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Onitsha

December 15, 2023

For the novel, see Onitsha (novel). For the gospel musician, see Onitsha (musician).

Onitsha (Igbo: Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí[5] or simply Ọ̀nị̀chà) is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. A metropolitan city, Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education. It is one of the largest metropolitan area in Nigeria with a fast growing population of over 8 million people. It hosts the Onitsha Main Market, the largest market in Africa in terms of geographical size and volume of goods. Onitsha and neighboring Asaba on the western bank of the Niger River form a continuous metropolitan area.[6] [7]

Onitsha
Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí
Port City
Metropolis
From Top to Left to Right: Onitsha Stock Exchange; Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity; DMGS Roundabout; Dennis Memorial Grammar School; Onitsha International Market; Second Niger Bridge; First Niger Bridge; All Saints Cathedral.
Nickname(s): 
Port City, Onitsha(Osha), Otu, Otu Nkwo
Motto: 
Eastern/Nigeria Hub For Economic Activities
Anthem: "With all our hearts, We Pray and ask"
Onitsha
Location of Onitsha in Nigeria
Onitsha
Onitsha (Africa)
Coordinates: 6°10′N 6°47′E / 6.167°N 6.783°E / 6.167; 6.783
Country Nigeria
StateAnambra State
LGA(s)[note 1]
List of LGAs
Founded1550
Settled15th century
Incorporated city19th century
Government
 • TypeConstitutional Monarchy, Executive Government, Local Government
 • GovernorCharles Chukwuma Soludo (APGA)
 • LegislatureAnambra State House of Assembly
 • Anambra North DistrictN: Tony Nwoye (LP)
 • Constitutional MonarchyHRH, Alfred Achebe. Obi Of Onitsha
Area
[2]
 • Metropolis52 km2 (20 sq mi)
 • Land36.12 km2 (13.95 sq mi)
 • Water0.067 km2 (0.026 sq mi)
 • Urban
1,965 km2 (759 sq mi)
 • Metro
1,965 km2 (759 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[3]
 • Metropolis3,553,000[1]
 • Urban
7,985,643
 • Urban density4,100/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
 • Metro
8,197,540
 • Metro density4,200/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
 • Demonym
Onye Onicha (singular)
Ndi Onicha (plural) (Igbo)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
Postcode
430...[4]
Area code046
National languageIgbo
Websiteanambrastate.gov.ng

As of 2016, Onitsha had an estimated city proper population of 2,080,000 people.[3] As of early 2022, Onitsha has a rising estimated population at 3,553,000.[8] The indigenous people of Onitsha are Igbos and speak the Igbo language. The Onitsha people are referred to as Ndi Onicha.[5]

Founding and settlement edit

 
Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe

Onitsha Ado na Idu was originally known as Onitsha Mmili.[9] The people of Onitsha original lived in communities scattered across Western Igbo (Delta and Edo states) and emigrated to the place called Onitsha today where they established a community.

After their arrival on the east bank (Onicha-mmili, "Onitsha-on-water", see above), the community gradually became a unitary kingdom, evolving from a loosely organized group of "royal" villages (Umu Ezechima) to encompass "non-royal" villages (Onicha Ebo Itenani).

Modern history edit

 
The famous Niger River and Niger Bridge defines Onitsha as the gateway to the Igbo heartland.

Onitsha slowly grew to become an important trading port for the Royal Niger Company in the mid-1850s following the abolition of slavery and with the development of the steam engine when Europeans were able to move into the hinterland.

Trade in palm kernels, palm oil, and other cash crops on the coast of the Bight of Biafra increased around this river port in the 19th century.

In 1857 British palm oil traders established a permanent station in the city with Christian missionaries joining them.[10]

In 1900 Onitsha became part of a British protectorate.[11] The British colonial government and Christian missionaries penetrated most of Igboland to set up their administration, schools and churches through the river port at Onitsha.

In 1965, the Niger River Bridge was built across the Niger River to replace the ferry crossing. This has helped to grow trade routes with western Nigeria and created significant economic linkages between Onitsha and Benin City and Lagos particularly.[12][13]

The Nigerian-Biafran war brought devastation to Onitsha as the city was a major theatre of war for forces entering Biafra from the western front. The subsequent oil boom years of the 1970s and early 1980s witnessed a huge influx of immigrants into the city. The result has been hastily constructed and haphazard building which has created a huge number of slums.[14]

