74-659: Ogwu Ekpeye is a festival traditionally celebrated by Ekpeye tribe in Rivers State . It is celebrated yearly and in the honour of the first daughters. Before the commencement of this festival, the monarch, called Eze Igbu Ubie of Ubie kingdom in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Eze Maxwell A. Okpokiri, declares it open, after which there are traditional activities such as visitations, folklores, rites, and others. New Yam Festivals in Nigeria Yam
148-495: A distinctive naming convention of "Area" to refer to parts of Garki. These are designated as Areas 1 to 11. Garki II is used to differentiate the area from Garki Area 2. Visitors may find this system confusing. Garki is presently the principal business and administrative district of Abuja. Numerous buildings of interest are in this area. Some of them include the General Post Office, Abuja International Conference Centre along
222-461: A high net worth of individuals especially legislators as allottees, which makes it a destination for real estate investors who desire to secure the future today. It is not very clear what the government plans for the district as not much has been said by government agents, but cadastral zoning A indicates the government has good plans for Maitama 2 to correct some errors in Maitama District. It
296-581: A study conducted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Atmospheric Science Group of Imo State University . Between 1993 and 2013, the average maximum temperature trended downward, but the average minimum and mean temperatures trended upwards. There was a downward trend for rainfall in Abuja, based on data collected between 1986 and 2016. The drought occurrence probability for Abuja increased by 15.4% between 1975 and 2014. The FCT falls within
370-591: Is a staple food in West Africa and other regions classified as a tuber crop and it is an annual or perennial crop. The New Yam festival is celebrated by almost every ethnic group in Nigeria and is observed annually at the end of June. To fully understand the New Yam Festival we must first understand the reason why the festival is celebrated in almost every state, town and city in Nigeria. Historically, Yam
444-719: Is 360 metres (1,180 ft). Abuja under Köppen climate classification features a tropical wet and dry climate ( Köppen : Aw ). The FCT experiences three weather conditions annually. This includes a warm, humid rainy season and a blistering dry season . In between the two, there is a brief interlude of harmattan occasioned by the northeast trade wind, with the main feature of dust haze and cloudless skies. The rainy season begins from April and ends in October, when daytime temperatures reach 28 °C (82.4 °F) to 30 °C (86.0 °F) and nighttime lows hover around 22 °C (71.6 °F) to 23 °C (73.4 °F). In
518-496: Is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Planning Associates (IPA), a consortium of three American planning and architecture firms made up of Wallace, Roberts, McHarg & Todd (WRMT – a group of architects) as the lead, Archi systems International (a subsidiary of the Howard Hughes Corporation), and Planning Research Corporation. The Central Business District of Abuja
592-591: Is a colorful one as the drums are rolled out with singers, dancers and prayers for the Ogoga, the King of the town, whom is known as the harbinger of good fortunes for Ikere , to enjoy a long reign and for the town to witness greater development. Many activities are held including hunting, gun firing and the display of all the crowns worn by the Oba. The Oba always dresses in traditional clothing known as Aso Oke , with his white crown, while
666-555: Is celebrated with the Igbo festival, it is said that yam is one of the ways of measuring a man's wealth. During the festival, different types of yams are served to people with different sauce to celebrate. Popular amongst this celebration in the Federal capital is the annual Nollywood New Yam Festival & Awards, now rebranded as Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival and currently in its 12th edition set for November, 2024. Ekinrin-Adde town
740-476: Is considered one of the major or the most important crops in Nigeria as it is grown in mostly all the states, and whoever in a community has a barn of Yam, is listed among the wealthy sets of people in the community. Yam is counted to be more than just food. It is very well respected in Nigeria and is one of the major food accepted as bride price when a man is seeking for a woman's hand in marriage. The festival
814-443: Is defined by Aso Rock , a 400-metre (1,300 ft) monolith left by water erosion . The Presidential Complex , National Assembly , Supreme Court and much of the city extends to the south of the rock. Zuma Rock , a 792-metre (2,598 ft) monolith , lies just north of the city on the expressway to Kaduna . At the 2006 census , the city of Abuja had a population of 776,298 and 179,674 households making it one of
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#1733086050750888-647: Is distinct from Wuse Zone 2. Like other inner Abuja districts such as Asokoro or Garki, there are very few large housing estates. Instead, office buildings, mansions and apartment blocks are prominent features of the area. There are five suburban districts: Nyanya , Karu , Gwagwalada , Kubwa , and Jukwoyi . Along the Airport Road (Now Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Express Way) are clusters of satellite settlements , namely Lugbe , Chika , Kuchigworo and Pyakassa . Other satellite settlements are Idu (the main industrial zone ), Mpape , Karimu , Gwagwa , Dei-Dei (housing
