Owerri.
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Overview

Owerri (əˈwɛrɪ) city is the capital of Imo State, South East Nigeria. Owerri is set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state's largest city.

Owerri is home to popular higher institutions such as the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, and several secondary and primary schools. There is a government hospital and a teaching hospital, and private hospitals of varying sizes. The town is located in one of the most densely populated areas of Nigeria and is inhabited by the predominantly Christian Igbo people.

Understand

The slogan of Owerri is "Eastern Heartland". It is called the "entertainment capital of Nigeria" because of its high density of spacious hotels, high street casinos, production studios and high quality centres of relaxation. It consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West. Owerri is a major trade centre for yams, cassava, garri (cassava flakes), corn [maize], and palm products for a region of modified rainforest that also yields rubber for export.

In 2016, it had a population of 1.4 million people, and is approximately 100 km² (40 sq mi) in area. Owerri is bordered by the Otamiri River to the east and the Nworie River to the south. Owerri is home to the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, and several secondary schools. It is also served by a general hospital and a federal hospital – Federal Medical Center, Owerri.

It is bordered by the states of Anambra to the north, Abia (until 1991 part of Imo state) to the east, and Rivers to the south and west. Climate

Owerri has a temperature of 28.24ºC (82.83ºF) and it is -1.22% lower than Nigeria's averages. It typically receives about 229.07 millimeters (9.02 inches) of precipitation and has 262.95 rainy days (72.04% of the time) annually.

History Owerri was founded in the 14th century by founding father Ekwem Oha. His mother's name was Arugo. He fled from Umuori Village, Uratta in Owerri North, the Local Government Area of Imo State, when his life was threatened by his younger brother Ndum. The British first entered the territory in 1901, when they established a military post in the region. Imo consists of coastal lowlands to the east of the Niger River. Most of the state’s original tropical rain forest vegetation has been replaced by more open areas of oil-palm bush. Owerri is mainly inhabited by the Igbo (Ibo). It is one of the most densely populated cities in Nigeria and Christianity is the predominant religion.

Get in

The town is at the intersection of major roads from Aba in Abia State, Onitsha in Anambra State, Port Harcourt in Rivers state, and Umuahia in Abia State.

By plane Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport has passenger flights from Abuja (1 hr, from ₦114,000) and Lagos (1 hr, from ₦114,000) on Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines (as of June 2021). United Nigeria also flies from Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Asaba. Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is located in Ngor Okpala LGA in Imo State.

By bus Many transport companies in Owerri offer daily services from almost all major cities and states around the country as well as international destinations in West Africa like Ghana and Cameroon. The buses are usually comfortable for short and long journeys. You can travel to Owerri from major cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin and Kano. Some of the transport companies are Imo Transport Company (ITC) (with air conditioned bus), ABC Transport (with air conditioned luxurious bus rides), Ekene Dili Chukwu, Chisco Transport (CTN), The Young Shall Grow, God Is Good Motors, Peace Mass Transit and Abia Line.

Get around

The main forms of transportation in the city are buses. Okada (motorcycles) are not allowed to ply in Owerri city, however, there are designated streets in that allows Okada transportation. Most transport enters and leaves the city of Owerri through Egbu Road Motor Park and Control Post Motor Park.

See

Owerri Zoo. Sits on 10 hectares of reserved forest and houses a large variety of animals including lions, pythons, gorillas, crocodiles, ostriches and monkeys.

Freedom Square Chief Uwunna Recreational Park

Freedom Square. A place where people have fun and relax.

Imo State Council for Arts and Centre. Repository of the culture, history and tradition of Igbo people. It has sculptures and artefacts in it that tell the story of the Igbo culture. Artistic representations of several deities are among their holdings.

National Museum Owerri. Contains artefacts and history of the Igbo people.

Oguta Lake. A beautiful serene environment, though it was not always peaceful and was the last stand of the Nigerian Civil War called the Biafran War, where the Biafrans surrendered. The garden is popular for picnics and pictures.

Chief Uwunna Recreational Park. A cool recreation park inside the Imo University a good place to relax from a busy day and open to all. It has a central location in the university.

Heroes square. A mini-stadium and statues of past leaders.

Dan Anyiam Stadium. Football field, handball field, basketball field and parking space.

Ahiajoku Convention center. Gallery with stainless steel railings and granite and non-slip floors.

Imo State Government house. The Governor's office, The executive council chamber, the Government house chapel and the press briefing room

Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Dominating the city skyline with its grand modern architecture, this breathtaking hilltop cathedral features soaring ceilings and vibrant stained-glass windows that come alive during its famously spirited Sunday services. As the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri, it stands as one of the most prominent religious and geographic landmarks in town.

