Imo State

Capital: Owerri

Main Towns:

Owerri
Okigwe
Mbaise
Orlu
Oguta
Nkwerre
Ikeduru
Population: 2.6m (approx)

History & Geography

Administratively created on 3rd February 1976 from the defunct East-Central State. It's bordered by the states of Delta in the west, Abia in the east, Rivers in the south and Anambra to the north. It consists of 27 Local Government Areas. Imo State has many rivers. The main rivers in the state are Imo, Otamiri and Njaba. The major lakes are Oguta (blue lake) and Abadaba.

People & Economy

Imo State is blessed with abundant natural resources. These include crude oil, lead, zinc, white clay, fine sand, limestone and natural gas in commercial quantities. The state also produces agricultural produce such as palm produce, cocoa and rubber. The main staple crops are yam, cassava and maize.

Main industries include Standard Shoes Company, Owerri, Clay Products; Ezinachi-Okigwe, Sack Hercules, Owerri, Nsu tile Factory, Imo Modern Poultry Limited, Avutu-Obowo; Fuason Industries, Resin Paints Limited, Aboh Mbaise and Aluminium Extrusion Industry, Inyisi. Sab Spare Parts and Allied Accessories, Okigwe, Owerri is an important industrial and educational centre. The main road network serves Owerri, Aba, Okigwe, Umuahia and other main towns.

Culture

The Mbari located at Ikenegbu, boasts a centre of various artefacts which depict the cultural heritage of the people. The Amphi Theatre is another gigantic work of art in the state. A theatre with a sitting capacity 3,000 is an example of the states modern effort to preserve their cultural heritage. There are also famous for their theatre and music.

Main institutions of higher learning include the Imo State University, Owerri; Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri; Federal University of Science and Technology, Owerri, Michael Okpara College of Agriculture, Umuagwu; and the Polytechnic, Nekede.

Tourism

Main tourist attractions in Imo State are the Mbari Centre, Ikenegbu; The Amphi-Theatre; Oguta Blue Lake & Oguta Lake Holiday Resort Oguta, colonial building with its attractive scenery and various species of birds; Okigwe rolling hills; where hill locks of varying heights add to the fascinating environment, Owerri Amusement Park. Main hotels include Imo Concord Hotel, Owerri; Modotel, Owerri; Oguta Lake Holiday Resort, Oguta; Palm Beach Tourist Village.

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