Nigeria’s southeast contains the state of Anambra, which is a part of that nation.
On August 27, 1991, the State came into being.
The states of Kogi to the north, Imo to the south, Delta to the west, and Enugu to the east, all about Anambra.
There are over 9 million residents in the state, according to the 2022 Census report.
The Omambala River, which flows across the state, inspired the state’s name, which was adopted in 1976 when the former East Central State was merged into it.
The Omambala is referred to as Anambra.
Awka, which has a population of more than 6 million, is the state capital.
Between 2006 and 2020, it saw a population increase from about 700,000 to over 6 million.
Onitsha, a pre-colonial port city with a long history, is still a significant hub for trade in the state.
Anambra State, also known as the “Light of the Nation,” is the eighth most populous state in the country, though this has been seriously contested because Onitsha, the state’s largest and most populous urban area, had over 8.5 million people as of 2020, making it the second-largest urban area in Nigeria and third-largest in Africa.
With more than 8 million residents, Onitsha is the 47th-largest built-up metropolitan area in the world, according to the 2019 Demographia world urban regions.
Despite being the second-smallest state in terms of territory, Anambra has a large population.
Since at least the ninth century AD, a number of civilizations have existed in what is now Anambra State, including the ancient Kingdom of Nri, whose capital was the state’s historic town of Igbo-Ukwu.
The majority of the people that live in Anambra State are Igbo, and the Igbo language is widely spoken there.
Natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, and ceramics are all abundant in Anambra.
Nearly all of the earth is arable.
The state of Anambra has a wealth of additional resources for agro-based pursuits including fishing and farming, as well as land used for grazing and animal husbandry.
Over 60% of the population of Anambra State lives in urban areas, with a population growth rate of 2.21 percent annually.
It is one of Nigeria’s most urbanized states.
Onitsha, encompassing Okpoko town and Ogbaru; Nnewi; and Awka, the state capital, are the main urban areas of Anambra State.
Awka was the center of the Nri hegemony’s craft industry, while Onitsha was a pre-colonial metropolitan center.
Onitsha, a city-state on the Niger, grew into a river port and a major commercial hub.
Onitsha is a rapidly expanding commercial hub that has grown into a sizable conurbation that includes the LGAs of Idemili, Oyi, and Anambra East and boasts one of West Africa’s biggest markets.
Due to its growing industrial potential, the Onitsha-Nnewi-Awka (ONA) Industrial Axis was given the moniker in 2012.
Nnewi is a bustling industrial and commercial hub that has been dubbed the Taiwan of Nigeria.
Awka has restored its pre colonial administrative grandeur since being named the state capital.
Due to the vast number of large water bodies in the state, Anambra State has many locations that are waterlogged
However, we’ll just cover ten out of the lengthy list, in this article.
Anam Community, Anambra State
Eight villages make up the mega community of Anam, which is strategically situated in the Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State and bordered by the Rivers Anambra (Omambala), Niger, and Ezichi.
The Ojor river in Enugu state’s Uzouwani Local Govt. is the source of the renowned Anambra River.
The lone hamlet in Anam, located in Anambra East Local Government Area, is Umuoba Anam.
Anam Land, an ancient community in West Africa, is located in the equatorial region of sub-Saharan Africa and is characterized by numerous streams and lakes, lush vegetation, extensive thick forests, and wild forest animals like pythons, buffaloes, wild pigs, tigers, leopards, lions, elephants, chimpanzees, deer, etc.
The rivers, lakes, and streams of Anam land are home to many different types of fish, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and other aquatic animals.
Many of these lakes and streams that flow into the Omambala, Niger, and Ezichi rivers are said to be visited and possessed by gods or goddesses who journeyed from kingdoms on the Atlantic coast to take part in the war of rivers or the war of the gods, according to local old tradition.
The majority of the year, Anam Land experiences fairly mild temperatures and pleasant weather.
In Anam, the seasons Udu-mmili (rainy), Iji (flood), Ugulu (harmattan), and Okochi can all be experienced (dry season). a habitat for numerous species of native to Anam land animals, plants, gorgeous birds, insects, and butterflies.
