Asaba

Originally, Asaba consisted of nine quarters but due to internal strife, wars with other communities and slave trade that followed, these quarters were reduced to only 5.Esogbue, Emeka [https://www.ibusa.net/asaba-delta%20state.htm Welcome to Asaba, the Beautiful Capital of Delta State] Ibusa.net

The existing quarters are:

1. Umueze
2. Ugbomanta
3. Umuaji
4. Umuagu
5. Umuonaje

The city of Asaba was once the colonial capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Asaba |encyclopedia=www.britannica.com |url=http://www.britannica.com/place/Asaba |access-date=April 24, 2016}} It was founded in 1884.Letters from Nigeria, D.W. Carnegie, BiblioBazaar, LLC, {{ISBN|978-1-103-27100-9}} Between 1886 and 1900, it hosted the Royal Niger Company, which the British authorities set up to stimulate trade and the exportation of goods to England.

Owing to Asaba's influential history and geography, and current strategic political and economic influence in Nigeria, Asaba is generally known as the regional capital of the Anioma area and its peoples.{{cite web |title=Anioma: Nigeria 37th State in the Making |url=http://umuanioma.com/index.php/anioma/anioma-nigeria-s-37th-state-in-the-making |access-date=April 22, 2016 |work=umuanioma.com}} The clamor for creation of Anioma state has been going on for decades. Today, the Asaba area is an ancestral homeland for Igbo peoples.{{Cite journal |last=Isichei |first=Elizabeth |date=2009-01-22 |title= Historical Change in an Ibo Polity: Asaba to 1885 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/abs/historical-change-in-an-ibo-polity-asaba-to-1885/820F15840318B20324EFB9C896EC233C |access-date=2024-09-29 |journal=The Journal of African History |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=421–438 |doi=10.1017/S0021853700036367 |language=en-GB|url-access=subscription }}

Asaba is from the exclamation Ahabam, meaning "I have chosen well", a quote from the Nnebisi, the founding father of Asaba.{{cite news|url=http://leadership.ng/business/551667/great-goddess-and-shrine-of-asaba-people |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924163026/http://leadership.ng/business/551667/great-goddess-and-shrine-of-asaba-people |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2016 |title=Great Goddess And Shrine Of Asaba People |date=23 September 2016 |work=Leadership |access-date=4 February 2017 }}

Asaba is situated on a terrace of the lower Niger River in the historic midwest of the country; overlooking the point of confluence with Anambra River. Beyond the river banks, on the high plains which are far more extensive than the river basins, secondary forest vegetation flourishes. It is sited at the western bank of a key historic point on the river to the extent of cargo navigability, lying northwest to the city of Onitsha across. Although the current city lies just north of a marshy floodplain, expansive swaths of undulating, hilly terrain rises west and east of the main city with heights of up to 200m above sea level. The historic Niger River is a historic trans-African link beginning in Fouta Djallon range of Guinea and flows down into the Atlantic Ocean. Asaba forms a connector between western, eastern and northern Nigeria through the Niger River from the north and via the Asaba Niger Bridge, an east–west link and a Nigerian landmark.

Asaba lies approximately 6 degrees north of the equator and about the same distance east of the meridian; about {{convert|100|mi|km|order=flip}} north of where the River Niger flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The greater Asaba metro occupies an area of about 300 square kilometers. while the area is noticeably drier than the southern areas, the city and the communities of Oshimili South in inclusion maintain an average tropical temperature of 32 °C during the dry season and an average fertile rainfall of {{convert|106|in|mm|order=flip}} during the rainy season.

Greater Asaba incorporates some of the other neighboring towns and communities such as Igbuzor, Okpanam, Anwai, Iyiba, Oko, Okwe and Ugbolu on the western section of the Niger River. Notable flora of the city the surrounding regions would be the Sapele tree.