People and culture edit

 
Onitsha People

Onitsha traditionally consists of nine villages, otherwise known as Ebo Itenani. These are descendants of the progenitor Umuezechima comprising Isiokwe, Olosi, Umuezearoli (Umuaroli, Ogbendida and Ogbeoza), Okebunabo (Umudei, Ogbeabu, Ogbeodogwu, Ogbembubu), Obikporo and Ogbeotu, Awada (Ogbeozoma), Obamkpa (Umuasele, Iyiawu and Odoje Ndugbe) and Odoje (Odumegwu Gbuagu), Ubulu na Ikem (Umuikem), Ulutu, Ubene, Ogboli Eke, Obior and Ogbeotu. Within these groupings, there are six administrative wards namely Okebunabo, Umuezearoli, Ogbeolu, Isiokwe na Ogboli Olosi, Obamkpa and Eke na Ubene.

Umuaroli Ogbendida Ogbeozoma Isiokwe
Ogboli-Eke Ogboli-Olosi Umudei Ogbembubu/Ogbeabu
Ogbeodogwu Obikporo Ogbeotu Umuasele
Odoje Umuikem Mgbelekeke Iyiawu
Obior

Onitsha operates a traditional government headed by the Obi, the titular head of the town who is assisted by Ndi Ichie, titled red cap elders or chiefs. Among these are Ndi Ichie Ume, who are the First Class Chiefs. The Ndi Ichie are classified into six, namely: Onowu Iyasele, Ajie Ukadiugwu, Odu Osodi, Onya Ozoma, Ogene Onira and Owelle Osowa, with Onowu Iyasele as the traditional Prime Minister. There are also other Ndi Ichie, who are ranked second class, known as Ndi Okwa and third class, known as Ndi Ichie Okwareze. The Ndi Ichie serve as Council of Advisers to the Obi who solicits their advice in major decisions he makes in the Kingdom.

When the ruling Obi joins his ancestors, the Onowu Iyasele takes charge until a new Obi is enthroned.[citation needed]

Festival edit

Once a year in October the kingdom of Onitsha holds the Ofala Festival which coincides with the traditional New Yam festival held in many parts of Igboland. The Ofala Festival in ancient times offered the people the opportunity to see the king and receive blessings from him. Nowadays, it is a way for the people of Onitsha to keep their culture alive, take stock of the communal activities and it has become a major event that draws visitors from far and wide to the city.[15]

Geography edit

Onitsha lies at a major east–west crossing point of the Niger River and occupies the northernmost point of the river regularly navigable by large vessels. These factors have historically made Onitsha a major center for trade between the coastal regions and the north, as well as between eastern and western Nigeria. Onitsha possesses one of the very few road bridge crossings of the mile-wide Niger River[16][17] and plans are in place to add a second bridge near it.

Rapid urbanization in recent years negatively affects natural vegetation and local landscape.[18]

Climate edit

Onitsha has two seasons, the wet season, which is warm, oppressive, and overcast, and the dry season that is hot, muggy, and partly cloudy. Over the length of the year, the temperature commonly varies from 67 °F to 88 °F and is commonly below 59 °F or above 92 °F.[19]

Urbanization edit

In the early 1960s, before the Nigerian Civil War (see also Biafra), the population was officially recorded as 76,000, and the town was distinctive in a number of dimensions; the great Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe (born and raised in the contiguous town of Ogidi) characterized it as harboring an "esoteric region from which creativity sallies forth at will to manifest itself," "a zone of occult instability" (see "Onitsha Matters").

Indeed, Onitsha has played a creative role in the transformation to urban life in Eastern Nigeria famous as the setting for Onitsha Market Literature and as one of the hubs for the financing and distribution of Nollywood films.[20]

However, infrastructure has not kept pace with urbanization and haphazard building practices without zoning regulations has left in its wake a chaotic and congested city rife with lawlessness. The World Health Organization Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution database's 2016 update indicates that Onitsha is the most polluted city in Africa.[21][22]

In recent times with the encroachment of neighboring communities, the Onitsha people have been involved in disputes over land ownership in the surrounding area with the people of Obosi and Nkwelle Ezunaka.[23][24] Fegge, Awada, and 3-3 are Onitsha metropolitan areas being disputed by the communities of Obosi and Nkwelle Ezunaka, respectively.

 
Onitsha Skyline

Economy edit

 
Harbor Industrial Layout of Onitsha

In 2012 the state government, through a joint venture, attracted SAB Miller to invest in Onitsha Brewery, which started production in August. It was the first large-scale investment in Onitsha since Premier Breweries, makers of the Premier Beer established production in Onitsha in the early part of the 1980s. In January it was announced that upgrades to the value of $110 million would triple the output of beer and malt drinks.[25]

Transport edit

Onitsha is not only accessible by rivers and land, but also by air. The city has an international cargo and passenger airport located at Umueri.

