Coal City State
July 2, 2008 by Keeper
Filed under BLOG, Banking, Business, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Government, Health, ICT, People, Tourism
Enugu State is an inland state in southeastern Nigeria. Its capital is Enugu, from which the state - created in 1991 from the old Anambra State - derives its name. The principal cities in the state are Enugu and Nsukka.
Enugu State is one of the States in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. The state shares borders with Abia and Imo States to the South, Ebonyi State to the East, Benue State to the Northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra State to the West.
The name of State derives from its capital city, Enugu. The word “Enugu” means “the top of the hill”. The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a British mining engineer, Kikson. In his quest for silver, he discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick Lugard took keen interest in the discovery, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made to Britain. As mining activities increased in the area, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, supported by a railway system. Enugu acquired township status in 1917, and became strategic to British interests. Foreign businesses began to move into Enugu, the most notable of which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, British Bank of West Africa and United Africa Company.
Government in Enugu State occurs at two levels, state and local. Overall authority is exercised by the Executive Governor, elected by popular mandate. Political authority is exercised under a presidential system of government. There is also a popularly elected legislature, the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Economically, the state is predominantly rural and agrarian, with a substantial proportion of its working population engaged in farming, although trading (18.8%) and services (12.9%) are also important. In the urban areas trading is the dominant occupation, followed by services. A small proportion of the population is also engaged in manufacturing activities, with the most pronounced among them located in Enugu, Oji, Ohebedim and Nsukka.
Enugu State has a population of about 2.5 million people. It is home to the Igbo and the Igala people, among others.
I am indeed very happy to know a lot of things about Enugu which i am proudly from but i want to know if the igala speakers are the people from enugu-ezike? KEEP THE FLAG FLYING ENUGU STATE (EBE-ANO)
It is one of those strange things in Nigeria. No doubts, the Igalas have very close relationship with the Enugu-Ezike people but due to state creations the Igala’s have found themselves in Benue State today; however, they hare a lot in common in their cultures and traditions even in their names.
that was a very good write-up about this great state of Nigeria. it will be necessary that information on this web is updated on a regullaar basis with detailed information on the geographical location of enugu. keep it up.
Kudos for what you have done so far towards the marketing of Enugu state, Nigeria. However, we need more information on Enugu state more espacially about tourism in the state
We are gradually building the site up as you can see and we promise not to disappoint you.
go ENUGU will in no time be your single source of information on ENUGU State.
Keep a date with us.
Apart from politics ,our youths these days are so lucky to have what they have today and yet they moan and give excuses for robbing people and the women for being articles for sale.This shames me as a nigerian and infact our women do not satisfy us anymore hence its about money.
Our girls should learn to be comtempted.
otis.
Good work, please try to update this site with more information on the local government activities (new development,land matters etc)
Thats’s wonderful, keep it up, am glad to know more about my beloved state,but its important to upgrade the website as we grow socio-politically and economically,thanks alot.
cudos wonderful history
I love enugu state iam in Aba Abia state
I will like to know the contact address / location of coal processing plant in Enugu State……….. I won’t forget to say am proud of ENUGU STATE.