Uturu

Uturu is a town located within latitudes 05.33°N and 06.03°N, in the northern part of Abia State, Nigeria. It is in the transition from rural to urban status, so it is witnessing many development activities.^[1] It is popularly known as a location for several educational institutions and the Marist Brothers community. Schools in Uturu include Abia State University, Marist Brothers' Juniorate, Uturu, Gregory University, and several post-secondary schools.

The population of Uturu has been growing at a high rate over decades, until the last decade. Its present population is over 40,000. It has archaeological importance -in 1977 a team of archaeologists discovered signs of the habitation of early, middle, and late Stone Age Homo erectus.^[2]

Uturu is divided into two regions, Ihite and Ikeagha. Ihite comprises Achara and Mba Ugwu (Ugwu-Ogu, Umu-Anyi, Ugwu-Ele, Ngodo, Amegu, Obi-Agu, Nnembi and Aro). Ikeagha comprises Isunabo, Akpukpa, Umumara, Nvurunvu, and Ndundu. In Uturu is the archeological site of Ngodo, in which was found a huge collection of stone-age implements, suggesting that the site was a major factory for such tools.

Universities[edit]

Uturu has a large university community, It hosts two primary universities of higher/tertiary education - Abia state university and Gregory University.

Abia State University is one of the state owned universities in Nigeria. These state academic institutions were created to expand admissions and bring professional skills, expertise and modern research facilities close to the city and rural dwellers, and have helped talented students to obtain higher education.

Notable people[edit]

• Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, President/CEO, Master Energy Group

• Joy Oluchi Nwogwugwu, Professor of Plant Pathology

• Mgbechi Agbara, Chief Whip IMO State House of Assembly, Post Colonial Nigeria

References[edit]

5°51′21″N 7°30′43″E / 5.85583°N 7.51194°E / 5.85583; 7.51194