Who are the real indigenous people of Enugu? 7 shocking facts
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Even though you’re from Enugu State or you may have been hearing about it for long, I guess these 7 facts are going to be strange to you. They’re things most people still didn’t know about the Coal City state.
Enugu, an Igbo-speaking place, is originally called Enugwu, meaning “the top of the hill”. Like most part of the present-day Southeastern Nigeria, Enugu was rich with culture and already had evolved traditional belief systems before the arrival of the colonial masters.
The first European settlers, led by British mining engineer named Albert Kitson, landed in Enugu in 1909. Kitson was looking for silver. But, instead he discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Because coal was the pillar of the global economy in early 20th century – being the primary energy source for steam engines, factories, and the transoceanic navies – Kitson’s discovery immediately captured the interest of the colonial powers. The Colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick Lugard showed up, with full machinery of imperial control.
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Mining activities significantly increased in Enugu, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was sent to Britain. In 1915, the colonial government acquired land from indigenous people of Enugu, deepening colonial presence the more. They built railway system in 1916; they established a colliery settlement at Enugu Ngwo and named it “Enugu Coal Camp”. When it acquired township status in 1917 due to rapid industrialisation, the present-day Enugu State was formally called Enugwu Ngwo at that time.
So many foreign businesses saw the opportunities and came down to partake. John Holts arrived Enugu in 1917. The same year, The United Africa Company (UAC) in 1917 opened branches, too. Other notable companies, including the British Bank of West Africa (BBWA), kept coming in droves throughout 1920s.
Because of its strategic interests to the British masters, Enugu wielded greater influence as years passed by. The Southern province was officially created in January 1, 1914, and it’s capital was relocated to Enugu in 1929. In 1938, Enugu became the capital of Eastern Region, present-day Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states.
Enugu was named the capital of the defunct capital of Republic of Biafra in 1967. Before the civil war, Gen. Yakubu Gowon had splitted the country into 12 states, with Enugu falling under East Central State then known as Anambra State. Again, Enugu was chosen as the capital of Old Anambra State in 1979. Today, Enugu remains the capital city of Enugu State – the present status since 1991.