10 Places to go and Things to do in Umuahia
Umuahia is the capital city of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to Umuahia's south and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia is well known as being an agricultural market center. It is also a railway collection point for crops such as yams, cassava, corn (maize), taro, citrus fruits, and palm oil and kernels. Umuahia has a rich post colonial history embedded in the civil war. It was once declared the second capital of the short-lived nation of the Republic of Biafra on 28 September 1967 after the first capital, Enugu was captured by Nigerian troops. On June 28, 1968 Umuahia was captured by Nigerian troops during Operation OAU but was re-captured by Biafran troops on July 23 that same year. On April 22, 1969 Umuahia was occupied and nearly taken by Nigerian troops but they were forced to retreat due to a stiff offensive by Biafran Maj. E.A. Eutuk. It was finally captured on the 24th of December 1969. Umuahia might appear to be boring to an outsider but with a bit of luck and insider information it promises to be a hugely rewarding experience for any visitor.
1.National War Museum
The National War Museum has the highest collection of the Nigerian civil war weapons that are no longer in used. The weapons are from both the Nigerian military and the defunct Republic of Biafra. It is a very popular place in Umuahia so it will be easy to find. The museum was commissioned in 1985 on a large expanse of land. It has three galleries that cover traditional warfare, the armed forces and the Nigerian Civil War weapon galleries. War relics housed in the museum include weapons used during the pre-colonial civil disturbances, warfare materials used during communal and inter-tribal wars and those of the Nigerian Civil War. The museum’s location was chosen because it was where the bunker housing the famous shortwave radio “the Voice of Biafraâ€was transmitted from. Voice of Biafra was the mouth-piece for Biafra during the war. One of the best museums in the country.
2.Ojukwu's Bunker.
Ojukwu Bunker is part of the National War Museum and its annex at Okpara Avenue, Umuahia, Abia State. The bunker, constructed during the civil war after the fall of Enugu, was the subterranean office for the Biafran government. The premises belonged to Late Dr. Michael I. Okpara, the second Premier of Eastern Nigeria from December 17, 1959 to January 15, 1966. The bunker measures 26.9 feet deep, about 8 meters. It was done under 90 days, between April to June 1968. All the people involved in the construction of the bunker were less than 40 years old. A marvel of architecture and engineering.
3.Abia Tower
A grand work of architecture in the heart of the city of Umuahia. Abia Tower is graced with a pleasant arrangement of flowers. Always a perfect site for your picture perfect moments.
4.The Gate of Umuahia
So you must be wondering, what's so fantastic about a gate that anyone would want to see it. Perhaps it's the craftsmanship involved in its construction. Or maybe it's the legend behind it? Nope. The gate of Umuahia is actually not a gate. It's just what they call the grand market located at the center of the city. Along with being a market, it's also a stop for various commuters travelling to and fro various places in the southeast. A great place to have an experience of the Umuahia.
5.Drive through The City.
With its superb road network and low population density, there's rarely ever a traffic jam or delay. A great city to go for a cruise.
6.D'Place
One of the best restaurants in the city , it's a great place to have anything from a local delicacy like Nkwobi to various continental dishes. It also serves as a art gallery, so you can feast your eyes on indigenous artworks while you await your sumptuous meal.
7.Kwa Ibo River
The Kwa Ibo River (also Quaibo River ) is a river that rises near Umuahia in Abia State, Nigeria, the river feeds a zone of mangrove swamps linked by creeks and lagoons that is separated from the sea by a low and narrow ridge of sand. Ibeno, on the eastern side of the Kwa Ibo River about 3 kilometres from the river mouth, is one of the largest fishing settlements on the Nigerian coast.
8. Visit the Akwete Weavers.
Just a few kilometres from Umuahia we have the town of Akwete. Akwete cloth is a unique hand woven textile produced in the town of Akwete. The traditional Igbo weaving as demonstrated in Akwete processes sisal-hemp, raffia and spun cotton into finished products. While the coarse raffia materials are used by masquerades and in the past as head gear for warriors among other uses, the hemp material was used to weave towels, ropes and handbags. The more comfortable and colorful spun cotton is used to weave cloth for everyday wearing. The weaving of the cloth is usually done by the women, and the ability to weave is seen as a gift. As soon as the girls of the town are old enough to handle a loom, they're taught the art of weaving. Many other towns in the east produce a similar product but none comes close to that of Akwete.
9.Ekpe Festival
In the month of January, the resident spirits and masquerades of Umuahia come out to play. The masquerade festivals are always a sight to see. Watch out for the war dance of the masquerades.
10.New Yam Festival
A very important event in any igbo community. The New Yam Festival is especially enjoyable in Umuahia because it's a large producer of oil palm. The festival takes place at the end of the rainy season. Usually in early August.