The rich History, People and Culture, Geography, Attractions, Eating out, Shopping, Hotels and Gallery- ABIA STATE
ABIA STATE- “ GOD’S OWN STATE’’

Located in south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Abia State was created out of the old Imo in 1991 with its capital is Umuahia. The state is divided into seventeen local government areas which include
Aba-North, Aba-South, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, Isala-Ngwa North, Isiala-Ngwa South, Isikwato, Umu-Nneochi, Obi Ngwa, Ohafia, Osisoma Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa-East, Ukwa-West, Umuahia-North, Umuahia-South.

History
Abia State was carved out of Imo State on 27th August, 1991. The name ‘Abia’ is an acronym from the first letters of four groups of people – Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato and Afikpo now in Ebonyi State. Abia State was carved out of the former Imo State in 1991.

People & Culture
Abia people are of the Igbo ethnic group who predominates much of the Southeastern part of Nigeria. Their traditional language is Igbo with English widely spoken and serves as the official language in governance and business. Globally, Igbos are well travelled. Abia’s 2.4m people are mainly Christians and entrepreneurial. They are known and reputed to be industrious, highly market oriented, very hospitable and accommodating, probably due to their migratory nature.

Geography
Covering a total of 5,243.7sqkm land area, Abia State is bounded on the north and northeast by the states of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi respectively. To the west is Imo State, to the east and southeast are Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State, and to the south is Rivers State. The southern part of the State lies within the riverine part of Nigeria. It is low-lying with a heavy rainfall of about 2400 mm/year especially intense between the months of April through October.

Weather/Climate
There are two seasons in the year, namely: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season begins in March and ends in October with a break in August usually referred to as the “little dry season.” The dry season which lasts for four months begins in November. Heavy thunderstorm are characteristic of the onset of the rainy season.
The total rainfall decreases from 2200mm in the ie south to 1900mm in the north. The

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The rich History, People and Culture, Geography, Attractions, Eating out, Shopping, Hotels and Gallery- IMO STATE
Imo State – “Eastern Heartland”

Located in south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Imo State, which derives its name from Imo River, was created in 1976 and it is nicknamed “eastern heartland”. The state is divided into twenty
seven local government areas which include Aboh-Mbaise, Ahizau-Mbaise, Ehime-Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato-North, Ideato-South, Ihitte/Uboma, Ikeduru, Isiala-Mbano, Isu, Mbaitoli, Ngor-Okpala, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nkwangele, Obowo, Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema, Okigwe, Onuimo, Orlu, Orsu, Oru-East, Oru-West, Owerri -Municipal, Owerri-North and Owerri-West.

History
The area known as Imo State today was originally part of the defunct East Central State which was one of the twelve states initially created in 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon’s regime. The old Imo State which originally included Abia province was later created in 1976 before Abia State was carved out of the state in 1991 by General Ibrahim Babangida. Imo State derived its name from Imo River, which takes it course from the Okigwe/Akwa upland.

People & Culture
Imo State has an estimated population of about 4.8 million and the population density varies from 230-1,400 people per square kilometer. The state is culturally homogeneous as it is a predominantly Igbo speaking state with minor differences in dialects. Imo State has a very rich cultural heritage and this is manifested in dressing, music, dance, festivals, arts and crafts, and the traditional hospitality of the people.

Geography
Covering an area of about 5,100sq km, Imo State lies within latitudes 4°45’N and 7°15’N, and longitude 6°50’E and 7°25’E. It occupies the area between the lower River Niger and the upper and middle Imo River. The state is bounded on the east by Abia State, on the west by the River Niger and Delta State; and on the north by Anambra State, while Rivers State lies to the south.

Weather/Climate
The rainy season is between March and October or early November and rainfall is often at its maximum at night and during the early morning hours. However, variations occur in rainfall amount from year to year as annual rainfall usually varies from 1,990 mm to 2,200 mm.
Temperatures are similar all over the state with hottest months between January and March. The

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The rich History, People and Culture, Geography, Attractions, Eating out, Shopping, Hotels and Gallery- EBONYI STATE
Ebonyi State – “The Salt Of The Nation”

Located in south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Ebonyi State was created in 1996 and it is called “the salt of the nation” for its huge salt deposit at the Okposi and Uburu salt lakes. The state is divided into thirteen local government
areas which include Abakaliki, Afikpo South, Afikpo North, Ebonyi, Effium, Ezza, Ezza South, Ikwo, Ishielu, Ivo, Ohaozara, Ohaukwu and Onicha.

History
Ebonyi State is one of six new states created in 1996 late General Sanni Abacha’s administration when it was carved out of the old Abakaliki division of Enugu State and the old Afikpo division of Abia State.

People & Culture
Ebonyi State has an estimated population of 4,339,136 based on the 2005 census and the inhabitants are spread across 5,935 square kilometers. The state is predominantly dominated by the Igbos with other minority ethnic groups from neighbouring states.
The people of the state are predominantly farmers and traders. The main crops produced in the state are rice, yam, palm produce, cocoa, maize, groundnut, plantain, banana, cassava, melon, sugar cane, beans, fruits and vegetables. Fishing is also carried out in Afikpo.

