OUR ANTHEM
With all our hearts, we pray and ask, God bless Anambra, God bless the shining light that we bear.
We are the only ones to make her brighter, the only ones to make her better, the only ones to make Anambra shine, with our sweat and blood every breath of our lives, with trust in God, we would lift our homeland high, we believe in togetherness; we’ll build a land of progress.
Lift the spirit of Anambra!
Lift the spirit of Anambra!
Lift the spirit of Anambra State we love.
GIANT STRIDES
Anambra is a state of rich history; great myths; giant strides; creative, hardworking and innovative people.
The diverse perspectives to the origin of Anambra and Ndi Anambra are as mythical as the great people.
Ndi Anambra are among the first set of God’s creation on Earth, who migrated from the cradle of human civilization to their present location.
The History of Ndi Anambra is strongly linked to the history of the entire Igboland, as Ndi Anambra are perceived as the source of Igbo Civilization.
Ndi Anambra existence dates as far back as 4500BC as confirmed by archaeological findings unearthed in various locations in the state, including Igbo Ukwu, Aguleri, Awka, Ezira and Nri.
27-08-1991
The area today, known as Anambra State was created on August 27, 1991, along with eight other states of Nigeria by the then Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR. The state derives its name from Anambra River, which is a colonial convenient pronunciation of Omambala River. The River Anambra is a tributary of the majestic River Niger.
Anambra State at a Glance
The natural features of Hills, Lakes, Caves, Forests, and table Savannah landform the beautiful landscapes of Anambra State.
Situated on a rolling flat savannah land, dotted by Hills, Lakes, Forests, and caves on the eastern plains of the River Niger, Anambra State covers an area of 4,416sq kilometers with rainforest vegetation, humid climate, a temperature of about 87°F, and rainfall of between 152cm and 203cm. Anambra State shares boundaries with Abia, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Kogi States making it one of the few states in the country with many neighbors.
With an estimated population of about 5,084,195 (2015 Census estimate), Anambra is the tenth most populous state in Nigeria.
Agriculture is important in the state: oil palm, corn, rice, yam, and cassava are its main cash crops. Fishing in inland waterways is a significant commercial activity.
The principal minerals found in the state are gypsum, kaolin, bauxite, iron ore, and lead. Anambra state also has natural gas and crude oil. Major industries include breweries, textiles, tourism, and soft drinks bottling. Locally produced sculptures of wood and metal are also of commercial importance.
The economic climate is highly favourable with a combination of large markets, abundant skilled labour force, entrepreneurial ability and easy access to capital and natural resources. The state has a business environment that is conducive and a number of investment incentives.
The state capital territory, Awka, famous for its legendary blacksmithing, spans six Local Government Areas of Aniocha, Awka South, Awka North, Dunukofia, Njikoka and Orumba North. The Capital Territory covers a land area of 400sq kilometers.
The city of Onitsha has strong trade links with many parts of gthe country and the world. Its market is the largest in West Africa. Nnewi, the second most economically vibrant centre after Onitsha, has virtually become the automobile spare parts market of the nation and a fast-growing industrial centre.
The Igbo language is the mother tongue, but English is widely spoken due to the early influence of Missionary Schools & The Royal Niger Company Traders.
A vast majority speak pidgin, a mix of native Igbo dialect and the confluencing English Language, which was probably for ease of trade with visiting Europeans. However, a small group of Igala-speaking people exists in Anambra West Local Government Area. Ndi Anambra live and work in virtually every part of the country and easily learn the languages of their places of sojourn. They also integrate easily with the host communities where they find themselves. As a fallout of their friendliness and large-hearted nature, Ndi Anambra have very high regard for and are openly generous to strangers.
Indeed, the people are willing to go to great lengths to shower their well-known traditional hospitality on the visitors and strangers. Ndi Anambra are a people of uncommon species, shaped by history and environment to be tough, hardworking, creative, innovative and adventurous.
The people of Anambra State are perhaps its most outstanding assets and the reason why the State is regarded as ‘The Light of the Nation, Nigeria’. The story of Ndi Anambra is that of outstanding achievements in Politics, Education, Commerce, Industry, Entertainment, Sports and indeed every sphere of human endeavours.
The history of Africa and indeed the entire black race can never be told without the mention of outstanding sons and daughters of Anambra like: The great “Zik of Africa’, Rt. Hon Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who played a key role in the emancipation of Africa and who is one of the founders of Modern Nigeria; Sir Louis Phillipe Odumegwu-Ojukwu , one of Africa’s earliest billionaires; Chief Mrs Margaret Ekpo (Margaret Obiasulor), Nigeria’s pioneer female politician, activist and leader; Professor Chinua Achebe, novelist, poet, professor and critic, whose first novel, “Things Fall Apart”, is considered the most widely read book in modern African Literature.
The never-ending list includes the First African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; fiery pre and post-independence politicians like Chief Mbazulike Amaechi and Chief Mokwugo Okoye; and the First Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, to mention but a few. Indeed, there is at least one ‘Onye Anambra’ in the top ten bracket of any area of human endeavor.