Enugu: Heartland of Eastern Nigeria

For those wishing to have a foothold on Eastern Nigeria, coming into Enugu guarantees just that, not just because  of the historical antecedent of the city of the Igbos, but due mainly to booming economic, commercial, social, political and even education status of the coal city, as Enugu is also called.  Enugu has also been the “Strangers city” because it has been playing host to visitors almost from its inception.

Founded in 1909 when Mr. Kikson, a British mining engineer stumbled on large coal reserves in the Udi ridge while looking for silver. Lord Lugard, the then Colonial Governor took keen interest in the unexpected discovery, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made. Port Harcourt still thanks its existence to these mining shipments. Attracted by the increasing mining activities, Iva Valley, Coal Camp and Asata were established by foreign entrepreneurs and indigenous labourers.

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 British became more aware of the strategic interests of Enugu area; hence other foreign businesses began to move into Enugu. In 1939, Enugu became the capital of the Eastern Provinces of Nigeria, during which period 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 (GRA), a civil servant’s housing district exclusively reserved for administrative staff. It became the administrative city of the eastern region when the country was divided into three areas in 1951.

Enugu became more diversified in the 1960s 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. Presently, it also includes a large Mercedes ANAMMCO truck assembly plant.

By 1967 with the creation of 12 states in Nigeria, the coal city became the capital of the east Central State, and the city had grown from the original village population of 100 to 138,000 inhabitants.  The city’s expansion was helped by the high literacy rate amongst its population; most of whom were civil servants and business entrepreneurs. In 1967, it served briefly as the provisional capital of the secessionist Republic of Biafra and later became the capital of Anambra state in 1976. Currently, the city has 465,000 inhabitants and its city premises are spread over an area of 73 km2.

There is a large power station in Oji River, near Enugu which used to supply most of Enugu state’s electricity, though with the abandonment of coal as a main energy source, it is not fully operational presently. With the deregulation and the proposed privatization of electricity generation in Nigeria, the state Government is looking at private investors for the reactivation of the Oji River Power Station. This is more so with the proximity of the Enugu coalmines to the power station – a driving distance of about 20 minutes. Cost of living is generally affordable compared to other parts of Nigeria.

The city counts numerous social outlets and many hotels, including the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, a five star resort located next to the Nike Lake and once considered one of the jewels of Nigeria. There are over 200 health establishments, (private and public), well over 50 fuel filling stations, 90 hotels and restaurants, 17 different banks with 24 branches, a zoo, a museum and a golf course. It also hosts the British council library and various university faculties.

The typical Enugu person loves a good number of soups with meat or fish ingredients, served with pounded yam, eba (steamed garri), semovita or jollof rice.  The soups are mostly cooked with palm oil and the most popular ones are bitterleaf soup, vegetable soup, egusi soup and others.