thumb|First Niger Bridge

Asaba (Igbo: Ahaba) is the capital of Delta State, Nigeria. A rapidly growing urban area, it is located on the western bank of the Niger River and serves as the seat of the Oshimili South Local Government Area and Delta State Capital Territory. Asaba had a population of 149,603 as at the 2006 census,

History

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.

The existing quarters are:

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

The city of Asaba was once the colonial capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate. It was founded in 1884. 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. The clamor for creation of Anioma state has been going on for decades.

Etymology

Asaba is from the exclamation Ahabam, meaning "I have chosen well", a quote from Nnebisi, the founding father of Asaba.

| source 2 = Weatherbase (dew point-day light-possible sun)

| 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. 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.

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.

Wind

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 9.3 kilometers per hour or 5.8 miles per hour. The windiest month of the year in Asaba is August, with an average hourly wind speed of 11.74 kilometers per hour or 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 6.9 kilometers per hour or 4.2 miles per hour. are the native population of Asaba with majority speaking an Enuani dialect of the Igbo language. 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. 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. 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 and the A232 to Benin city .

Markets

There are a few major markets in Asaba: Ogbe-Ogonogo Market, Cable Point Market, Infant Jesus Market, Iyanga Market, Midwifery Market and Wazobia Commodity Market

Sport

thumb|Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba

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. The stadium is the home of Delta Force FC.

Transport

Air

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.

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

Road

thumb|Nnebisi Road, Asaba

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 of the completed Second Niger Bridge with a link expressway from the riverbank to an intersection on the A232 at Okpanam still undergoing construction. The bridge serves to reduce traffic congestion along the First Niger Bridge and the A232.

Water

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.

Notable people

  • Phillip Asiodu
  • Epiphany Azinge
  • Maryam Babangida
  • Frank Nwachukwu Ndili
  • Beverly Naya
  • Uche Natori
  • Ike Nwamu
  • Emma Nyra
  • Chief Dennis Osadebay
  • SHiiKANE

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

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

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

</gallery>

See also

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

References

  • Asaba.com
  • Asaba.net
  • Asaba Association Non-profit Group
  • Asaba Development Association in the United Kingdom
  • Asaba Portal
  • Asaba History and Culture Collaboration Research Platform