Religion and politics edit

Onitsha is a predominantly Christian city. People from Northern and Western Nigeria also practice Islam. In February 2006, armed militants killed at least 80 ethnic Hausa Fulani (Muslims) and burned a few Muslim sites, including two mosques.[26][27][28] The riots were in response to riots by Muslims in the city of Maiduguri days earlier, where at least 18 Christians were killed, sparked by the cartoon controversy in Denmark.

In Popular Culture edit

Onitsha Market Literature edit

Main article: Onitsha Market Literature

It refers to the 20th century genre of sentimental, moralistic novellas, pamphlets and other publications sold at the Onitsha Market in Nigeria in the 1950s and 1960s. Much of it was written in pidgin English.[29] The Onitsha writings have two distinct characteristics: a fascination with westernized urban life and the desire to warn the newly arrived against the corruption and dangers that accompany it. Typical titles are “Rose Only Loved My Money,” “Drunkards Believe Bar as Heaven,” “Why Some Rich Men Have No Trust in Some Girls,” and “How to Get a Lady in Love.” Sentimental novelettes, political tracts, and “how to” guides on writing love letters, handling money, and attaining prosperity all have achieved great commercial success, and booksellers hawk these cheap, locally produced pamphlets (which are printed on handpresses) at Onitsha.

Environment edit

The amount of waste generation is attributed to the city's high population being a commercial area that draws in people from within and outside Nigeria for business purposes. They generate mostly food waste, polythene bags, paper and its related wastes and metal. Others are pieces of clothes, plastic, tins, bottles and glass materials.[30]In 2016, PM10 levels exceeded the WHO's standard by 30 times.[31][32] The city's noise levels exceeds the federal ministry of environment stipulated limits of 90 dB (A) and that of NESREA's 70 dB (A) for an 8-hour working period, varying in dry season and wet seasons.[33] The city's vast surface water, shallow subsurface water, and permeable soils put it at high risk of water pollution.

Twin towns edit

Onitsha is twinned with:

Notable people edit

The Onitsha people were among the first Igbo to embrace western education,[36] producing notable people like Bishop Alphonsus Chukwuma Onyeabo, Order of the British Empire, 1879–1954, and the main contributor of the English to Igbo bible,[37] Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owele of Onicha, Zik of Africa, and the first president of the post-independent Nigeria.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Main and Metropolitan Onitsha consists of 2 and 7 of Anambra State's 21 LGAs, Respectively.
  2. ^ Only Onitsha, Fegge, Woliwo, Odoakpu, American Quarters, Inland Town, Et cetera

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22013/onitsha/population
  2. ^ UN Habitat (2009). . UN-HABITAT. ISBN 978-92-1-132117-3. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  3. ^ a b Onitsha Nigeria at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  4. ^ . Nigerian Postal Service. Archived from the original on 2012-11-26. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  5. ^ a b Okanga, Eloka Chijioke Paul Nwolisa (2003). Njepu amaka--migration is rewarding: a sociocultural anthropological study of global economic migration. Peter Lang. p. 63. ISBN 0-8204-6090-7.
  6. ^ "Onitsha | Nigeria, Map, & History | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  7. ^ www.ajemates.org https://www.ajemates.org/index.php/ajemates/article/download/278/247. Retrieved 2023-11-08. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ "Onitsha, Nigeria Metro Area Population 1950-2022". www.macrotrends.net. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  9. ^ Areh, Austin (2019-02-12). "History Of Onitsha Indigenes". Welcome To InlandTown Online | Get hot information on Onitsha. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  10. ^ Taylor, Crowther & (2010) [1859]. The Gospel on the Banks of the Niger: Journals and Notices of the Native Missionaries Accompanying the Niger Expedition of 1857–1859. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-01184-6..
  11. ^ Anene, J. C. (1966). Southern Nigeria in Transition 1885–1906. Cambridge University Press. pp. 212–213.
  12. ^ "With New Funding, Second Niger Bridge Offers Hope of Economic Revolution". The Business Year. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
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  25. ^ "SAB Miller investing $110 m to triple Onitsha brewery capacity". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  26. ^ "Scores killed in Nigeria riots". Al Jazeera. 2006-02-23.
  27. ^ "Toll rises in Nigeria sectarian riots". Al Jazeera. 2006-02-24.
  28. ^ Timberg, Craig (2006-02-24). "Nigerian Christians Burn Corpses". The Washington Post. pp. A10. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
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  33. ^ Chris Onyeka Ekweozor; Johnbosco Emeka Umunnakwe; Leo O Osuji; Vincent C Weli (October 2021). "Noise Pollution in Onitsha Metropolis: Challenges and Solution". Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology. 1 (2): 32–40. doi:10.53022/oarjet.2021.1.2.0110 – via Researchgate.
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  37. ^ "igbohistory". www.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
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  50. ^ "Arsenal youngster keen to play for Nigeria, father insists". Pulse Nigeria. 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  51. ^ "Super Eagles tame Lions of Cameroon 3-2 in AFCON 2019". Vanguard News. 2019-07-06. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
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  53. ^ "Lawyers from childhood's fantasy planet". The Sun Nigeria. 2020-03-07. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  54. ^ chuku, gloria (2011-01-01), Akyeampong, Emmanuel K; Gates, Henry Louis (eds.), "Nwagboka", Dictionary of African Biography, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001, ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5, retrieved 2022-03-17
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  • The People and history of Onitsha