From the Akpaka Hill, Nsugbe, Otuocha, Asaba, Anwai, and Illah Hills, Anam Land is a stunning, evergreen peninsula to behold.
The topography is flat and a table landmass, which makes the entire region susceptible to 3 months of intense flooding every year when the three rivers surrounding the Anam land overflow their banks.
The Anam land is surrounded by the rivers Omambala, Niger, and Ezichi.
The real history of Anam is a subject of conjecture.
Anam is a group of eight cape towns located on the Anam peninsula, which is rich in oil and gas reserves.
Ivite-Anam is located on the eastern side of the peninsula, while ezi-Anam is located on the western side.
Anam is a real ancient community with a rich cultural legacy steeped in animism, agriculture, the arts, oratory, philosophy, masquerades, wars, gods, and goddesses.
Anam is the Omambala region’s biggest and most populous community today.
Geographically, Anambra is located east of Asaba, the capital of Delta State, north of Onitsha, the gateway to the east, west of Otuocha, the headquarters of Anambra East LGA, and across the renowned River Niger.
Onitsha is also the third largest commercial center in Nigeria and one of the largest in West Africa.
Rivers Niger, Omambala, Ezichi, and Eziagulu Otu Aguleri in the Anambra East LGA, as well as the rivers Echeno, Ika, and Omabo, form the western, eastern, northeastern, and land borders of Anam.
Eziagulu Otu, Aguleri
Eziagulu Aguleri includes Eziagulu Otu. The Omambala River divides the two kindreds, which is why in local slang they are referred to as “home” and “overs.”
Umueri/ Umuleri
Umueri, which is often spelled Umuleri, is a historic settlement in the Anambra State of southeast Nigeria.
The population of Umueri, which is made up of the Igbo ethnic group, is thought to be 1,500,000.
It is situated in the Anambra Valley and is bounded to the north by the Anambra River (Omambala River) and the Anam villages, to the south by Nteje, to the east by Aguleri and Nando, and to the west by Nsugbe.
It is largely accepted that the ancestors were the first people to settle in Omambala Valley.
Ezi Umueri, Ifite Umueri, and Ikenga Umueri are the city’s three principal quarters.
One of the finest investments we have ever made was in the construction of the Ifite Umueri-based Anambra International Airport.
A venture that brought the federal government to this town.
Aguleri
Meaning of Aguleri:
Agulu nwa Eri (Agulu-Eri).
This is due to the fact that Agulu is the son of Eri, who is the son of Jacob, in accordance with their folklore.
An online businessman named Lawrence Ozeh claimed in an essay that Aguleri is the birthplace of the Igbo people.
Located in the Anambra valley in the southeast of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a nation on the west coast of Africa, Aguleri is a medium-sized town.
The largest town in the Anambra North local government area of Anambra State in Nigeria is called Aguleri.
It is bordered by Umueri, Anam, Nteje, and Nando in the west;
Anaku, Omor, Ifite Ogwari, Igbakwu, and Umueje in the east; and Iggah, Ojjor, Asaba, and Ogwurugwu communities of Uzo Uwani,
While it borders the Ibaji lga settlements of Obele, Odeke, and Eshonwa in Kogi state in the north.
According to census data, Aguleri has a population of around 900,000.
The land area of Aguleri is roughly 380 square kilometers.
It is near the well-known Agulu lake.
Anaku Town
Anaku is one of the Anambra State’s administrative divisions in southeast Nigeria.
Located 6°15′ north of the equator and 6°44′ east of the Greenwich meridian, the settlement.
Aguleri, the Ezu River (South), the Omor and Umuerum settlements, as well as “Omabala,” the Anambra River’s native name, which is a tributary of the River Niger, form its northern and southern borders (East).
The name “Ogbe” for the town comes from its connections to the Benin Empire (1440–1897) of the former Bendel State (now Edo State) and the Igala Kingdom of Kogi State in Nigeria, which also explains why Anaku is known as the “country of warriors.”