{{Weather box

| name = Asaba

| width = auto

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Asaba (1991-2020)

| Jan record high C = 39.0

| Feb record high C = 40.0

| Mar record high C = 40.1

| Apr record high C = 39.0

| May record high C = 37.6

| Jun record high C = 36.2

| Jul record high C = 36.6

| Aug record high C = 34.0

| Sep record high C = 35.0

| Oct record high C = 36.0

| Nov record high C = 37.5

| Dec record high C = 37.6

| Jan high C = 34.4

| Feb high C = 35.8

| Mar high C = 35.6

| Apr high C = 34.2

| May high C = 32.9

| Jun high C = 31.5

| Jul high C = 30.3

| Aug high C = 29.8

| Sep high C = 30.6

| Oct high C = 31.8

| Nov high C = 33.7

| Dec high C = 34.3

| Jan mean C = 28.2

| Feb mean C = 29.8

| Mar mean C = 30.1

| Apr mean C = 29.3

| May mean C = 28.4

| Jun mean C = 27.5

| Jul mean C = 26.8

| Aug mean C = 26.5

| Sep mean C = 26.9

| Oct mean C = 27.5

| Nov mean C = 28.7

| Dec mean C = 28.2

| Jan low C = 22.0

| Feb low C = 23.9

| Mar low C = 24.6

| Apr low C = 24.4

| May low C = 23.9

| Jun low C = 23.4

| Jul low C = 23.3

| Aug low C = 23.1

| Sep low C = 23.1

| Oct low C = 23.3

| Nov low C = 23.7

| Dec low C = 22.2

| Jan record low C = 11.4

| Feb record low C = 12.5

| Mar record low C = 16.0

| Apr record low C = 19.5

| May record low C = 19.0

| Jun record low C = 19.0

| Jul record low C = 19.0

| Aug record low C = 18.7

| Sep record low C = 19.0

| Oct record low C = 18.0

| Nov record low C = 11.8

| Dec record low C = 14.0

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 12.7

| Feb precipitation mm = 19.8

| Mar precipitation mm = 67.0

| Apr precipitation mm = 149.2

| May precipitation mm = 240.8

| Jun precipitation mm = 301.0

| Jul precipitation mm = 338.4

| Aug precipitation mm = 301.0

| Sep precipitation mm = 339.9

| Oct precipitation mm = 234.8

| Nov precipitation mm = 34.3

| Dec precipitation mm = 2.8

| year precipitation mm = 2041.8

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 0.7

| Feb precipitation days = 1.2

| Mar precipitation days = 3.6

| Apr precipitation days = 7.4

| May precipitation days = 11.4

| Jun precipitation days = 14.3

| Jul precipitation days = 16.2

| Aug precipitation days = 17.3

| Sep precipitation days = 16.6

| Oct precipitation days = 12.6

| Nov precipitation days = 2.2

| Dec precipitation days = 0.3

| Jan humidity = 65.8

| Feb humidity = 71.0

| Mar humidity = 79.6

| Apr humidity = 84.2

| May humidity = 86.4

| Jun humidity = 88.2

| Jul humidity = 88.7

| Aug humidity = 88.2

| Sep humidity = 89.0

| Oct humidity = 88.1

| Nov humidity = 80.9

| Dec humidity = 69.8

| Jan dew point C = 20.3

| Feb dew point C = 22.5

| Mar dew point C = 23.6

| Apr dew point C = 24.1

| May dew point C = 23.9

| Jun dew point C = 23.4

| Jul dew point C = 22.8

| Aug dew point C = 22.8

| Sep dew point C = 23.0

| Oct dew point C = 23.5

| Nov dew point C = 23.3

| Dec dew point C = 21.1

| Jan light = 12.2

| Feb light = 12.3

| Mar light = 12.4

| Apr light = 12.4

| May light = 12.8

| Jun light = 12.9

| Jul light = 12.8

| Aug light = 12.7

| Sep light = 12.5

| Oct light = 12.3

| Nov light = 12.1

| Dec light = 12.1

| year light =

| Jan percentsun = 47.4

| Feb percentsun = 47.7

| Mar percentsun = 43.5

| Apr percentsun = 45.8

| May percentsun = 44.5

| Jun percentsun = 36.8

| Jul percentsun = 27.2

| Aug percentsun = 25.8

| Sep percentsun = 29.4

| Oct percentsun = 41.4

| Nov percentsun = 54.5

| Dec percentsun = 54.4

| year percentsun =

| source 1 = NOAA{{cite web

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Nigeria/CSV/Asaba_65282.csv

| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020 |format=CSV | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 2 August 2023}}