Further reading edit

  • Richard N. Henderson (June 2004). The King in Every Man: Evolutionary Trends in Onitsha Ibo Society and Culture. Richard Henderson. ISBN 978-0-9740440-0-2.

December 15, 2023
onitsha, novel, novel, gospel, musician, musician, igbo, nị, chà, mmílí, simply, nị, chà, city, eastern, bank, niger, river, anambra, state, nigeria, metropolitan, city, known, river, port, economic, commerce, industry, education, largest, metropolitan, area, . For the novel see Onitsha novel For the gospel musician see Onitsha musician Onitsha Igbo Ọ nị cha Mmili 5 or simply Ọ nị cha is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River in Anambra State Nigeria A metropolitan city Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce industry and education It is one of the largest metropolitan area in Nigeria with a fast growing population of over 8 million people It hosts the Onitsha Main Market the largest market in Africa in terms of geographical size and volume of goods Onitsha and neighboring Asaba on the western bank of the Niger River form a continuous metropolitan area 6 7 Onitsha Ọ nị cha MmiliPort CityMetropolisFrom Top to Left to Right Onitsha Stock Exchange Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity DMGS Roundabout Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha International Market Second Niger Bridge First Niger Bridge All Saints Cathedral Nickname s Port City Onitsha Osha Otu Otu NkwoMotto Eastern Nigeria Hub For Economic ActivitiesAnthem With all our hearts We Pray and ask OnitshaLocation of Onitsha in NigeriaShow map of NigeriaOnitshaOnitsha Africa Show map of AfricaCoordinates 6 10 N 6 47 E 6 167 N 6 783 E 6 167 6 783Country NigeriaStateAnambra StateLGA s note 1 List of LGAs Mainland Onitsha North Onitsha South note 2 Urban Conurbations Parts ofAnambra East Idemili North Idemili South Ogbaru OyiFounded1550Settled15th centuryIncorporated city19th centuryGovernment TypeConstitutional Monarchy Executive Government Local Government GovernorCharles Chukwuma Soludo APGA LegislatureAnambra State House of Assembly Anambra North DistrictN Tony Nwoye LP Constitutional MonarchyHRH Alfred Achebe Obi Of OnitshaArea 2 Metropolis52 km2 20 sq mi Land36 12 km2 13 95 sq mi Water0 067 km2 0 026 sq mi Urban1 965 km2 759 sq mi Metro1 965 km2 759 sq mi Population 2022 3 Metropolis3 553 000 1 Urban7 985 643 Urban density4 100 km2 11 000 sq mi Metro8 197 540 Metro density4 200 km2 11 000 sq mi DemonymOnye Onicha singular Ndi Onicha plural Igbo Time zoneUTC 1 WAT Postcode430 4 Area code046National languageIgboWebsiteanambrastate wbr gov wbr ngAs of 2016 Onitsha had an estimated city proper population of 2 080 000 people 3 As of early 2022 Onitsha has a rising estimated population at 3 553 000 8 The indigenous people of Onitsha are Igbos and speak the Igbo language The Onitsha people are referred to as Ndi Onicha 5 Contents 1 Founding and settlement 2 Modern history 3 People and culture 3 1 Festival 4 Geography 5 Climate 6 Urbanization 7 Economy 8 Transport 9 Religion and politics 10 In Popular Culture 10 1 Onitsha Market Literature 11 Environment 12 Twin towns 13 Notable people 14 See also 15 Notes 16 References 16 1 Further readingFounding and settlement edit nbsp Obi of Onitsha Alfred AchebeOnitsha Ado na Idu was originally known as Onitsha Mmili 9 The people of Onitsha original lived in communities scattered across Western Igbo Delta and Edo states and emigrated to the place called Onitsha today where they established a community After their arrival on the east bank Onicha mmili Onitsha on water see above the community gradually became a unitary kingdom evolving from a loosely organized group of royal villages Umu Ezechima to encompass non royal villages Onicha Ebo Itenani Modern history edit nbsp The famous Niger River and Niger Bridge defines Onitsha as the gateway to the Igbo heartland Onitsha slowly grew to become an important trading port for the Royal Niger Company in the mid 1850s following the abolition of slavery and with the development of the steam engine when Europeans were able to move into the hinterland Trade in palm kernels palm oil and other cash crops on the coast of the Bight of Biafra increased around this river port in the 19th century In 1857 British palm oil traders established a permanent station in the city with Christian missionaries joining them 10 In 1900 