Although they are Igbo and speak Igbo, numerous variants of the language may be heard around the area.
The administrative center and seat of the Ayamelum Local Government Area is Anaku.
From Onitsha (approximately 50 km) and Otuocha Aguleri, it is well located (about 20 km).
Ayamelum, Anambra State
Anambra state, in the southeast of Nigeria, contains the local government area (LGA) of Ayamelum, which has its administrative center in Anaku.
Omor, Umueje, Omasi, Igbakwu, Umumbo, Anaku, Umuerum, and Ifite Ogwari are the towns that make up the local government.
The region of Ayamelum is located where Enugu and Anambra states meet.
The localities are renowned for their ability to produce food.
The LGA has economic and agricultural potential that has the ability to bring in money and add jobs.
Ayamelum’s Omor is famous for its rice farming.
As a result, the Lower Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority aids the community by enhancing its agricultural activities.
Ayamelum has no access road, though.
Otuocha-Omor-Adani federal road, which has been in a horrible shape, is the only entrance to the LGA.
The locals are unable to transport their food items to towns and cities due to the absence of infrastructure.
Anambra West
A Local Government Area called Anambra West is located in the state of Anambra, Nigeria.
In addition to Mmiata Anam, the local government is made up of the following towns:
Umuoba-Abegbu Anam, Umuenwelum Anam, Owelle, Oroma-Etiti, Umueze Anam, Umudora Anam, Umuikwu Anam, Onono Umuikwu Anam, Ukwalla, Inoma-Akator, Nzam, Igbedor, Igbokenyi Nzam serves as the capital and seat of power.
The Omambala subgroup of the Igbo people includes the inhabitants of Anambra West.
With significant volumes of undeveloped natural gas and oil at Mmiata Anam, Owelle, Umuikwu, Umudora, Nzam, Odekpe, Allah/Onungwa, and Igbedor, Anambra West is recognized as having the largest oil reserves in Nigeria.
The majority of these settlements relied on streams, springs, and rivers to get their drinking water because Anambra West, the state’s food basket, lacks many kinds of social services.
Anambra West holds the popular Ezu River and Many other water bodies.
Onitsha-River Niger Areas
Onitsha, also known as Oninchà Mmilì or just Oninchà, is a city in Anambra State, Nigeria, on the eastern bank of the Niger River.
Onitsha, a large city, is renowned for its river port and for being a center for business, industry, and education.
It is home to the Onitsha Main Market, which is the biggest market in Africa in terms of both geography and merchandise volume.
Agulu, Anambra State
Nigeria’s Anambra State contains the sizable town of Agulu.
The Anaocha Local Government Area is where it is situated.
The Anambra Central Senatorial District includes Agulu.
The Agulu Lake can be found there.
Prominent men and women from the Agulu community work in politics, business, academia, and the government.
The village also produced Mr. Peter Obi, the governor of Anambra State.
The Agulu-Nanka erosion sites are another reason to visit Agulu.
There are twenty villages in Agulu.
The following are listed in alphabetical order:
Nwanchi, Nneohia, Okpu, Ama-Ezike, Odidama, Amorji, Isiamaigbo,Ukunu, Uhueme, Obeagu, Obe, Nkitaku, Okpu-Ifite, Umubialla,Amatutu,Umuowelle, Umunnowu, Ifiteani, Umuifite,
Idemili – Idemili River Area
The Idemili River, which runs through towns like Obosi, Ogidi, and Ojoto and has a network of channels, is tied to the history of how the inhabitants of Idemili came to worship short pythons.
Since the snake known as Eke Idemili resides in the river, the name Idemili was formed from it.
The snake is regarded by the inhabitants of Idemili as a steward of their culture and heritage and a representative of their deity.
There are other water areas in Anambra which are sometimes flooded or eroded because of overflow of water bodies but we hope this few serves its informative purpose.
You can visit our article on Water areas in Anambra to read about these water bodies.