| source 2 = Weatherbase (dew point-day light-posible sun){{Cite web |url=https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=603727&cityname=Asaba%2C+Delta%2C+Nigeria&units= |title=Asaba,Nigeria Travel Weather Averages |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Weatherbase}}

| Koppen Climate Type =

}}The mean annual temperature recorded in Asaba is 26.8 °C/ 80.2 °F. On average, 1331 mm/52.4 inch of precipitation falls annually in Asaba.{{Cite web |title=Asaba climate: Temperature Asaba & Weather By Month |url=https://en.climate-data.org/africa/nigeria/delta/asaba-46681/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=en.climate-data.org}} The Köppen climate classification for the city is Aw.

Climate change is causing a colder climate with a positive temperature trend, while horizontal trends indicate a decreasing trend.{{Cite web |title=Climate Change Asaba |url=https://www.meteoblue.com/en/climate-change/asaba_nigeria_2349276 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=meteoblue |language=en}}

Asaba experiences two distinct seasons: a warm, oppressive, and overcast wet season from March into late October and a hot, dry season from November into late February. The climate of the region is largely influenced by the prevailing movement and location of the southwesterly and northeasterly trade winds of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) respectively. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 67 °F to 89 °F and is rarely below 60 °F or above 92 °F. Based on the beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Asaba for hot-weather activities is from late November into late January.{{Cite web |title=Asaba Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark |url=https://weatherspark.com/y/52954/Average-Weather-in-Asaba-Nigeria-Year-Round |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=weatherspark.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Asaba climate: Temperature Asaba & Weather By Month |url=https://en.climate-data.org/africa/nigeria/delta/asaba-46681/#google_vignette |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=en.climate-data.org}}{{Cite web |last=Atlas |first=Weather |title=Yearly & Monthly weather - Asaba, Nigeria |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/nigeria/asaba-climate |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Weather Atlas |language=en}}

The average hourly wind speed in Asaba experiences significant seasonal variation over the course of the year.

The windier part of the year lasts for 3.9 months, from May 31 to September 27, with average wind speeds of more than 5.8 miles per hour. The windiest month of the year in Asaba is August, with an average hourly wind speed of 7.3 miles per hour. The calmer time of year lasts for 8.1 months, from September 27 to May 31. The calmest month of the year in Asaba is November, with an average hourly wind speed of 4.2 miles per hour.

In Asaba, the average percentage of the sky covered by clouds experiences significant seasonal variation over the course of the year. The clearer part of the year in Asaba begins around mid November and lasts for 3 months on average, ending around mid February. The clearest month of the year in Asaba is December, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 46% of the time. The cloudier part of the year begins around mid February as a result of the ITCZ system. and lasts for an average of 9 months, ending around mid November. The cloudiest month of the year in Asaba is May, during which on average the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 85% of the time. Due to the Harmattan, the dry season is accompanied with a lot of dust which impedes visibility mid December–February.

Asaba experiences extreme seasonal variation in the perceived humidity. The more humid period of the year lasts during the duration of the rainy season, from March to October. This a result of the ITCZ system pushing on humid south western trade winds. The month with the lowest humid days in Asaba is January.

