Orlu
About
Orlu is the second-largest city in Imo State in South East Nigeria, with a population of 420,600. It is the headquarters of the Orlu Local Government Area and is regarded as the homeland of the Igbo people in Nigeria, specifically the Orlu people who speak the Isuama dialect of Igbo. Orlu is known for its commercial and industrial activity, and is unofficially called the commercial capital of Imo State. It hosts state and federal agencies, a teaching hospital, pharmaceutical and chemical businesses, and the Imo International Market. The city is also a centre for missionary and church activity, including a Roman Catholic diocese and an Anglican diocese.
History
Orlu's history includes its role as headquarters for the Organisation of African Unity and humanitarian relief agencies during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. British colonisation in the 19th and early 20th centuries brought major social and political change, and missionary activity largely replaced the traditional odinani religion with Christianity. Around 1900, the town became an important hub for missionaries and traders. Since Nigeria's democratisation in 1999, there has been a push for self-determination, including calls for the Orlu region to secede from Imo State and form its own state. A bill to create the State of Orlu was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2024.
Source: Wikipedia: Orlu, Imo State
Key Facts
State
Imo State
Headquarters
Orlu headquarters Building
Chairman
Chris Mbarie
Population
420000 (estimated)