Owerri, Nigeria

Welcome to Owerri, the heartland of Imo State in Nigeria. This vibrant city is located in the heart of Igboland and is the largest city in the state. With a population of over 1.4 million people, Owerri is a bustling metropolis that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and modernity. In this article, we will take a closer look at what makes Owerri such a special destination for travelers.

History:
Owerri has a rich history that dates back to the pre-colonial era. It was one of the last capitals of the Republic of Biafra in 1969 and has since grown to become a major economic and cultural hub in Nigeria. Today, visitors can explore the city’s many historical landmarks and museums, including the museum at Umuahia, Abia State, which houses many war artifacts and history.

Transport and Trade:
Owerri is well-connected to other parts of Nigeria and beyond. The city has an airport, the Imo Airport, which provides flight services to Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. The city is also home to major roads such as Port Harcourt Rd., Aba Rd., Onitsha Rd., and Okigwe Rd. Visitors can explore the city’s main market, Relief market, which is the largest market in Owerri. The city is also known for its agricultural products, such as yams, cassava, taro, corn, rubber, and palm products.

Climate:
Owerri has a tropical wet climate with rain falling for most months of the year. The Harmattan affects the city in the early periods of the dry season, but it is noticeably less pronounced than in other cities in Nigeria. The average temperature is 26.4 °C.

Education:
Owerri is home to several universities and tertiary institutions, including the African University of Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, and Alvan Ikoku College of Education. The city also has several secondary and high schools, including the Federal Government Girls College, Army Day Secondary School, and Christ the King Secondary School.

Food:
One of the major foods that is particular to the Owerri people is known as ofe owerri. This soup is made with snails, ponmo (cow skin), goat meat, okporoko (dried hake fish), dried fish, oporo (smoked prawns), grounded dried crayfish, wraps of ogili (fermented soya beans), fresh pepper, grounded dried pepper, grounded uziza seeds (Ashanti pepper), cocoyam, palm oil, sliced ugu leaves (pumpkin leaves), sliced oha leaves, sliced uziza leaves, stock cubes, achi powder, and salt. Visitors can also explore the city’s many restaurants and street food vendors to sample other local delicacies.

Sports:
Owerri is home to the Heartland F.C., a major Nigerian football club. The team has produced several notable players, including Emmanuel Emenike, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Nwankwo Kanu.

Religion:
Christianity is the dominant religion in Owerri, with Catholics and Anglicans having the largest followings. The city is home to Assumpta Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, and the Seat of Wisdom Seminary. All Saints Cathedral, Egbu is the first and largest Anglican Church in Owerri and the home of the first Igbo translated Bible.

Gallery:
Visitors can explore the city’s many landmarks and attractions, including the Imo Airport, Relief market, and Assumpta Cathedral. The city also boasts breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for travelers.

See also:
Ihitte Ogwa

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