Imo State". Library of Congress Pamphlet Collection - Flickr. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
- ^ Igbofocus.co.uk
- ^ "Education in Imo State". Imo State, Nigeria: Imo State Government. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
External links[edit]
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