Nsukka
Encyclopedia
Nsukka is a town and Local Government Area in South-East Nigeria
in Enugu State
. Other towns that share common border with Nsukka, such as Enugu Ezike, Orba and Obollo-Afor (formerly centre of the palm oil
trade), Ede-Oballa
, Uzo Uwani and Mkpologwu, now also claim the name Nsukka, hence they all collectively fall into the political zoning system in Nigeria known as Senatorial Zone. As of 2007 Nsukka Cultural Zone had an estimated population of 1377001. Nsukka Town is known as the site of the University of Nigeria
, the first indigenous Nigerian University, founded by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
, the first President of Nigeria. Currently the town has a number of Federal Parastatals in the University such as NABDA, CBSS, and the Energy Research Centre.
The postal code
of the area is 410.
ethnic group. Little is known about the history of Nsukka except that the Kingdom of Nri
had contact with Nsukka in earlier periods. In July 1967, Nsukka was one of the first Biafra
n towns to be captured by the northern Nigerian forces during their so-called 'police action' at the outset of the Nigerian-Biafran War. This action, during which Nsukka's university was burned down, created many refugees and contributed to the chaos and suffering inherent in this bloody conflict. Barrister Tony Ugwu is the New chairman of Nsukka local government.
There are a number of festivals celebrated in Nsukka by the Nsukka people, such as the Omabe Masquerade Festival; the Onwa Eto, or Onwa Ito (the 3rd moon) Festival, which is characterized by the slaughtering of several fowls in each household for each child in the household and in memory of deceased family members; the Onwa Ise (the 5th moon Festival - which is also known as the moon that marks the beginning of the harvesting of yams (some people call it the New Yam Festival); Onwa Esa'a (the 7th moon Festival); the Onunu Festival which is characterized by the going to 'Nkwo' market Arena (where the 'Oromme' Dance, traditional wrestling, etc., was performed); The Onwa Esa'a (the 7th Moon Festival) was noted as the period for the commencement of the eating of the dried cocoyam
(Echicha). Of the numerous festivals by which Nsukka was known, only the Omaba festival is still being celebrated in the town.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
in Enugu State
Enugu State
Enugu State is a mainland 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, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Oji, and Nsukka....
. Other towns that share common border with Nsukka, such as Enugu Ezike, Orba and Obollo-Afor (formerly centre of the palm oil
Palm oil
Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the...
trade), Ede-Oballa
Ede-Oballa
Ede-Oballa is a suburban area of Nsukka located south of the main town.-Notable residents:Notable residents include,Danigold Ugwuja - The chairman of Nsukka Local GovernmentEngineer Vita Abba- PDP Chairman Enugu State...
, Uzo Uwani and Mkpologwu, now also claim the name Nsukka, hence they all collectively fall into the political zoning system in Nigeria known as Senatorial Zone. As of 2007 Nsukka Cultural Zone had an estimated population of 1377001. Nsukka Town is known as the site of the University of Nigeria
University of Nigeria
The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Founded in 1955 and formally opened on 7 October 1960, the University of Nigeria has four campuses – Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla – located in Enugu State and one in Aba, Abia...
, the first indigenous Nigerian University, founded by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe , usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe and popularly known as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism who became the first President of Nigeria after Nigeria secured its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960; holding the...
, the first President of Nigeria. Currently the town has a number of Federal Parastatals in the University such as NABDA, CBSS, and the Energy Research Centre.
The LGA
Nsukka LGA has an area of 1,810 km² and a population of 309,633 at the 2006 census. The Local Government Headquarters is located in the hilly and green sites which Nsukka is known for close to colonial quarters of the pre-Independence years. Presently the Chairman of the Local Government Area council is Bar. Anthony Okechi Ugwu who assumed leadership in early 2010.The postal code
Postal code
A postal code is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail. Once postal codes were introduced, other applications became possible.In February 2005, 117 of the 190 member countries of the Universal Postal Union had postal code systems...
of the area is 410.
History
Nsukka is home to members of the IgboIgbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
ethnic group. Little is known about the history of Nsukka except that the Kingdom of Nri
Kingdom of Nri
The Kingdom of Nri was the West African medieval state of the Nri-Igbo, a subgroup of the Igbo people, and is the oldest kingdom in Nigeria. The Kingdom of Nri was unusual in the history of world government in that its leader exercised no military power over his subjects...
had contact with Nsukka in earlier periods. In July 1967, Nsukka was one of the first Biafra
Biafra
Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra . The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious...
n towns to be captured by the northern Nigerian forces during their so-called 'police action' at the outset of the Nigerian-Biafran War. This action, during which Nsukka's university was burned down, created many refugees and contributed to the chaos and suffering inherent in this bloody conflict. Barrister Tony Ugwu is the New chairman of Nsukka local government.
Events
According to Benjamin Chinweike Ezema (now called Ezemmah) Nsukka is a town that is made up of three prominent communities; the Nkpunanor community, the Ihe n'Owerre community and the Nru community. Oral history about Nsukka Town has it that it has a very close tie with three other neighbouring towns ; Obukpa, Okpuje and Eha as they are said to have common ancestral origin. The first three - Nsukka, Obukpa and Okpuje are siblings of Asadu Ideke Alumona while the last - Eha is a relation to the earlier three. The town is therefore called 'Eha-Alumona'. Nsukka town has very ancient culture and tradition which is almost lost in antiquity due to the late awakening of the indigenes to the relevance and necessity of the pursuit of intellectual erudition and research. Each of these communities is composed of many other small villages and clans.There are a number of festivals celebrated in Nsukka by the Nsukka people, such as the Omabe Masquerade Festival; the Onwa Eto, or Onwa Ito (the 3rd moon) Festival, which is characterized by the slaughtering of several fowls in each household for each child in the household and in memory of deceased family members; the Onwa Ise (the 5th moon Festival - which is also known as the moon that marks the beginning of the harvesting of yams (some people call it the New Yam Festival); Onwa Esa'a (the 7th moon Festival); the Onunu Festival which is characterized by the going to 'Nkwo' market Arena (where the 'Oromme' Dance, traditional wrestling, etc., was performed); The Onwa Esa'a (the 7th Moon Festival) was noted as the period for the commencement of the eating of the dried cocoyam
Cocoyam
Cocoyam can mean:* Taro - old cocoyam* Malanga - new cocoyam...
(Echicha). Of the numerous festivals by which Nsukka was known, only the Omaba festival is still being celebrated in the town.