Onitsha became part of a British protectorate 11 The British colonial government and Christian missionaries penetrated most of Igboland to set up their administration schools and churches through the river port at Onitsha In 1965 the Niger River Bridge was built across the Niger River to replace the ferry crossing This has helped to grow trade routes with western Nigeria and created significant economic linkages between Onitsha and Benin City and Lagos particularly 12 13 The Nigerian Biafran war brought devastation to Onitsha as the city was a major theatre of war for forces entering Biafra from the western front The subsequent oil boom years of the 1970s and early 1980s witnessed a huge influx of immigrants into the city The result has been hastily constructed and haphazard building which has created a huge number of slums 14 People and culture edit nbsp Onitsha PeopleOnitsha traditionally consists of nine villages otherwise known as Ebo Itenani These are descendants of the progenitor Umuezechima comprising Isiokwe Olosi Umuezearoli Umuaroli Ogbendida and Ogbeoza Okebunabo Umudei Ogbeabu Ogbeodogwu Ogbembubu Obikporo and Ogbeotu Awada Ogbeozoma Obamkpa Umuasele Iyiawu and Odoje Ndugbe and Odoje Odumegwu Gbuagu Ubulu na Ikem Umuikem Ulutu Ubene Ogboli Eke Obior and Ogbeotu Within these groupings there are six administrative wards namely Okebunabo Umuezearoli Ogbeolu Isiokwe na Ogboli Olosi Obamkpa and Eke na Ubene Umuaroli Ogbendida Ogbeozoma IsiokweOgboli Eke Ogboli Olosi Umudei Ogbembubu OgbeabuOgbeodogwu Obikporo Ogbeotu UmuaseleOdoje Umuikem Mgbelekeke IyiawuObiorOnitsha operates a traditional government headed by the Obi the titular head of the town who is assisted by Ndi Ichie titled red cap elders or chiefs Among these are Ndi Ichie Ume who are the First Class Chiefs The Ndi Ichie are classified into six namely Onowu Iyasele Ajie Ukadiugwu Odu Osodi Onya Ozoma Ogene Onira and Owelle Osowa with Onowu Iyasele as the traditional Prime Minister There are also other Ndi Ichie who are ranked second class known as Ndi Okwa and third class known as Ndi Ichie Okwareze The Ndi Ichie serve as Council of Advisers to the Obi who solicits their advice in major decisions he makes in the Kingdom When the ruling Obi joins his ancestors the Onowu Iyasele takes charge until a new Obi is enthroned citation needed Festival edit Once a year in October the kingdom of Onitsha holds the Ofala Festival which coincides with the traditional New Yam festival held in many parts of Igboland The Ofala Festival in ancient times offered the people the opportunity to see the king and receive blessings from him Nowadays it is a way for the people of Onitsha to keep their culture alive take stock of the communal activities and it has become a major event that draws visitors from far and wide to the city 15 Geography editOnitsha lies at a major east west crossing point of the Niger River and occupies the northernmost point of the river regularly navigable by large vessels These factors have historically made Onitsha a major center for trade between the coastal regions and the north as well as between eastern and western Nigeria Onitsha possesses one of the very few road bridge crossings of the mile wide Niger River 16 17 and plans are in place to add a second bridge near it Rapid urbanization in recent years negatively affects natural vegetation and local landscape 18 Climate editOnitsha has two seasons the wet season which is warm oppressive and overcast and the dry season that is hot muggy and partly cloudy Over the length of the year the temperature commonly varies from 67 F to 88 F and is commonly below 59 F or above 92 F 19 Urbanization editIn the early 1960s before the Nigerian Civil War see also Biafra the population was officially recorded as 76 000 and the town was distinctive in a number of dimensions the great Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe born and raised in the contiguous town of Ogidi characterized it as harboring an esoteric region from which creativity sallies forth at will to manifest itself a zone of occult instability see Onitsha Matters Indeed Onitsha has played a creative role in the transformation to urban life in Eastern Nigeria famous as the setting for Onitsha Market Literature and as one of the hubs for the financing and distribution of Nollywood films 20 However infrastructure has not kept