Do

Oru Owerri which is also known as Oru Eze (the kings festival) is a festival and cultural carnival celebrated annually Owerri people in remembrance of the creation of Owere (Owerri) by Ekwem Oha. It is celebrated by five traditional villages in Owerri Municipal. The festival is celebrated every year in July and it lasts for one week.The festival kicks off at Ugwu Ekwema (Ekwema's hill) where a community civic centre was built. The festival commences with roasting and eating of special yams.

Imo Carnival. Outdoor recreational space with tons of people visiting during the carnival. It is a showcase of the rich and beautiful cultural heritage of the people. Participants are attired in different costumes and parade the streets of Owerri with lots of musical, dance and varying entertainment.

IHOP Children Park. The children’s park has a lot of green areas, a playground, games and activities to play with. There is a bush bar, and restaurant. There’s a restroom for visitors and parking lots could be a bit cumbersome as they are on the other side of the park. This park borders Hero’s Apartment and Ojukwu Park. Nice for family and group activities It is accessible for handicapped people too. Wheelchair users can get through the entrance and move through the walkways easily.

Peace Island Recreational Area. A recreation centre where you can bask in nature.

Dream World Amusement Park. It has lots of games for different age groups, from kid friendly ones to ones for teenagers and adults, in a serene environment. There is a spinning ride that is very terrifying. They also sell food and soft drinks inside. It is a kid-friendly place.

Buy

Shoprite Owerri. It is a really large mall, and you are spoilt with a choice variety of shops. There is also an array of unlimited restaurants. It is a nice place to shop as you have a choice of things you can buy, all under one roof.

Gemezu Farm. Figerlings, snails, rabbits, goats, etc.

Markets There are two main urban markets in Owerri namely: Ekeukwu Owerri Market and Relief Market. These markets operates daily from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, shops in the market are usually locked, then traders stay by the road side and sell their goods.

Most goods in Owerri are sold in open markets or by street hawkers. A significant number of street hawkers are children and youth. Relief Market is a major market for the sale of garri, baskets of tomatoes, bags of onions, etc. It is patronized by merchants from stats such as Aba, Umuahia, Enugu and Onitsha. Non-food goods are also sold in Relief market while Ekeukwu Owerri market clothing, household wares, beauty products are sold there and also food items.

Nworie lane industrial market. Sewing machines, fabrics and foods.

Market Square. They sell cosmetics, house hold items, beverages, snacks and food

Eke Orogwe Market. Vegetables, fish, meat, garri, clothes and other household items.

Priceless Supermarket. Drinks, snacks, fruits, cosmetics and other household items.

Irete market. Food stuff, palm wine, clothes, etc.

World bank market. An agriculture farm produce market

Orji market. An agriculture produce market

Eke megbuoha. One of the major markets in Owerri city where freshly agricultural products and other commodities are always available and sold.

Supermarkets There are also beautiful supermarkets for shopping. Some of them offer in-store shopping, pick-up, and delivery.

Everyday Supermarket Eporium 4 at Israel Nwoba Street. It offers a wide range of products from hair and beauty products to groceries, snd household items. Glorisco Supermarket at # 14 Mbaise Road Estevia Supermarket #39 Quinters Youth Opp Civic Centre Estate, Concorde Ave, New Owerri Multilife Supermarket at #30 Mbari Street Macjeo Supermarket at #10 Old Market Road

Eat

There are numerous restaurants and fast foods where you can eat local and delicious cuisines. Most of them offer dine-in, takeaway and delivery.

Jevinik Restaurant. Jevinik Restaurant provides its customers with a wide range of food delicacies on soup, stew, small chops, African and intercontinental cuisines.

Kilimanjaro Fast Food and Restaurants. A Sundry Foods’ brand. It offers meals such as plantain porridge and beef kebab, yam fritters and breaded fish.

Joseph Spot. Chicken, jollof rice, noodles, spicy cow feet, nkwobi, ugba.

Feedwell Restaurant ikenegbu. Mainly swallow foods ranging from ₦1,000-5,000.

Resident Kitchen & Bar. Resident kitchen and bar. Local foods. Bush meats. Palm wine. Okpa and zobo flex. Grill. Continental dishes. Outdoor and indoor service.

Barbecue and sharwama village owerri.

Old English Bar & Grills. From fire service wethdral stop at Government roundabout take your right and locate the first junction then take right again to locate the first junction then turn left to the place

Sunnic Foods. Fried rice, Chinese rice, jollof, shawarma, bread, drinks, etc.

Mama G Restaurant. Nigerian and other African cuisines.

The Hungryman Restaurants. Offers local and continental dishes, food delivery and catering services, waiter services, reservations and more.

Owa Home Kitchen. African dishes and other varieties.

Fox Bar & Grill. Premium Rooftop Bar, a lounge with a mix of garden experience located on a penthouse giving you the 360-degree view of Owerri.

Fidwel's Restaurant And Bar. Fidwel's Restaurant And Bar prepares and serves different local and foreign dishes such as okra soup, nkwuobi, rice, and so on while live band and performances go on.