962-566: Is home to the top-bracket sections of society and business and has the reputation of being very exclusive and very expensive. Interesting buildings include the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigerian Communications Commission Headquarters (NCC), National Universities Commission (NUC), Soil Conservation Complex, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The British High Commission is located along Aguiyi Ironsi Way, in Maitama. Also,
1036-450: Is known for its vast celebration of the new yam festival, which holds every July in the town. At about thirteen days to the festival, Olokpe(the King) and his Chiefs who are the committee members for the festival notify the community about new improvements or deductions to the festival. After this, the King sends his greetings to the whole kingdom through the gunshots which are heard far and near by
1110-558: Is located in North eastern Nigeria, Kogi State specifically. Ikere town is located in Ekiti State , South western Nigeria. where the yam festival is celebrated yearly. The festival is called Odun Ijesu in Yoruba Language (Festival of eating yam) and it is done to thank orisha for the fertility of the land and for crowning their efforts in the previous planting season. The festival
1184-401: Is mostly celebrated among the Igbo people due to different spiritual ideologies surrounding Yams, as told by ancestors through stories passed on until the current day. Yams are annual crops, although they are sometimes regarded as perennial crops due to their life cycle. Therefore, New Yam Festival is celebrated annually, after new yams are harvested The festival holds yearly to celebrate
1258-610: Is one of the most exclusive districts of Abuja and houses virtually all of the federal cabinet ministers as well as most of the diplomatic community in the city; in addition, the Presidential Palace (commonly referred to as the Aso Rock) is in Asokoro District. By virtue of this fact, Asokoro is the most secure area of the city. Abuja's Central District , also called Central Area, is a strip of land stretching from Aso Rock in
1332-524: Is the Ministry of Defense, colloquially nicknamed "Ship House". Also located here is the yet-to-be-completed National Square, Millennium tower and Nigeria Cultural Centre multi-functional complex. The Garki District is the area in the southwest corner of the city, having the Central District to the north and the Asokoro District to the east. The district is subdivided into units called "Areas". Garki uses
1406-728: Is the city park, which is located in Wuse 2 and is home to numerous outdoor and indoor attractions such as a 4D cinema, Astro-turf, lawn tennis court, paintball arena and a variety of restaurants. The National Children's Park and Zoo host a number of animals and recreation spots. Abuja has a variety of informal spaces known as "Bush Bars" that usually, though not always, include a covered area with tables and chairs where people can sit and have drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and sometimes there are snacks such as suya , grilled catfish , pounded yam , egusi soup and other small items available for purchase. They are located all over Abuja. The elevation
1480-596: The Federal Republic of Nigeria , strategically situated at the geographic midpoint of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria , it hosts key national institutions, landmarks, and buildings spread across its over 50 districts. It replaced Lagos , the country's most populous city, as the capital on 12 December 1991. Abuja's geography
1554-635: The Guinean forest-savanna mosaic zone of the West African sub-region. Patches of rain forest , however, occur in the Gwagwa plains, especially in the rugged terrain to the southeastern parts of the territory, where a landscape of gullies and rough terrain is found. These areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) form one of the few surviving occurrences of the mature forest vegetation in Nigeria . At
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#17330860507501628-805: The Millennium Tower , the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, the Nigerian Presidential Complex , the Ship House, the National Stadium , which was the main venue of the 2003 All Africa Games and some games, including the final, of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, National Mosque , the National Church , Aso Rock and Zuma Rock . Abuja is home to several parks and green areas with the largest one being Millennium Park . Millennium Park
1702-521: The diurnal temperature variation to be much larger than coastal cities with similar climates such as Lagos . Rainfall in the FCT reflects the territory's location on the windward side of the Jos Plateau and the zone of rising air masses with the city receiving frequent rainfall during the rainy season from April to October every year. The effects of climate change have been observed in Abuja, according to
1776-697: The metropolitan area of Abuja is estimated at six million people, placing it behind only Lagos as the most populous metro area in Nigeria. Major religious sites include the Nigerian National Mosque and the Nigerian National Christian Centre . The city is served by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport . Abuja is known for being one of the few purpose-built capital cities in Africa, as well as being one of
1850-511: The ten most populous cities in Nigeria (placing eighth as of 2006). According to the United Nations, Abuja grew by 139.7% between 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest-growing city in the world. As of 2015 , the city is experiencing an annual growth of at least 35%, retaining its position as the fastest-growing city on the African continent and one of the fastest-growing in the world. As of 2016,
