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Onitsha, Nigeria

Maciej Mońka
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Onitsha (pop 362,000, 1995 est.) is a city, commercial centre and river port of Anambra State, South eastern Nigeria. It lies at a major east-west crossing point of the Niger river, and occupies the northernmost point of the river regularly navigable by large vessels. These factors have historically made Onitsha a major centre for trade between the coastal regions and the north, as well as between eastern and western Nigeria. Onitsha possesses one of the very few road bridge crossings of the mile-wide Niger river. Immigrants from the Kingdom of Benin are believed to have founded Onitsha in the 16th century. It soon became capital of an Igbo kingdom. In 1857 British traders in palm oil established a permanent station in the city, and Christian missionaries soon followed. In 1884 Onitsha became part of a British protectorate. Modern day industrial products include textiles, beer, mineral water, shoes, lumber, tyres, nails and printed publications. Traditional occupations include fishing and canoe-building. Local agriculture produces palm oil, maize, nuts, vegetables, and fruit. The city contains both Catholic and Anglican cathedrals. It is the residence of the traditonal Igbo regional chieftain, the Obi of Onitsha. There is also a teacher training college for women and a famous leper colony. the city is also the residence of the Obi of Onitsha, an Igbo leader.