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| Imo State State nickname: Eastern Heartland |
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| Location | ||
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| Statistics | ||
| Governor (List) |
Ikedi Godson Ohakim (PPA) | |
| Date Created | February 3, 1976 | |
| Capital | Owerri | |
| Area | 5,530 km² Ranked 34th |
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| Population 1991 Census 2005 est. |
Ranked 13th 2,485,499 4,000,000[1] |
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| GDP (PPP) -Total -Per Capita |
2007 (estimate) $14.21 billion[2] $3,527[2] |
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| ISO 3166-2 | NG-IM | |
Imo State is a state in Nigeria. It is located in the southeast region of the country, with Owerri as it capital and largest city. Ikedi Godson Ohakim is the current governor.
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History
Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been previously part of East-Central State. The state is named after the Imo River.[3] Part of it was split off in 1991 as Abia State, and another part became Ebonyi State. The main cities in Imo Stae are Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe.The famous Orashi River starts from its source in this state . Local language is Igbo while Catholicism is prominent.
Geography and natural resources
Besides Owerri, Imo State's major towns are Isu, Okigwe, Oguta, Orlu, Mbaise, Emekuku (Emekē Ukwu), Mbieri, Orodo, Orsu, Amaigbo, Mbano. The state is rich in crude oil, natural gas and fertile, arable agricultural land.
Local Government Areas
Imo State is made up of twenty-seven Local Government Areas:
Demographics
Imo is a predominantly Igbo speaking state, with Igbo people constituting a majority of 96%
Notable People
Notable people from Imo State include:
- Adiele Afigbo - Igbo Historian
- Leo Stan Ekeh - Founder and CEO of Zinox Technologies
- Michael Echeruo - Academic - Igbo Studies
- Dr. Mrs. Kema Chikwe - Former Minister of Aviation
- Obianuju Catherine Acholonu - Critically Acclaimed Author
- K. O. Mbadiwe - Former Minister of Commerce and Industry
- Evan Enwerem - Former governor and former President of the Senate
- Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu - Politician and Businessman
- Pats Acholonu - Supreme Court Justice
- Sam Mbakwe - Former Governor
- Simeon Ekpe - Former Chief Judge
- Sylvester Ugoh - Former Minister of Science and Technology
- Christina Anyanwu - Journalist and Senator
- Genevieve Nnaji - Nollywood Actress
- Collins E. Ijoma - The first youngest U.S. Trial Court Administrator.
- Ezebuiro Obinna - Highlife Musician
- Chioma Ajunwa - 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist
References
External links
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