File:Anchor statue at Landers Brothers Anchorage, Asaba, Delta state2.jpg

The Igbo speaking Anioma people{{Cite journal |last=Isichei |first=Elizabeth |date=2009-01-22 |title= Historical Change in an Ibo Polity: Asaba to 1885 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/abs/historical-change-in-an-ibo-polity-asaba-to-1885/820F15840318B20324EFB9C896EC233C |access-date=2024-09-29 |journal=The Journal of African History |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=421–438 |doi=10.1017/S0021853700036367 |language=en-GB|url-access=subscription }} are the native population of Asaba. However, the city also houses a number of immigrant ethnicities from other ethnic groups native to and surrounding Delta State.

Since becoming the administrative capital of Delta State, Asaba has grown in population to an estimated half a million people. Today, it maintains a cosmopolitan population representative of the diverse cultures in Delta State and across Nigeria.

A city with a storied past, Asaba culture is heavily influenced by the predominant Igbo culture.{{Cite journal |last=Isichei |first=Elizabeth |date=2009-01-22 |title=Historical Change in an Ibo Polity: Asaba to 1885 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/abs/historical-change-in-an-ibo-polity-asaba-to-1885/820F15840318B20324EFB9C896EC233C |journal=The Journal of African History |language=en-GB |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=421–438 |doi=10.1017/S0021853700036367 |access-date=2024-09-29|url-access=subscription }} Asaba is culturally led by the revered Asagba of Asaba, to whom the leaders (individually referred to as the “Diokpa”) of each of the five Igbo quarters report directly on matters affecting the community. The Asagba is assisted by the Iyasele of Asaba (Iyase) who is the customary Prime Minister as well as a council of chiefs and elders (Olinzele, Otu Ihaza, Oloto etc.)

Asaba is an administrative area and seat of government established during the time of the Royal Niger Company (now UACN), and is the administrative capital of Delta. Thus civil service leads the economy and economic activities of the city's inhabitants. The Nigerian government through the administration of Samuel Ogbemudia established the Asaba Textile Mills{{cite web|url=https://m.guardian.ng/opinion/samuel-osaigbovo-ogbemudia-1932-2017// |title=Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (1932=2017)|date=24 March 2017|access-date=February 18, 2018|publisher=Guardian (Nigeria)}} and a power substation at Asaba. The city of Asaba hosts some pharmaceutical companies that manufacture medicines and there is also a steel mill within the city. Tourism also attracts revenue into the city, which has resulted to a booming hospitality business. In 2023, the Film Village was opened officially in hopes of boosting the already growing Nollywood entertainment industry in the city. The city is linked by second Niger bridge to its sister city and largest trading partner Onitsha{{Cite web |url=https://www.julius-berger.com/references/second-river-niger-bridge-asaba-onitsha|title= Second Niger Bridge, Asaba Onitsha|access-date=2024-09-29}} and the A232 to Benin city .

There are three major markets in Asaba: Ogbe-Ogonogo Market, Cable Point Market, Infant Jesus Market, Iyanga Market and Wazobia Commodity Market{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

File: Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba 2.jpg

The Stephen Keshi Stadium at Asaba, which has undergone recent renovations, has hosted several international competitions and soccer events since it was upgraded by the administration of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and commissioned by Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo.{{cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/delta-obasanjo-commissions-stephen-keshi-stadium/ | title=Delta Obasanjo commissions stephen keshi stadium |date=November 19, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019|publisher=Vanguard (Nigeria)}} The stadium is the home of Delta Force FC.

The city of Asaba and neighboring cities are accessible by air through the Asaba International Airport located just outside of the main city on the A232.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-24|title=Delta Govt hands over Asaba Airport to concessionaire|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/08/delta-govt-hands-over-asaba-airport-to-concessionaire/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Delta State Government|url=https://www.deltastate.gov.ng/asaba-international-airport-re-opens/|access-date=2022-02-17|language=en-US}}

Asaba International Airport was commissioned in 2011 by Delta State Government.[https://hotels.ng/places/airport/538-asaba-international-airport]

File: Nnebisi road Asaba 2.jpg

The A232, more known as the Asaba-Benin Expressway is an important roadway which connects parts of eastern Nigeria with western Nigeria. The Ogwashi-Uku-Ughelli highway which has undergone extensive expansion also connects areas of Asaba with Ndokwa country, Ughelli and the southern reaches of the state, with the Asaba-Ebu road historically connecting the city with northern Nigeria. Construction has been undertaken south of Oko to build an expressway linking the city to the Second Niger Bridge which has already been completed. The bridge serves to reduce traffic congestion along the First Niger Bridge and the A232.