pace with urbanization and haphazard building practices without zoning regulations has left in its wake a chaotic and congested city rife with lawlessness The World Health Organization Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution database s 2016 update indicates that Onitsha is the most polluted city in Africa 21 22 In recent times with the encroachment of neighboring communities the Onitsha people have been involved in disputes over land ownership in the surrounding area with the people of Obosi and Nkwelle Ezunaka 23 24 Fegge Awada and 3 3 are Onitsha metropolitan areas being disputed by the communities of Obosi and Nkwelle Ezunaka respectively nbsp Onitsha SkylineEconomy edit nbsp Harbor Industrial Layout of OnitshaIn 2012 the state government through a joint venture attracted SAB Miller to invest in Onitsha Brewery which started production in August It was the first large scale investment in Onitsha since Premier Breweries makers of the Premier Beer established production in Onitsha in the early part of the 1980s In January it was announced that upgrades to the value of 110 million would triple the output of beer and malt drinks 25 Transport editOnitsha is not only accessible by rivers and land but also by air The city has an international cargo and passenger airport located at Umueri Religion and politics editOnitsha is a predominantly Christian city People from Northern and Western Nigeria also practice Islam In February 2006 armed militants killed at least 80 ethnic Hausa Fulani Muslims and burned a few Muslim sites including two mosques 26 27 28 The riots were in response to riots by Muslims in the city of Maiduguri days earlier where at least 18 Christians were killed sparked by the cartoon controversy in Denmark In Popular Culture editOnitsha Market Literature edit Main article Onitsha Market Literature It refers to the 20th century genre of sentimental moralistic novellas pamphlets and other publications sold at the Onitsha Market in Nigeria in the 1950s and 1960s Much of it was written in pidgin English 29 The Onitsha writings have two distinct characteristics a fascination with westernized urban life and the desire to warn the newly arrived against the corruption and dangers that accompany it Typical titles are Rose Only Loved My Money Drunkards Believe Bar as Heaven Why Some Rich Men Have No Trust in Some Girls and How to Get a Lady in Love Sentimental novelettes political tracts and how to guides on writing love letters handling money and attaining prosperity all have achieved great commercial success and booksellers hawk these cheap locally produced pamphlets which are printed on handpresses at Onitsha Environment editThe amount of waste generation is attributed to the city s high population being a commercial area that draws in people from within and outside Nigeria for business purposes They generate mostly food waste polythene bags paper and its related wastes and metal Others are pieces of clothes plastic tins bottles and glass materials 30 In 2016 PM10 levels exceeded the WHO s standard by 30 times 31 32 The city s noise levels exceeds the federal ministry of environment stipulated limits of 90 dB A and that of NESREA s 70 dB A for an 8 hour working period varying in dry season and wet seasons 33 The city s vast surface water shallow subsurface water and permeable soils put it at high risk of water pollution Twin towns editOnitsha is twinned with nbsp Compton California United States 2010 34 nbsp Indianapolis Indiana United States 2017 35 Notable people editThe Onitsha people were among the first Igbo to embrace western education 36 producing notable people like Bishop Alphonsus Chukwuma Onyeabo Order of the British Empire 1879 1954 and the main contributor of the English to Igbo bible 37 Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Owele of Onicha Zik of Africa and the first president of the post independent Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba lawyer and human rights activist 38 39 40 Ukpabi Asika Nigerian academic and civil servant 41 Flora Azikiwe first wife of Nnamdi Azikiwe the first President of Nigeria 42 Onyedika Chuke Art dealer Curator and Artist 43 Ben Enwonwu painter and sculptor 44 45 46 47 Obum Gwacham American football player Emmanuel Ifeajuna a former army major and high jumper first Black African to win gold at a major international