1924-411: The 2006 census, the city of Abuja had a population of 776,298, making it than the eighth most populous city in Nigeria . United Nations figures showed that Abuja grew by 139.7% between 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest-growing city in the world. As of 2015 , the city is experiencing an annual growth of at least 35%, retaining its position as the fastest-growing city on the African continent and one of
1998-820: The Administration of the Federal Capital Territory has its offices in Garki. The Office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is in Area 11. This is the location of the Federal Capital Development Authority and other administrative buildings. A popular sub-neighbourhood here is found in the vicinity of Gimbiya Street because it has the unique characteristic of being a purely administrative zone on weekdays while transforming purely into an entertainment zone on weeknights and weekends. Other places of note include
2072-523: The Central District is the region known as the Three Arms Zone , so-called because it houses the administrative offices of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the federal government. A few of the other sites worth seeing in the area are the federal secretariats alongside Shehu Shagari Way, Aso Hill, the Abuja Plant Nursery, Eagle Square (which has important historic significance, as it
2146-650: The Cyprian Ekwensi Arts & Culture Centre and The Nigerian Police Mobile Force CID (Criminal Investigation Department) headquarters in Area 10. The Abuja Municipal Area Council, which is the local government administration has its headquarters in Area 10. The new United States Embassy is in the Diplomatic Zone which adjoins Garki. Maitama District is to the north of the city, with the Wuse and Central Districts lying to its southwest and southeast respectively. This area
2220-468: The International Livestock market and also International Building materials market). The Abuja skyline is made up of mostly mid-range and a few tall buildings. Only recently have tall buildings begun to appear. Most of the buildings are modern, reflecting that it is a new city. Plans were made to build skyscrapers such as the Millennium Tower which is partly completed as work has stalled for
2294-573: The Maitama District Hospital is another notable building in Maitama. Maitama District is home to many of the European and Asian embassies. Maitama II District Cadastral Zone A10 is a new district created by the FCT administration of Muhammed Bello in 2018. Maitama 2 as it is unofficially called was created from Mpape Hills, a suburb bothering the Bwari and Maitama Districts of the FCT. Maitama II has
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2368-535: The Maitama II District layout. It is not clear though if a fresh allocation bearing Maitama II District has been issued to this set of allottees. Notable landmarks of the Maitama 2 district are Jubilation Avenue, Mount Pleasant Haven and Hilltop Estate. The district infrastructure is in top gear as the Federal Government had in the 2018 and 2019 budgets allocated about N1.3b for the engineering design of
2442-564: The New Yam Festival as held in Benin centuries ago has survived: these are quoted by ROTH (1903: 76) writing shortly after the destruction of the Benin Empire. The first of these states that the ceremony was held at the beginning of the yam harvest, the king is presented with an earthenware pot , containing soil , and an old yam (i.e. one from the previous season) which he plants in the pot. During
2516-819: The Nigerian Armed Forces – Army, Airforce and Navy – is located on Muhammadu Buhari Way in the Garki District. The tallest building in this district is the Radio House located in the Area 11 sector, which houses the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON). The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) stations and corporate headquarters are also in Garki. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) which oversees and runs
2590-567: The Nigerian Government's engagement with an internationally reputable firm to design the master plan. IPA was formed by a consortium of three American firms which won the worldwide competitive bidding. The firms were Planning Research Corporation (PRC), Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd, and Archisystems (a division of the Hughes Organisation). After winning the bid, and completing the project, the firms were disbanded. The final report
2664-640: The Olokoro/Olu-Otun group first then the Orotas and others follow. After the groups, everyone present follow to pay their respect. Also, Masquerade performances occur from the Igbabolelimin masquerade (masquerade from the spirit world), Egungun Oniye (masquerade with feathers), Igunnuko masquerade, Agbo Olode masquerade, as well as performance from the Geledes (humans wearing masks) Various dishes are shared during
2738-591: The Oloris (King's wives) are adorned with various beads and they dance before the King. , The Ogidi community is located in Ijumu , local government area of Kogi State . The town is known for the presence and formation of indigenous rocks. The town is popularly known for its agricultural produce, especially yams. In Ogidi, yams are considered miraculous plants that show fertility thus the period of plenty yam harvest signifies that other plants will flourish. All these culminates in
2812-449: The Yams and no one is expected to have a taste of the new yam before the festival as it is considered a taboo. The festival is very important to the ibos and is celebrated each year. The festival serve as a season where indigines of the town return home to re-unite themselves with their loved ones and enjoy together. Abuja Abuja ( / ə ˈ b uː dʒ ə / ) is the capital city of
