Owerri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Location of Owerri in Nigeria

Owerri is a city in southeastern Nigeria. It is the capital of Imo State and is set in the heart of the Igboland. It is simply called Heartland. Owerri currently has a population of 165,470 and is approximately 40 square miles in area.

Owerri sits in a rain forest and produces many important agricultural products such as yams, cassava, taro, corn, rubber and palm products. It currently remains excellent in the industrial sector. It has an airport 14 miles southeast of the city, called the Imo Airport which provides service to Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

Owerri is the residence of the traditional Igbo regional monarch or eze, the Ozuruigbo of Owerri. The city's current traditional ruler is His Royal Highness Eze Dr. Emmanuel Emenyonu Njemanze.

Important educational institutions in Owerri include the Imo State University, the Federal University of Technology at Owerri, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, and the Government Secondary School of Owerri. The major industries include Fuason Industries Nig. Limited, a zinc galvanizing industry and Adapalm processing industries among many.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has its seat at Owerri and the city is also home to the large Assumpta Catholic Cathedral.

The soccer club Iwuanyanwu Nationale is also based here.