Cubana Lounge. Cubana Lounge is a restaurant, bar and grill spot as well as a night club in a cool and cozy environment with modern facilities.

De Angels bar and grills. De Angels bar and grills is a dine in establishment serving local and intercontinental dishes, and chilled drinks.

Benue Kitchen. Benue Kitchen serves varieties of local dishes such as egusi soup, chicken, meat and fish pepper soup, okra soup, and lots of other items.

Big Mummy's Kitchen. Big Mummy's Kitchen specialize in preparing and serving local delicacies as well as intercontinental meals including nsala soup, pepper soup, jollof rice and many others.

Aka Ose Restaurant & Lounge. Aka Ose Restaurant & Lounge serves breakfast and lunch with their menu ranging from tea and egg, noodles and egg, pepper soup, rice and so on.

Chicken Republic fast food. Chicken salad, fried rice, chicken bucket and drinks.

Mangrove Delicious. Chicken pie, cakes, jollof rice, drinks,fried rice and dried fish

The CEO. Fish and chips, fried rice, Chinese rice, vodka, mushroom soup,

Cravings by Ora. Bons, fish pie, fish roll, egg roll, donut, chicken pie,

Mama Akara. Fried fish, fried yam, fried Akara, fried potatoes.

The Shepherds Kitchen. Chips, fried rice, jelof rice, spaghetti Bolognese

Chybest food. White rice and vegetables, indomie and egg, cow meat, goat meat etc.

Ówàmbẹ Kitchen. Sells Igbo, Akwa Ibom and Yoruba delicacies. They also sell soups in large quantities.

Jovy’s kitchen. Specialises on freshly made foods (bowls & packs), on orders, indoors and outdoor services, parties, etc.

Kokoma Kitchen. Chilled alcoholic drinks, and beverages of all kinds and prepare various grills.

Julie's Launja. Local, continental and intercontinental cuisines.

D'Casa Restaurant and Exclusive Bar..

Country Style Chicken Owerri City Mall.

Delicious treat. Mouth-watering delicacies, continental like Chinese rice, fried rice, jollof rice, coconut rice, Greek rice, White rice, fried beans, jollof beans, ukwa and African dishes like afang soup, vegetable soup, oha soup or egusi soup.

Drink

Owerri has a number of spots where visitors and tourists can drink and sample a taste of the city’s amazing local dishes like nkobi and ugba. Such spots include:

Old English Bar and Grill. It is quiet, clean with prompt service, well trained and knowledgeable staff. A good menu with a varied selection of dishes. Rumoured to have great sea food rice. Good nightlife and cool music, they also have a wall gallery. Reservations are required. Masks and temperature checks are required as well. Surfaces are disinfected between each customer. Service options are Delivery, takeaway, and dine-in.

Madam B restaurant and bar. Beer, spirit, wine and meat.

Sleep

Vanessa Paris hotel. Swimming pool, bar, foods and drinks.

Rento hotel and suites. Swimming pool,bar and car park

Forever hotel and suites. Foods, drinks restaurant and car park

Toprate luxury hotels. Foods and drinks, etc.

De Glen Hotel and Suit. Swimming pool,bar, foods and drinks etc.

De Majestic Gardens. An accessible location offering free breakfast with a serene environment and friendly staff.

Riv Island Hotels Limited. A 2-star hotel.

Pinewood Hotel. Standard accommodation and restaurant offering local and continental dishes. A 3-star hotel with decent lodging, and they offer free parking and breakfast.

All seasons hotel. Car park, swimming pool,free Wi-Fi, foods and drinks.

Great Wood Hotel. Food, drinks, swimming pool car park etc

Protea Hotel by Marriot. A 3-star hotel, and part of an international brand. Clean rooms, a serene atmosphere, and well-trained staff. It has a fitness centre, accommodates free parking, a swimming pool is available and great dining. Free Wifi.

Famous Suites. A 3-star hotel that has decent lodging, and a cool ambience. It has a swimming pool and the environment is clean.

Imo Concorde Hotel. It is a 4-star hotel lodging and pretty decent. You are entitled to free WiFi and a good parking space. It is suitably located and accessible.

Jacobs Place Hotel. Fairly decent 3-star hotel with a swimming pool.

JJ Mas Hotel And Suites. Standard rooms are well kept with a serene ambience. Good swimming pool and trained polite staff. An organized and curated experience. The food is excellent and buffet services are included.

Green Palm Apartments. Free WiFi, an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking available on site. Each unit at the apartments has air-conditioning, a sitting area with satellite flat-screen TV, and a fully equipped kitchen. Continental breakfast included. A car rental service is also available at the accommodation.

Immaculate golden hotel. Swimming pool, bar, food and drinks etc.

VEVO hotel and suites. Restaurant, swimming pool and car park etc