History of Enugu State

History of Enugu State

 Enugu state is noted for her cultural diversity, beautiful sceneries and undulating plateau. In Enugu state, Tourism is Coal, our investment and our charm from the unique forest dynasty of Ngwo Pine forest, Eziagu tourism complex, Iva valley coal mine, Awhum waterfall, Opi Lake Complex, Milken hill, Ani Ozalla Lake, silicon hill and other attractions need to be patronized. The State was created in 1991from the Old Anambra state. The name Enugu means (On top of the hill) it is known as the oldest urban area in Igbo land, with about 7,161 km² (2,765 sq m) and is the 29^th largest state in the country, it shares borders with Abia state and Imo state in the south, Ebonyi state to the East, Benue state to the Northeast, Kogi state to the Northwest and Anambra state to the West. The vegetation is predominantly of guinea savannah type. Rainfall average from 700mm south-west at the extreme northern part of the state to 1000mm towards the south and south-west.
   Indeed Enugu state provides visitors from all the four corners of the globe a fascinating heaven for leisure and business activities. Visit Enugu state and be touched by one or more of these fascinating features of our tourist spots, art and craft, ancient historical relics and above all hospitality to tourists and love for peace.
    As a tourist destination, the state is unique in that its tourist attractions are quite distinctive from tourist attractions found in other states of the federation.
Enugu was found in 1909, when Mr. Kikson, a British Mining Engineer, stumbled on a large coal reserves in the Udi ridge while looking for sliver. Lord Lugard, the then colonial Governor, took keen interest in the unexpected discovery and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made to Port Harcourt. Attracted by the increasing mining activities, Iva valley, coal camp and Asata were established by foreign entrepreneurs and the indigenous laborers. Enugu acquired township status in 1917 and was called Enugwu-Ngwo, but because of the rapid expansion towards areas owned by other indigenous communities, the city was renamed in 1928 to Enugu. The name Enugu began around Nike village called Ogui. The name Nike in Igbo land means “with strength or power.’ During the transatlantic slave trade Nike people gain most of their lands and they used slaves for defense by placing slave camps at the edge of their territories so that it will be harder for the enemies to invade them. In 1690-1901 they formed an alliance which is known as Aro confederacy which was known as Igbo organization that controlled slave trading in the southern Area of Nigeria. The alliance was formed between Aro people of Abia state and Nike people of Enugu state.
In 1939 Enugu became the capital of the Eastern Provinces of Nigeria, during that time most of the colonial style buildings were constructed. The colonial charm is still witnessed in the old government buildings and mansions in the Government Reserved Area (G.R.A), a civil servants hosing district exclusively reserved for administrative staff. It became the administrative city of the eastern region when the country was divided in three areas in 1951. Enugu became for diversified in the 1960’s with the creation of the industrial estate of Emene located near the airport, steel pipes, asbestos, cement products, and oxygen and acetylene gases were manufactured.  In 1963, with the creation of 12 states in Nigeria, it became the capital of the East central state, and the city had grow from the original population of 100 to 138,000 inhabitants. In 1967 the state served briefly as the provisional capital of the secessionist Republic of Biafra and later became the capital of Anambra state in 1967. Currently the city has 465,000 inhabitants and its city premises are spread over an area of 73km²
   Geographically Enugu shares borders with Abia state and Imo state in the south, Ebonyi state to the East, Benue state to the Northeast, Kogi state to the Northwest and Anambra state to the West. The capital city is Three hours drive away from Port-Harcourt, River state where coal shipments exited in Nigeria. Coal city state is also located about Two  hours drive from Onitsha  one of the biggest commercial nave center in west Africa and two hours’ drive from Aba another big commercial city in Nigeria. The State Government and the Local Government are the two levels of government in Enugu State and in all other states of Nigeria. Sullivan Chime elected in 2007 is the current Governor. Below the governor are commissioners who he has placed as heads of ministries that oversee various portfolios.
There are 17 Local Government Areas in the State headed by Local Government Chairmen, Councilors also exist for wards and there are still Monarchs in each community but their power is based on influence and tradition. The Local government areas 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