SPEECH PRESENTED BY MR. GREG CHIJIOKE ANYAEGBUDIKE, CHAIRMAN OF OJI RIVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISITATION OF THE US CONSULATE LAGOS TO OJI RIVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.
Your Excellency, distinguished guests and members of the US Mission, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our esteemed visitors. Your presence today in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State marks a significant milestone in our collaborative journey, fostering stronger ties between our Local Government Council and US Consulate.
We value this rare opportunity extended to us by the US Consulate, which will be instrumental in driving growth, innovation, cooperation and progress in our communities.
Your Excellency, distinguished guests, it might interest you to know that Oji River is the third Urban area designate in Enugu State, after Enugu City and Nsukka. Oji River was home to first ever power station in the South East Nigeria.
Created in 1976 with 403km2 land mass, River Oji snaked through the Local Government Area and finally submerged into the Ezu River, a tributary of the greater River Niger. Bounded by Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State in the North; Orumba in Anambra State in the South; Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Isuochi LGA in Abia State in the East; and Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Awka in Anambra State in the west. It is correct to say that Oji River is strategically located at the center of the South East Zone of Nigeria. Oji River is well-connected by roads to the northern part of Nigeria, the western and other southern parts of Nigeria through major interconnecting highways, sitting right on the Trans African Highway to the Cameroons. This positions Oji River as a prime location for logistics hub.
Undulating topography and interlocking rivers run across the length and breadth and the associated hills, valleys, water fronts, caves, etc. giving rise to aqua cultural activities and gave birth to the choice of Adu/Akwu/Ehuhe/Oji-Urban River Basin for the establishment of the proposed Green City Agricultural Project of Enugu State government. Flat in some areas, facilitating communication and movement. Queen Elizabeth II of England was here in 1956 to commission the wonderful Steam Engine Industrial Revolution where coal from Onyeama mines were burnt in Oji River to produce electricity for the then Eastern region of Nigeria. Oji River is a place of historical significance.
Economy
Suitable vegetation for agriculture – swampy mangroves along the coastal line and arid savannah on the plain areas. Arable land most favourable for both cash and food crops. Rich and veritable Eco Tourism potentials with over 25 identified potential tourism sites. A semi-Urban Local Government with markets – Nkwo Inyi, Eke Egbo Achi, Orie Awlaw, Afor and Orie Akpugoeze, Afor Ugwuoba, Oji Urban Market, Eke Ajala Achi and Ugwuoba Cattle Market.
Administration
Oji River has four (4) Development Centers, headed by administrators while Oji River Local Government Area is headed by an elected Chairman and has twenty-nine (29) Autonomous Communities.
Demography
Predominantly Igbos with population of about 205,933 in 2024, using 3.0% annual population growth projections from 2006 population census. 52.1% females and 47.9% males. 60% of the population is between 15 to 64 years and about 10% from the elderly population that is above 65 years. Maternal and child population is about 33%.
Oji River Potential
- Agriculture: Mass arable land ready for exploitation – Cassava, Pineapple, Tomato, Goat, palm products, yam, opportunities for fishing given the many rivers etc.
- Water Supply: Oji Wonderful water. Potable water being one of the catalysts for industrialization and economic growth is in abundant supply. Oji River has the best aquifer;a veritablewater resource embedded in its belle that are artisanal and run on their own. The waters are clean and of potable quality and often called WONDERFUL.
- Tourism Potentials: Great tourism potentials of varying magnitude. Over 25 Tourism sites.
- Steady Power Supply: Steady power supply stimulates economic activities and other social services. Oji Thermal station is connected to National Grid and companies can step down for Steady Power Supply.
- Arts and Crafts: This is naturally with the people and had been their economic mainstay for ages. Using the clay soil to mould earth pots, basket making, sculptures and designs, black smiting and other crafts.
- Presence of Federal and State Establishments – Nigeria Police College, Federal Cooperative College, Correctional Centre, Tannery, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Training School, Enugu State College of Health Technology, etc.
- Oji River Gas exploded in 1955 and capped then. Now Gas is the new fly and has to be harnessed. No gas pipeline or gas exploration in Enugu State. Oji River has the potential to supply Gas to the Industrial areas in Enugu (proximity of Oji River’s location to other parts of the South East Nigeria).
Your Excellency, we look forward to exploring potential areas of cooperation and partnership, leveraging our unique strengths to drive economic growth and development. Oji River is known as the Energy Corridor of Enugu State. We have the content, we have the capacity, we have the capability. In Oji River, the biggest resource is human resources. In our local parlance we say, “Oji River mmadu no ya” – literally meaning that “Oji River is rich in human capital”. It is our hope that this engagement will facilitate meaningful interactions and potential partnerships between Oji River and US Consulate.
We appreciate your coming to Oji River and look forward to a productive and enriching outcome.
IT IS ALL ABOUT OJI RIVER
Mr. Greg Chijioke Anyaegbudike,
Chairman,
Oji River Local Government Council