sports competition 48 49 Alex Iwobi professional footballer Everton forward 50 51 Louis Mbanefo lawyer and justice 52 53 Nwagboka last Omu of Onitsha 54 Alexander Nwora basketball player and coach Tony Nwoye Nigerian politician 55 Chike Obi mathematician 56 57 58 59 60 Francis Obikwelu retired Nigerian born Portuguese sprinter 61 Janet Okala Nigerian political leader 62 Francisca Nneka Okeke Nigerian physicist 63 Henry Onyekuru footballer 64 65 66 See also editOnitsha Market Literature literature sold at the main market in the 1950s and 60s Onitsha a novel by French author J M G Le Clezio Ryszard Kapuscinski writes of The Hole of Onitsha in his book The Shadow of the Sun Notes edit Main and Metropolitan Onitsha consists of 2 and 7 of Anambra State s 21 LGAs Respectively Only Onitsha Fegge Woliwo Odoakpu American Quarters Inland Town Et ceteraReferences edit https www macrotrends net cities 22013 onitsha population UN Habitat 2009 Structure Plan for Onitsha and Satellite Towns UN HABITAT ISBN 978 92 1 132117 3 Archived from the original on 2011 09 27 Retrieved 2010 06 20 a b Onitsha Nigeria at the Encyclopaedia Britannica Nipost Postcode Map Nigerian Postal Service Archived from the original on 2012 11 26 Retrieved 2010 05 08 a b Okanga Eloka Chijioke Paul Nwolisa 2003 Njepu amaka migration is rewarding a sociocultural anthropological study of global economic migration Peter Lang p 63 ISBN 0 8204 6090 7 Onitsha Nigeria Map amp History Britannica www britannica com 2023 10 11 Retrieved 2023 11 08 www ajemates org https www ajemates org index php ajemates article download 278 247 Retrieved 2023 11 08 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Missing or empty title help Onitsha Nigeria Metro Area Population 1950 2022 www macrotrends net Retrieved 2022 03 08 Areh Austin 2019 02 12 History Of Onitsha Indigenes Welcome To InlandTown Online Get hot information on Onitsha Retrieved 2022 03 13 Taylor Crowther amp 2010 1859 The Gospel on the Banks of the Niger Journals and Notices of the Native Missionaries Accompanying the Niger Expedition of 1857 1859 Cambridge University Press ISBN 978 1 108 01184 6 Anene J C 1966 Southern Nigeria in Transition 1885 1906 Cambridge University Press pp 212 213 With New Funding Second Niger Bridge Offers Hope of Economic Revolution The Business Year 30 December 2018 Retrieved 2020 02 07 Onitsha Hometown ng Retrieved 2020 01 22 About Onitsha onitshacitymarathon com Retrieved 2020 01 22 Obi of Onitsha Commends Glo for Supporting Ofala Festival THISDAYLIVE www thisdaylive com Retrieved 2023 06 10 The second Niger Bridge The Daily Sun 2007 02 20 Retrieved 2007 04 06 Britannica Retrieved 2008 10 02 Nwaogu Chukwudi Okeke Onyedikachi J Fadipe Olusola O Bashiru Kehinde A Pechanec Vilem 2017 Is Nigeria losing its natural vegetation and landscape Assessing the land use landcover change trajectories and effects in Onitsha using remote sensing and GIS Open Geosciences 9 1 707 718 Bibcode 2017OGeo 9 53N doi 10 1515 geo 2017 0053 Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Onitsha Nigeria Madichie Nnamdi Nkamnebe Anayo 2010 11 01 51 Iweka Road Onitsha Nigeria Could this single African address redefine business cluster development World Review of Entrepreneurship Management and Sustainable Development 6 3 229 243 doi 10 1504 WREMSD 2010 036677 A New Air Pollution Database Is Good but Imperfect Data Driven Yale datadriven yale edu Retrieved 2016 11 25 Cunningham Anna October 22 2018 Amid Staggering Pollution Nigerians Struggle to Catch Their Breath Undark Retrieved 2019 09 27 Vincent Ujumadu June 17 2013 17 injured bus burnt as Onitsha Obosi youths clash over land Vanguard Retrieved September 2 2014 Nigeria Nkwelle Ezunaka Battles Onitsha Over Land Nkwelle Ezunaka Union USA Retrieved September 2 2014 SAB Miller investing 110 m to triple Onitsha brewery capacity Retrieved 28 February 2014 Scores killed in Nigeria riots Al Jazeera 2006 02 23 Toll rises in Nigeria sectarian riots Al Jazeera 2006 02 24 Timberg Craig 2006 02 24 Nigerian Christians Burn Corpses The Washington Post pp A10 Retrieved 2007 04 06 https www britannica com art Onitsha market literature Nwachukwu M U December 2010 Solid Waste Generation and Disposal in a Nigerian City An Empirical Analysis in Onitsha Metropolis Journal of Environmental Management and Safety 1 1 180 191 via Researchgate Phoebe Parke World s most