Obio-Akpor

Obio-Akpor is a local government area ^[1] in the metropolis of Port Harcourt, one of the major centres of economic activities in Nigeria, and one of the major cities of the Niger Delta, located in Rivers State. The local government area covers 260 km² and at the 2006 Census held a population of 878,890. Its postal code or ZIP code is 500102. Obio-Akpor has its headquarters at Rumuodomaya. The original indigenous occupants of the area are the Ikwerre people.

Geography

Obio-Akpor is bounded by Port Harcourt (local government area) to the south, Oyigbo to the east, Ikwerre to the north, and Emohua to the west. It is located between latitudes 4°45'N and 4°60'N and longitudes 6°50'E and 8°00'E.

Climate

It lies in the tropical wet climate zone, characterized by abundant rainfall with little dry season. The monsoon season occurs between April and October, bringing heavy rainfall ranging from 2000 to 2500 mm with temperatures up to 25 °C and a relatively constant humidity.^[2]

Geology and relief

Covering around 100 sq mi, Obio-Akpor is generally a lowland area with average elevation below 30 metres above sea level. Its geology comprises basically of alluvial sedimentary basin and basement complex. The thick mangrove forest, raffia palms and light rainforest are the major types of vegetation. Due to high rainfall, the soil in the area is usually sandy or sandy loam. It is always leached, underlain by a layer of impervious pan.^[2]

Localities, towns and suburbs

The following localities, townships and suburbs, are within Obio-Akpor:

Government

Obio-Akpor is one of the 8 local government areas that formed the Rivers East senatorial district. It consists of 17 electoral wards administered by the Obio-Akpor Local Government Council. The council comprises the chairman who is the chief executive of the local government area, and other elected members who are referred to as councillors. The chairman is normally elected, but can, under special circumstances, also be appointed. He or she has the duty to supervise the activities of the local government, and preside over all meetings of the council.

Wards

Chairmen

To date, only 7 individuals have served as chairman of Obio-Akpor local government council. The list below does not include persons who have served as either a caretaker committee chairman or an administrator. For that information, see list of chairmen and caretaker committee chairmen of Obio-Akpor.

List of chairmen:

Education

Colleges and universities

Obio-Akpor contains the following colleges and universities within its boundaries:

• Catholic Institute of West Africa
• Eastern Polytechnic, Rumuokwurusi
• Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni
• Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Rumuola
• Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Rumueme
• University of Port Harcourt, Choba

Primary and secondary schools

The region is home to several public and private schools for both elementary and secondary education. Below is a listing of schools operating in the local government area including those managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt:

• Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls' School, Elelenwo
• Ash Merlyn International School, Elelenwo
• CITA International School, Rumuogba
• De World International Secondary School
• Emilio Piazza Memorial School, Rumuigbo
• Government Secondary School, Eneka
• Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School
• La Pierre Angulaire High School
• Liora Schools, Elelenwo
• Loretto School of Childhood, Rumuigbo
• Marygold International School, Elelenwo
• Niger Delta Science School
• Shalom International School
• St Maria Goretti's School
• St. Benedict Immaculate Canadian Academy
• The Donbridge School, Rumukwuta
• Topline Schools, Elelenwo
• Trans Amadi International School

Media

Obio-Akpor is undoubtedly, one of the major hubs for media in Rivers State. Elelenwo is the location of Radio Rivers 99.1, the first government-owned FM radio station in the state, and the second FM radio station to launch in Nigeria. Also headquartered in the neighbourhood is Rivers State Television whose signal is received in parts of nine states.

In October 2003, DAAR Communications Plc launched its radio and television stations which are transmitted from Choba.^[3]

In 2008, Pidgin English radio station Wazobia FM 94.1 began broadcasting from its studios in Rumuosi.^[4]

Notable people

• Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State.
• Duncan Mighty (born 1983), Musician.
• Chief Edward Woherem,(JP) 1928 - 2013, Real Estate Development.
• Dr. Evans Woherem (Born 1958), Former First Bank Executive Director, CEO Compumetrics Nigeria Limited. I.T Consultant.
• OCJ Okocha, SAN, MFR, JP
• Obi Wali, PhD, former distinguished senator, writer, activist
• Frank Eke, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Eze Gbakagbaka of Ikwerre II
• John Azuta-Mbata, politician
• Monalisa Chinda, actress
• Tonto Dike, actress
• Daisy W. Okocha, former Chief Judge of Rivers State
• Okey Wali, SAN, former president of the Nigeria Bar Association

References

1. ↑ http://www.afdevinfo.com/htmlreports/lor/lor_ni_10_15.html
2. 1 2 "GIS Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Obio-Akpor LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria" (PDF). Maxwellsci.com. Retrieved 16 August 2016. 
3. ↑ Okoh Aihe (28 October 2003). "Excitement Greets AIT's Launch in Port Harcourt". Vanguard. Retrieved 17 August 2016 – via AllAfrica. 
4. ↑ "Wazobia FM Port Harcourt". sat-address.com. Retrieved 16 August 2016. 

External links