Asaba

Asaba[3] is the capital city of Delta State, Nigeria. It is located at the western bank of the Niger River, in the Oshimili South Local Government Area.[4][5][6] Asaba had a population of 149,603 as at the 2006 census,[1] and a metropolitan population of over half a million people.[7][4]

For other uses, see Asaba (disambiguation).

Asaba
City
A street in Asaba
A street in Asaba
Nickname: 
Ani Mmili
Asaba is located in Nigeria
Asaba
Asaba
Location of Asaba in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°11′N 6°44′E
CountryNigeria
StateDelta State
LGAOshimili South.
Area
 • Total268 km2 (103 sq mi)
Population
 (2006 census)[1]
 • Total149,603
 • Estimate 
(2011)
176,060[2]
 • Density560/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
ClimateAw
Websiteasaba.com
Nnebisi road Asaba

Asaba is well known for social activities and amenities such as hotels, clubs, cinemas, malls, event centre, etc. It holds a yearly program named Delta Yaddah which always hosts a series of gospel singers among others. Because of the presence of foreigners in the state, the cost of living is high in Asaba. The Onitsha bridge is the boundary between Delta and Anambra state, as the bridge separates Asaba and Onitsha.

Etymology

Asaba is from the exclamation Ahabam, meaning "I have chosen well", a quote from the Nnebisi, the founding father of Asaba.[8][4][5]

History

The city of Asaba was once the colonial capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate.[9] It was founded in 1884.[10] Between 1886 and 1900, it hosted the Royal Niger Company, which the British authorities set up to stimulate trade and the exportation of goods to England.[9] That company has grown today into UAC Nigeria PLC. Scottish explorer William B. Balkie, when signing a trade treaty with Igbo chief Ezebogo in Asaba on 30 August 1885, remarked "After our salutations, I spoke of friendship, of trade, and of education, and particularly enlarged upon the evils of war, and the benefits of peace, all of which was well received".[11]: 318 

Owing to Asaba's influential history and geography, and current strategic political and economic influence in Nigeria, Asaba is generally known as the regional capital of the Anioma area.[12] The clamor for creation of Anioma state has been going on for decades.[12]

Geography

Asaba is situated on a terrace of the lower Niger River, overlooking the point where the Anambra River flows into it. Beyond the river banks, on the high plains which are far more extensive than the river basins, secondary forest vegetation flourishes.[5] The historic Niger River is a trans-African link beginning from West Africa and down into the Atlantic Ocean.[4] Asaba forms a connector between western, eastern and northern Nigeria through the Niger River from the north and via the Asaba Niger Bridge, an east–west link and a Nigerian landmark.[4]

Asaba Niger bridge

Asaba lies approximately 6 degrees north of the equator and about the same distance east of the meridian; about 160 kilometres (100 mi) north of where the River Niger flows into the Atlantic Ocean.[5] The greater Asaba occupies an area of about 300 square kilometers. It maintains an average tropical temperature of 32 °C during the dry season and an average fertile rainfall of 2,700 millimetres (106 in) during the rainy season.

Greater Asaba includes some of the other neighboring communities such as Igbuzo, Okpanam, Oko, Okwe and Ugbolu on the western section of the Niger River.

Culture

Asaba is culturally led by the highly revered Asagba of Asaba, to whom the leaders (individually referred to as the “Diokpa”) of each of the five settlement quarters (locally identified as Ebos) report directly on matters affecting the community.[5][4] The Asagba is assisted by the Iyasele of Asaba [Iyase] who is the customary Prime Minister as well as a council of chiefs and elders [Olinzele, Otu Ihaza, Oloto, etc.]

Demographics
Anchor statue at Landers Brothers Anchorage, Asaba

Igbo people constitute 63% of the total population of Asaba.

