Owerri

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. thumb|A roundabout in Owerri

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.

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.

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

thumb|Hero's Square contains several statues of prominent Nigerian political leaders.

Freedom Square Chief Uwunna Recreational Park

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.

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.

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:

Stay safe

Visitors moving around in Owerri should endeavour to sanitize their hands and wear nose masks to avoid being infected with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The region has also reportedly been under siege by the army and constant attacks by "unknown gunmen". It is advisable to be careful and not to stay out late.

Go next

From Owerri you can go to some other cities and states in Nigeria like:

Okigwe Orlu Enugu Anambra Abia Rivers