2886-461: The annual celebration of the Ogidi new yam festival. According to the people of Ogidi, new yam festival is celebrated to offer thanksgiving to God who gives increase and yield. It is celebrated in conjunction with the ogidi-Ela day which is the land's cultural day, which starts few days to the festival week. Different dance groups parade the community and hunters demonstrate gun firing to create awareness of
2960-452: The beginning and end of a new season. Also, it is said to be a taboo to eat the new Yam before the celebration as it is a means of pleasing and appealing to the gods and spirit of harvest and god of the Earth and thanking them for a bountiful harvest. By so doing, the gods will be happy and will bring a better harvest in the new season. In Benin, Nigeria , It is fortunate that brief reports on
3034-616: The biggest opposition to it was led by Obafemi Awolowo . Awolowo, as a politician and a representative of the Yoruba people, defended their claims against the move of the Capital from Lagos. During the hotly-contested campaign for the presidency, he vowed to hire the American Walt Disney Company to convert the new site (Abuja) into an amusement park if he was elected. However, after his election as president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari laid
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3108-491: The busy Herbert Macaulay Way, Nicon Luxury Hotel (formally known as Abuja Sofitel Hotel and Le Meridian), Agura Hotel and Old Federal Secretariat Complex Buildings (Area 1). A new five-star hotel, Hawthorn Suites Abuja, is in Garki. Area 2 is mainly used for residential purposes, although a zoological garden, as well as a small shopping centre, are to be found here as well. Several banks and other commercial offices are located along Moshood Abiola Way in Area 7. The headquarters of
3182-543: The central areas of the capital, particularly its monumental core, was accomplished by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange , with his team of city planners at Kenzo Tange and Urtec company. Most countries relocated their embassies to Abuja, and many maintain their former embassies as consulates in Lagos , the commercial capital of Nigeria. Abuja is the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and
3256-675: The city is here. This district houses the Sheraton Hotel and Towers (Zone 4), Grand Ibro International Hotel, the Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters (Zone 3), Nigerian Customs Services Headquarters, Federal Civil Service Commission (Zone 3), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC) (Zone 7), Wuse General Hospital, and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation . Just as Garki District has Garki II, Wuse has Wuse II. This
3330-478: The community marching to the Ogidi community ground where the ceremony takes place. People are adorned with beautiful attires that brighten the environment. The festival fully starts when the King, Rabiu Oladimeji Sule (the Ologidi of Ogidi land), arrives the venue. His presence creates a special atmosphere as the crowd raise their voices with cheer. When the Ologidi arrives, different groups are allowed to pay respect with
3404-480: The dancing and merrymaking that follow, this pot is surreptitiously replaced by a similar one, containing a well developed new yam, which is later presented to the people, presumably as a sign of the king’s magical powers over the crops. The increase in size between the two tubers is held to indicate the magnitude of the harvest that may be anticipated. Okpe is a town located at Akoko-Edo local council in Edo state . The town
3478-458: The district. Villages around the district are living in fear of demolition at any time with the information reaching them that government will commence the infrastructure project of Maitama II District. Wuse District is the northwestern part of the city, with the Maitama District to its north and the Central District to its south. The District is numbered Zones 1–6. The Wuse Market is Abuja's principal market. The second most important post office in
3552-402: The dry season, daytime temperatures can soar as high as 40 °C (104.0 °F) and overnight temperatures can dip to 20 °C (68.0 °F). Even the coolest nights can be followed by daytime temperatures well above 30 °C (86.0 °F). The medium altitude and undulating terrain of the FCT act as a moderating influence on the weather of the territory. The city's inland location causes
3626-623: The east to the National Stadium and the Old City gate in the West. It is like the city's spinal cord, dividing it into the northern sector with Maitama and Wuse, and the southern sector with Garki and Asokoro. While each district has its own clearly demarcated commercial and residential sectors, the Central District is the city's principal Business Zone, where practically all parastatals and multinational corporations have their offices. An attractive area in
3700-429: The entirety of the city proper (Phases 1–5) is enclosed by the Murtala Muhammed (Outer Northern-ONEX and Outer Southern-OSEX) expressways as well as the Federal A2 highway which traverses the Federal Capital Territory on its way to Kaduna (north-bound) and Lokoja (south-bound). Thus, there is an integration of the city's road network with the Federal highway network, providing access to the immediate outlying countryside and
