Nsukka

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Coordinates: 6°51′24″N 7°23′45″E / 6.85667, 7.39583
Nsukka
Nsukka
Country	Nigeria
State	Enugu State
Elevation	1,393 ft (425 m)
Population (2007)^[1]
- Total	117,086

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 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 Senatorial Zone had an estimated population of 117,086. ^[1] Nsukka Town is presently known mostly as the site of the University of Nigeria the first indigenous Nigerian University, founded by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first ceremonial President of Nigeria. Currently the town has a number of Federal Parastatals in the University such as NABDA, CBSS, and the Energy Research Centre. Slogan: The Pivotal Pillar

[edit] History

[aNsukka is home to the Igbo ethnic group. Little is known about the history of Nsukka except that the Nri-Igbo had contact with Nsukka in earlier periods. In July 1967, Nsukka was one of the first Biafran towns to be captured by the northern Nigerian forces during their so-called 'police action' at the outset of the Nigerian Civil War. This action created many refugees and contributed to the chaos and suffering inherent in this bloody conflict.

[edit] Events

According to Benjamin Chinweike Ezema (now called Ezemmah) Nsukka is a town that is made up of three prominent communities, viz, 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 viz - 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 half-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 that dots the length and breadth of the Town.

There is a number of festivals celebrated in Nsukka by the Nsukka indigenes, 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 famous '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 famous dried cocoyam (Echicha); et cetera, et cetera. Of the numerous festivals by which Nsukka town is known, only the Omaba festival is still being celebrated in the town.