Okigwe
{{Short description|LGA in Imo state, Nigeria}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=January 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Okigwe
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| settlement_type = LGA and town
| image_skyline = Okigwe Local Government Area, Imo State , Nigeria.jpg
| image_caption = Senator Hope Uzodimma's Hall, Okigwe Local Government Headquarters
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| pushpin_map = Nigeria
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nigeria
| coordinates = {{coord|5.483|N|7.55|E|display=inline,title}}
| module = {{Infobox mapframe|wikidata=yes|zoom=8|marker=village|coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Nigeria
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Imo State
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| leader_title = Local Government Chairman
| unit_pref = Imperial
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| population_as_of = 2006
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| timezone = WAT
| utc_offset = +1
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| blank_name_sec1 = National language
| blank_info_sec1 = Igbo
}}
Okigwe is the third largest city in Imo state in Nigeria after Owerri and Orlu. Okigwe is located in the Okigwe Local Government Area (LGA) of Nigeria.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} The city lies between the Port Harcourt-Enugu-Maiduguri rail line, being the nearest city to the biggest cattle market in Nigeria located in the Umu Nneochi Area of Abia state. Thus, the city has grown into a major cattle transit town for the South-East and South subregions of Nigeria.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} Okigwe has a population of 132,237 (2005 census). Most of the population is made up of immigrant workers from other states. Okigwe city was the primary host site of the old Imo State University (now Abia State University). Okigwe has various tourist and historical sites.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} Okigwe remains one of the breadbaskets of Nigeria with terrace cultivation practised on its hilly farmlands.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} St. Mary's Cathedral in Okigwe is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Okigwe.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} In 2016, the Imo state government recommissioned a new cattle market in the city in respect to the previous one that has been relocated to Abia.{{Cite web|date=2016-12-18|title=Cattle market re-opens 11-years after|url=https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/cattle-market-re-opens-11-years-after/|access-date=2021-09-11|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}
Autonomous communities and villages
Okigwe has six autonomous communities with different villages (in bracket) namely;{{Cite web|url=https://nigeriazipcodes.com/6213/list-of-towns-and-villages-in-okigwe-l-g-a/|title = List of Towns and Villages in Okigwe L.G.A|date = 10 March 2014}}
- Ezinachi (Ndiohia, Umudiaba, Amukwa, Amorie, Umuokparaoba, Amajarata, Obiohia, Umudo, Ndi Ngeleogwe, Umuebiri, Ubahu, Ajanumuna, Amachi, Umuike, Amachara, Umuoma, Umunuma, Umuoho, Uhugbuala/Ndizorie, Ovoro/Umuagu),
- Ikigwu (Aro-ubaha, Aro-Okigwe, Ope, Ubanaka, Umuka, Umuokpara),
- Otanzu (Amaeze-Ogii, Umuawa-Ogee, Umualumoke, Amuro (Amuro, Aro-Amuro),
- Umulolo (Agbobu, Agbuala, Aku/Ihette, Aku/Ikenga, Amaosu, Amasator, Aro-Agbobu, Aro-Umulolo West, Aro-Umulolo East, Ibinta, Ndi-Oji, Ndi-Okoroji, Okanachi, Umuawa-Ibu)
- Ihube (Agbala, Akpugo, Amagu, Amalator, Amano, Nkoto, Ogube, Ozara)
- Otan-Chara (Alaike-Ogwaku, Alaocha-Igwaku, Ihitte-Isiokwe, Ikenga, Ikenga-Isiokwe, umuinem, umuzegem, Umueze, Umukeoke).
Agriculture and soil
The soil is predominantly partly red clay and black or dark brown. The major crops grown in the district on its hilly farmlands are palm trees (palm oil and palm wine), cassava, and vegetables.{{Cite web|title=(PDF) Physicochemical Parameter of Palm Oil and Soil from Ihube Community, Okigwe, Imo State Nigeria|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322055043_Physicochemical_Parameter_of_Palm_Oil_and_Soil_from_Ihube_Community_Okigwe_Imo_State_Nigeria|access-date=2021-09-11|website=ResearchGate|language=en}}
Climate
Rarely falling below 58°F or rising beyond 90°F, the weather is consistently warm throughout the year. The wet season is partially gloomy and humid.{{Cite web |title=Okigwe Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark |url=https://weatherspark.com/y/55000/Average-Weather-in-Okigwe-Nigeria-Year-Round#:~:text=Okigwe%20experiences%20extreme%20seasonal%20variation,average%20rainfall%20of%2010.3%20inches. |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=weatherspark.com |language=en}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}{{LGAs and communities of Imo State}}{{Populated places of Imo State}}
{{wikivoyage}}
Category:Local Government Areas in Imo State
Category:Local Government Areas in Igboland
{{Imo-geo-stub}}