Asaba is served by water transportation available through the Niger River, which surrounds the easternmost stretches of the city. Until the commissioning of the First Niger bridge, the main transportation means across the Niger were ferry services were provided across to Onitsha via Cable point. The city is also planned to be serviced by the neighboring Onitsha port located south of the city.

{{div col}}

• Phillip Asiodu{{cite web |last1=Teniola |first1=Eric |title=Asiodu, the last titan after Ahmed Joda |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/09/asiodu-the-last-titan-after-ahmed-joda/ |accessdate=27 May 2022 |work=Vanguard News |date=9 September 2021}}
• Epiphany Azinge{{Cite web|date=2018-11-13|title=Epiphany Azinge (SAN): A worthy fellow|url=https://guardian.ng/features/epiphany-azinge-san-a-worthy-fellow/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}
• Maryam Babangida
• Joseph Chike Edozien
• Lynxxx{{Cite web|last=BellaNaija.com|date=2015-03-02|title=Lynxxx: Everybody We Went to Seeking a Record Deal Rejected Us and Then We Decided to Start Our Own|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/03/lynxxx-everybody-we-went-to-seeking-a-record-deal-rejected-us-and-then-we-decided-to-start-our-own/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=BellaNaija|language=en-US}}
• Frank Nwachukwu Ndili{{Cite web|last=Udo|first=Mary|date=2017-03-13|title=NDILI, Frank Nwachukwu|url=https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/ndili-frank-nwachukwu/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation|language=en-US}}
• Ike Nwamu{{Cite web|last=Udo|first=Mary|date=2017-03-20|title=NWAOMU, Dr. Patrick Ike|url=https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/nwaomu-dr-patrick-ike/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation|language=en-US}}
• Emma Nyra{{Cite web|date=2019-04-24|title=Checkout Details Of Emma Nyra's Career, Personal Life And Scandals|url=https://www.withinnigeria.com/2019/04/24/checkout-details-of-emma-nyras-career-personal-life-and-scandals/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Within Nigeria|language=en-US}}
• Chief Dennis Osadebay{{cite web|url=http://asaba.com/asaba-a-long-history-and-tradition/ |title=Asaba. A long history and Tradition|date=23 August 2009|access-date=October 11, 2016|publisher=Asaba Online}}
• SHiiKANE{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Todd|date=2017-02-03|title=[INTERVIEW] Afro Pop Sister Trio, SHiiKANE Epitomize Black Girl Magic|url=https://parlemag.com/2017/02/afro-pop-shiikane-interview/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Parle Magazine — The Online Voice of Urban Entertainment|language=en-US}}

{{div col end}}

File:Asaba market, Asaba, Delta state3.jpg|Ogbe-Ogonogo Market

File:Asaba roundabout, Asaba, Delta state.jpg|Asaba roundabout

File:Asaba market, Asaba, Delta state6.jpg|Asaba market

• Abraka
• Asaba-Asa
• Asaba massacre
• Ekumeku Movement

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.asaba.com Asaba.com]
• [http://www.asaba.net Asaba.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131013654/http://www.asaba.net/ |date=31 January 2020 }}
• [http://www.asaba.org Asaba Association Non-profit Group]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120109082150/http://adauk.net/ Asaba Development Association in the United Kingdom]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140109004145/http://aniahaba.info/ Asaba Portal]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141111031436/http://aniahaba.info/asabawiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome Asaba History and Culture Collaboration Research Platform]

{{Benin topics}}

{{Cities in Nigeria}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:State capitals in Nigeria

Category:Cities in Delta State

Category:1884 establishments in the British Empire