3774-505: The ethnic and religious divisions of Nigeria , plans had been devised since Nigeria's independence to have its capital in a place deemed neutral to all major ethnic parties, and also in close proximity to all the regions of Nigeria. The location was eventually designated in the centre of the country in the early 1970s as it signified neutrality and national unity. Another impetus for Abuja came because of Lagos ' population boom that made that city overcrowded and conditions squalid. As Lagos
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#17330860507503848-408: The fastest-growing in the world. Abuja has witnessed a huge influx of people into the city; the growth has led to the emergence of satellite towns, such as Karu Urban Area , Suleja , Gwagwalada, Lugbe, Kuje and smaller settlements towards which the planned city is sprawling. The urban agglomeration centred upon Abuja had a population estimated at 3,770,000 in 2022. The metropolitan area of Abuja
3922-413: The festival so the people will remain active and lively. The Igbo people also known as the Ibos are from the southeastern part of Nigeria. They are one of the major people in Nigeria that celebrates the new yam festival. They hold the festival at the beginning of each harvest of new yam (Iri ji) or Onwa Asaa (seventh month). The purpose of the festival is to thank God for a bountiful harvest especially for
3996-480: The festivities in the community. The festival is celebrated for one week with several activities such as cultural performances, presentation of new yams, chieftaincy investitures and awards. Other activities are free medical checkups, novelty match, Jumat service, excursion to the Oroke Oda mountain and a bonfire. The colorful festival always attracts tourists from neighboring communities and states such as Edo, Ekiti, Osun , Lagos etc. The festival begins with members of
4070-503: The first foundation for Abuja's infrastructure and pushed for its early completion. His first journey outside of Lagos after his election was to Abuja, where he visited contractors and workers on site to urge a speedy completion of the project. On his return, he confided in Alhaji Abubakar Koko his disappointment with the slow progress of work. Shehu Shagari rescheduled the planned relocation to Abuja from 1986 to 1982 which later proved difficult. The International Planning Associates (IPA)
4144-427: The foot of Aso Rock, while Phase 5, consisting of the newly created Kyami District covering the vicinity of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the permanent campus of the University of Abuja, over 40 kilometres west of Aso Rock. Each Phase is separated from the other by an expressway (some still under construction); for example, Phases 1 and 2 are separated from each other by the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway, while
4218-496: The interests of the municipality's residents. The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike , heads the FCTA while AMAC's chairman is Christopher Zaka Maikalangu. For ease and co-ordination of developmental efforts, the city was divided into 'Phases' by its planners, with the city's development taking a concentric form with Phase 1, which consists of the city's inner districts-Central Area, Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Wuse II, Garki, Garki II, Guzape and Guzape II-at its core spreading out from
4292-446: The last few years. This structure looms 170 metres (560 ft) above the city. The tower is part of a huge cultural development complex called the Nigeria National Complex including the Nigeria Cultural Centre, a 120,000 m (1,300,000 sq ft) structure dedicated to the art and culture of Nigeria. The Cultural Centre and the Millennium Tower have been designed by the Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti . Landmarks include
4366-449: The momentum now exhibited at the beginning of the actual implementation of the new capital could not have been achieved. The plan itself represents a milestone in the process of building the new capital city. It is a necessary element in the monumental effort about to be undertaken by the Nigerian people." The master plan for Abuja defined the general structure and major design elements of the city that are now visible. More detailed design of
4440-506: The palace dressed in white attires. They visit four Shrines (called the Ancestral spots) to offer prayers and blessings for a better harvest and more productive years. The ceremony continues later at the town square with a speech to address the town issues given by the Olokpe as well as other guests and reputable individuals from the town. Abuja , the Capital of Nigeria , lies in the central part of Nigeria, in Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ). During its New yam festival celebrations, which
4514-423: The people. The sounds carry the message ‘ Wasigbeenile ’, which means, ‘thank you all for taking good care of me in this outgoing year”. The people then greet themselves with this word throughout day. On the first day of the ceremony, people visit the palace with gifts such as assorted bush meat, goats, yam tubers etc. as a mark of respect for the king's throne . On the main day, the King and his chiefs come out of
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#17330860507504588-417: The regional headquarters of OPEC . Abuja and the FCT have experienced huge population growth; it has been reported that some areas around Abuja have been growing at 20% to 30% per year. Squatter settlements and towns have spread rapidly in and outside the city limits. Tens of thousands of people have been evicted since former FCT minister Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai started a demolition campaign in 2003. Abuja