polluted city by air is in Nigeria CNN Retrieved 2022 03 02 Welcome to Onitsha the city with the world s worst air The Guardian 2017 02 13 Retrieved 2022 03 02 Chris Onyeka Ekweozor Johnbosco Emeka Umunnakwe Leo O Osuji Vincent C Weli October 2021 Noise Pollution in Onitsha Metropolis Challenges and Solution Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology 1 2 32 40 doi 10 53022 oarjet 2021 1 2 0110 via Researchgate Sister Cities of Compton comptonsistercities org Archived from the original on 2016 01 23 Retrieved 2013 07 02 Mejia Lutz Elena June 26 2017 Indy partners with Nigerian city for business cultural exchange The Indianapolis Star Retrieved June 26 2017 Ubah C N 1980 Western Education in Africa The Igbo Experience 1900 1960 Comparative Education Review 24 3 371 388 doi 10 1086 446154 JSTOR 1187793 S2CID 143942714 igbohistory www columbia edu Retrieved 2022 03 17 The News Independent Communications Network Limited 2008 My father scuttled my ambition to become a soldier Olisa Agbakoba Punch Newspapers 2018 04 22 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Behold the 2014 class of Nigeria national conference Premium Times Nigeria 2014 03 17 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Ed Keazor 2016 06 29 Celebrating Ajie Anthony Ukpabi Asika CFR 80 InlandTown 2021 01 27 Wednesday Woman Personality Flora Azikiwe Welcome To InlandTown Online Get hot information on Onitsha Retrieved 2022 03 18 Onyedika Chuke The Forever Museum Archive Circa 6000BCE LMCC Retrieved 2023 05 22 Ogbechie Sylvester Okwunodu 2008 Ben Enwonwu The Making of an African Modernist University Rochester Press ISBN 978 1 58046 235 8 Transafrican Journal of History East African Publishing House 1986 Once unknown Nigerian masterpiece by Ben Enwonwu up for sale BBC News 2020 10 08 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Kimeria Ciku 27 July 2019 How a Texas family discovered they owned a forgotten Ben Enwonwu portrait valued at 200 000 Quartz Retrieved 2021 06 29 Emmanuel Ifeajuna from Commonwealth Games gold to the firing squad the Guardian 2014 07 12 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Emmanuel Ifeajuna A Natural Spring Vanguard News 2018 06 09 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Arsenal youngster keen to play for Nigeria father insists Pulse Nigeria 2015 02 24 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Super Eagles tame Lions of Cameroon 3 2 in AFCON 2019 Vanguard News 2019 07 06 Retrieved 2021 06 29 There was once a bench The Guardian Nigeria News Nigeria and World News 2017 01 05 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Lawyers from childhood s fantasy planet The Sun Nigeria 2020 03 07 Retrieved 2021 06 29 chuku gloria 2011 01 01 Akyeampong Emmanuel K Gates Henry Louis eds Nwagboka Dictionary of African Biography Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 acref 9780195382075 001 0001 ISBN 978 0 19 538207 5 retrieved 2022 03 17 Tony Nwoye Archives Vanguard News Retrieved 2022 03 17 Newswatch Newswatch Communications Limited 2008 Who s who in Nigeria Newswatch 1990 ISBN 978 978 2704 12 2 Africa Who s who Africa Journal Limited 1991 ISBN 978 0 903274 17 3 Igbo Yoruba fight over maths Vanguard News 2018 04 21 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Towards a Peaceful Gubernatorial Election in Anambra By Chisom J Omeokachie Premium Times Opinion 2017 10 07 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Francis OBIKWELU World Athletics Retrieved 2022 03 19 chuku gloria 2011 01 01 Akyeampong Emmanuel K Gates Henry Louis eds Okala Janet Dictionary of African Biography Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 acref 9780195382075 001 0001 ISBN 978 0 19 538207 5 retrieved 2022 03 17 UNN Staff Profile www unn edu ng Retrieved 2022 03 17 5 things to know about Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekuru Pulse Nigeria 2018 11 09 Retrieved 2021 06 29 Who is Henry Onyekuru We profile the Nigerian striker wanted by Arsenal Sky Sports Retrieved 2021 06 29 Onyekuru reveals why he chose Everton over PSG BBC Sport Retrieved 2021 06 29 The People and history of OnitshaFurther reading edit Richard N Henderson June 2004 The King in Every Man Evolutionary Trends in Onitsha Ibo Society and Culture Richard Henderson ISBN 978 0 9740440 0 2 Retrieved from https en 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