Since becoming the administrative capital of Delta State, Asaba has grown in population to over half a million people. Today, it maintains a cosmopolitan population representative of the diverse cultures in Delta State and across Nigeria.[4]

Economy

Asaba is an administrative area and seat of government established during the time of the Royal Niger Company (now UACN), and is the administrative capital of Delta state. Thus civil service leads the economy and economic activities of the city's inhabitants. The Nigerian government through the administration of Samuel Ogbemudia established the Asaba Textile Mills[13] and a power substation at Asaba. The city of Asaba hosts some pharmaceutical companies that manufacture medicines and there is also a steel mill within the city. Tourism also attracts revenue into the city, which has resulted to a booming hospitality business.

Markets

There are three major markets in Asaba: Ogbe-Ogonogo Market, Cable Point Market,Infant Jesus Market, Iyanga Market and Wazobia Commodity Market

Sport
Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba

The Stephen Keshi Stadium at Asaba, which had a face-lift to satisfy local fans, has hosted several international competitions and soccer events since it was upgraded by the administration of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and commissioned by Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo.[14] The stadium is the home of Delta Force FC.

Transport

Air

The city of Asaba and neighboring cities are accessible by air through the Asaba International Airport.[15][16]

Road
Nnebisi road Asaba

The Asaba-Benin express road is an important road which connects parts of eastern Nigeria with western Nigeria. There is also a road that connects areas of Asaba with Ughelli, while the Asaba-Ebu road connects the city with northern Nigeria.

Water

Asaba is served by water transportation available through the Niger River, which surrounds most parts of the African city.

Notable people
  • Ogbe-Ogonogo Market
    Ogbe-Ogonogo Market
  • Asaba roundabout
    Asaba roundabout
  • Asaba market
    Asaba market

See also

References
  1. "Federal Republic of Nigeria: 2006 Population Census" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. "Delta (state, Nigeria)". population.de. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  3. Isichei, Elizabeth Allo (1997). A History of African Societies to 1870. Cambridge University Press. p. 249. ISBN 0-521-45599-5. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  4. "About Asaba". asaba.com/about/. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  5. "Asaba Progressive Union". www.asabaatl.org/about.html. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  6. Okenwa Nwosu (Igbo Focus) (2 January 2014). "The Politics of Second Niger Bridge". www.igbofocus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  7. "A History and Tradition". Asaba Online. Asaba Progressive Front. Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  8. "Great Goddess And Shrine Of Asaba People". Leadership. 23 September 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  9. "Asaba". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  10. Letters from Nigeria, D.W. Carnegie, BiblioBazaar, LLC, ISBN 978-1-103-27100-9
  11. Baikie, William Baleour (1856). "Narrative of an Exploring Voyage up the rivers of Kwora and Binue commonly known as Niger and TSADDA in 1885 with a map and appendices". ia600303.us.archive.org. John Mueray, Albemarle Street (Published with a sanction of Her Majesty's Government). Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  12. "Anioma: Nigeria 37th State in the Making". umuanioma.com. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  13. "Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (1932=2017)". Guardian (Nigeria). 24 March 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  14. "Delta Obasanjo commissions stephen keshi stadium". Vanguard (Nigeria). 19 November 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  15. "Delta Govt hands over Asaba Airport to concessionaire". Vanguard News. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  16. "Delta State Government". Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  17. Teniola, Eric (9 September 2021). "Asiodu, the last titan after Ahmed Joda". Vanguard News. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  18. "Epiphany Azinge (SAN): A worthy fellow". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  19. "Asaba. A long history and Tradition". Asaba Online. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  20. BellaNaija.com (2 March 2015). "Lynxxx: Everybody We Went to Seeking a Record Deal Rejected Us and Then We Decided to Start Our Own". BellaNaija. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  21. Udo, Mary (13 March 2017). "NDILI, Frank Nwachukwu". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  22. Udo, Mary (20 March 2017). "NWAOMU, Dr. Patrick Ike". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  23. "Checkout Details Of Emma Nyra's Career, Personal Life And Scandals". Within Nigeria. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  24. Davis, Todd (3 February 2017). "[INTERVIEW] Afro Pop Sister Trio, SHiiKANE Epitomize Black Girl Magic". Parle Magazine — The Online Voice of Urban Entertainment. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
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