4662-446: The surrounding states of the country i.e. Niger State to the west, Kaduna State to the north, Nasarawa State to the east and Kogi State to the south. Abuja is organised into phases, which are further divided into districts. Asokoro , the doyen of the districts, houses all of the state's lodges/guesthouses. The ECOWAS secretariat is a focal point of interest. Asokoro is to the east of Garki District and south of Central District. It
4736-457: The wealthiest. Abuja is Nigeria's administrative and political capital. It is also a key capital on the African continent due to Nigeria's geo-political influence in regional affairs. Abuja is also a conference centre and hosts various meetings annually, such as the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and the 2014 World Economic Forum (Africa) meetings. Abuja joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2016. "Abuja"
4810-493: Was already undergoing rapid economic development, the Nigerian regime felt the need to expand the economy towards the inner part of the country, and hence decided to move its capital to Abuja. The logic used was similar to the way Brazil planned its capital, Brasília . The Federal Military Government of Nigeria promulgated decree No. 6 on 4 February 1976, which initiated the removal of the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja. The initial work for Abuja's planning and implementation
4884-401: Was carried out by the Military Government of General's Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo . However, the foundation of Abuja was under the Administration of Shehu Shagari in 1979. Construction started in 1979 but, due to economic and political instability, the initial stages of the city were not complete until the late 1980s. The move of Nigeria's Capital to Abuja was controversial, and
4958-412: Was commissioned in June 1977, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to produce the Abuja Master Plan and its regional grid. According to the terms of reference, the master planning process was to include a review of relevant data, selection of a capital city site, preparation of regional and city plans and the accompanying design and development standards manual. IPA did not exist prior to
5032-420: Was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange . The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is the local government authority responsible for administering the city of Abuja. It operates under the oversight of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which governs the entire Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The AMAC's chairman is responsible for leading the council's activities and representing
5106-424: Was designed by architect Manfredi Nicoletti and was officially opened by the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II (the former Queen of Nigeria ) in December 2003. Another open area park is located in Lifecamp Gwarimpa; near the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The park is located on a slightly raised hilltop which contains sports facilities like Basketball and Badminton courts another park
5180-413: Was estimated in 2016 at six million people, the country's second-most populous metro area. The city has a large and growing immigrant community consisting mainly of nationals from the ECOWAS sub-region. The city has been undergoing a rapid pace of physical development over the last fifteen years. Real estate is a major driver of the Abuja economy. This correlates with the considerable growth and investment
5254-684: Was in the earlier 20th century the name of the nearby town now called Suleja . The indigenous inhabitants of Abuja are the Abawa, Basa , Gwandara , Gbagyi (Gwari) having the majority population in the region. Other groups in the area include the Gade , Dibo , Egburra, Nupe and Koro . The Gwandara speaking people in Abuja are mostly found in AMAC and Bwari Area Council. Some of their villages/settlements are Wuse, Asokoro now relocated to Sabon Wuse, Aso in Niger and other neighbouring states. Others are Karshi, Kurudu, Nyanya , Idu, Gwagwa, Jiwa, Sheretti, Karmo, Takunshara, Burum, Dutse Alhaji, Zuba, Kuje, Kwoi, Karon-Magaji, Ija, Kanwu, Sherre. In light of
5328-604: Was in this grounds that the present democratic dispensation had its origin on 29 May 1999) and in which all subsequent Presidential Inauguration ceremonies have taken place. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is situated across Shehu Shagari Way facing Eagle Square. This section is usually closed to traffic during the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremonies that is observed on 15 January. The National Mosque and National Church of Nigeria are opposite each other on either side of Independence Avenue. A well-known government office
5402-457: Was learned that plots of land were revoked from allottees of Mpape district to create the new Maitama II District, although a compensation plan is underway to relocate the revoked allottees to another district the government intends to create. Fortunately, some developers of the Mpape district who have building plan approval and have started building maintain their plots and allocations and are covered in
5476-435: Was submitted to the pioneer Executive Secretary of FCDA, Alhaji Abubakar Koko , on 15 February 1979. In the preface to the master plan, the following declaration was made by IPA: "The master plan for Abuja the new Capital City of Nigeria represents the culmination of 18 months' work by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) board, and several advisory panel consultants. Without the unstinting efforts of these experts,
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