Geography
With a land area of about 5,935 sq. km, Ebonyi State is popularly known as the ‘Salt of the Nation’ apparently because of the large deposits of salt water in the state. The State shares a border with Benue State to the North, Enugu State to the west, Imo and Abia States to the south and Cross River State to the east.

Weather/Climate
The tropical climate of the state is broadly of two seasons which are the rainy season between April and October and dry season between November and March. A temperature throughout the year ranges between 21 °C to 29 °C and humidity is relatively high. The

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The rich History, People and Culture, Geography, Attractions, Eating out, Shopping, Hotels and Gallery- ANAMBRA STATE
Anambra State – “Light Of The Nation”

Located in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Anambra State is an inland state with its capital in Awka. The people of the state are warm, hospitable and highly enterprising and could be found engaged in trading all over the
country. The state is comprised of 21 local government areas namely Aguata, Anambra, Anambra East, Awka North, Awka South, Anaocha, Ayamelu, Dukunofia, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ojoto, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, Ekwusigo, Njikoka, Idemili North, Idemili South, Orumba North, Orumba South, Anaocha, and Ihiala.

History
Anambra State was created in 1976 from the old East Central State with its capital at Enugu. A further reorganization of the Nigerian federation in 1991 saw the state divided into two states, Anambra and Enugu states with its new capital at Awka.
People & CultureThe state is predominantly occupied by the Igbo ethnic group who by nature are farmers, fishermen, craftsmen and traders. Among crops grown by farmers in the state are yam, palm produce, rice, cassava, cocoyam, vegetables, and different varieties of fruit trees among others. They are also involved in fishing, particularly those living in the riverine areas of the state, while their craftsmanship are nationally and internationally recognized as evident in the iron smithing works of Awka people, the bronze sculptures of Igbo Ukwu etc.
Anambra state is renowned for its abundant works of art and this explains the avalanche of art centres and artists found in the state. The state is home to magnificent bronze works, iron works, pottery and artists that place the state in the league of the most cultural endowed states in Nigeria.

Geography
Anambra State is located in the south central area of south eastern Nigeria. With Imo State, it forms the heartland of Igbo land. It has an estimated population of 7,821,850 million people which stretches over about 60 kilometers between surrounding communities. It is reputed to have the highest population density in Africa with an estimated density of 1500 – 2000 persons per square kilometer.
The state is bordered by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. Though its mineral resources remain untapped, Anambra State is rich in natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, ceramics and arable soil.

Weather/Climate
Anambra State boasts of undulating landscape with tall trees and rich vegetation that is green all year round. The state experiences two major seasons, the rainy season which starts at the end of the month of March and lasts till end of October and the dry season which starts in the month of November and ends in the month of March. It

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The rich History, People and Culture, Geography, Attractions, Eating out, Shopping, Hotels and Gallery- ENUGU STATE
Enugu State – “The Coal City State”

Located in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Enugu State is an inland state with its capital in Enugu city. The state derives its name from the capital city which was established in 1912 as a small coal mining town, but later grew to
become the capital of the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. The people of the state are warm, hospitable and highly enterprising and could be found engaged in trading all over the country.

History
Enugu State was created on August 27, 1991 with the city of Enugu as its capital. In 1967, when the Gowon administration created twelve states in Nigeria, Enugu remained the capital of the East Central State of Nigeria, one of the three states carved out of the former Easthern Region.
Enugu State derives its name from the capital city, ENUGU (top of the hill) which is regarded as the oldest urban area in the Igbo speaking area of Southeast Nigeria. The city owes its geopolitical significance to the discovery of coal in 1909 by a team of British geologists. The discovery of the solid mineral in the area brought about the emergence of a permanent cosmopolitan settlement which influenced the construction of a railway line to link the Enugu coal fields with the sea port in Port Harcourt for the export of the mineral.

People & Culture
The state is predominantly occupied by the Igbo ethnic group, which has two important annual Igbo traditional festivals; the New Yam festival and the Mmanwu festival. The new yam festival also known as ‘iwa ji’, is held between August and October marking the harvesting and feasting of the new yam. The yam is a root vegetable that is the staple crop and a cultural symbol for the Igbo people.
The Mmanwu festival takes place in November and features various types of masquerades that each have a name. This festival is held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu as a parade of carnival-like masquerades that are accompanied by music and it is supported by the Enugu Council of Arts and Culture. Other notable festivals in Enugu include the Enugu Festival of Arts which was established in 1986.
The festival which highlights African culture and traditions is a modern is managed by the Enugu Council of Arts and Culture. The festival has in the past been witnessed by notable figures such as Diana, Princess of Wales who was a notable spectator of the 1990 edition of the festival.

Geography
Enugu State shares borders with Abia State and Imo State to the south, Ebonyi State to the east, Benue State to the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra State to the west. Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, is approximately 2½ driving hours away from Port Harcourt, where coal shipments exited Nigeria.

Weather/Climate
The state is located in a tropical rain forest zone which means that it has a tropical savanna climate. The climate is humid and this humidity is at its highest between March and November. For the whole of Enugu State the mean daily temperature is 26.7 °C (80.1 °F). As in the rest of West Africa, the rainy season and dry season are the only weather periods that recur in the state.
The

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