Popular attractions in Owerri
Owerri, the capital city of ‘the Eastern Heartland’, Imo State, and the acclaimed ‘entertainment capital of Nigeria’, is one such city that is full of life and colour. It’s a place to catch all the fun one could ever need and its people are friendly and very accommodating. In fact they seem to ‘love strangers more than themselves’ – and protect them too.
Owerri has a reputation of being very busy at nights, especially on weekends, as people from all around Nigeria, especially other Easterners, go there to enjoy the weekend. Popular opinion holds that any stranger entering Owerri on a Friday night will not get accommodation as hotels will already be full to the brim – notwithstanding the fact that there are hundreds of hotels in Owerri.
The influx of visitors into the city of Owerri is made possible by virtue of its location; Imo state is situated in the midst of other Eastern Nigerian states, bordered by states like Rivers, Abia, Delta and Anambra, thus the reason for its slogan; ‘the Eastern Heartland’.
Another factor is the position of Owerri as the capital city of Imo State, plus the fact that there are only other few cities in the whole of Imo; Orlu, Okigwe and Ngor-Okpala, none as big as Owerri. Almost every major establishment can therefore be found in Owerri, little wonder Owerri is an expensive city to live in.
Other than the position and status of the city, the major thing that attracts others to Owerri is the lifestyle. Owerri people are widely believed to be among the most fun and lively in Nigeria. They are friendly and warm.
Other attractions are seen in things like the environment, the business potential, the beautiful women and the food. Owerri also has few notable tourist attractions.
Environment
Owerri is known for its beautiful environment that also has great weather. The tall buildings and malls, companies, city churches, schools, clubs and colourful hotels that line and adorn the major roads, and the streets, make for good sight-seeing. The main roads are clean and neatly tarred, and the residential houses are in well-organized arrangements.
Stephen Olayinka, a member of the outgoing 2012/2013 Batch C National Youth Service Corps, Imo State – originally based in Lagos State – had this to say about Owerri.
"I initially had the desire to serve in the East, but when I eventually got here, I was blown by the things I saw, especially the fleet of hotels in the city of Owerri. Judging by the fact that I’ve had the opportunity of visiting many local governments in Imo State, they really are nothing compared to Owerri – especially the sights you see."
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Entertainment
Owerri is full of entertaining joints, like clubs and bars, many of which serve as an extension to the bigger hotels. Other clubs and bars like Orange Room, 40-40, Orange Groove, Mimi, are famous joints popular amongst visitors, and they experience high patronage.Other entertainment centres like Ibari Ogwa, Splash Lounge, Valencia, and restaurants that offer more than just food are also worthy of mention.
Owerri is currently referred to as the ‘entertainment capital of Nigeria’ and homes an annual beauty pageant called "Miss Heartland".
Women
Imo a reputation for producing the most beautiful women in Nigeria. Imo State has produced a lot of beauty queens to represent Nigeria in international beauty contests. Imo State’s 22 year old Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha is currently Miss Nigeria 2013, and the 19 year old Stephanie Okwu, from Imo State, became first Runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2013 contest, and will represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2013 competition in Moscow, Russia.
When you ask anyone in Owerri what attracts people to them, the first thing they say is ‘the women’. A lot of men really do travel to Owerri because of the women. They are indeed beautiful – and friendly. Nigeria’s most popular actress, the beautiful star Genevieve Nnaji is clear evidence of this fact.
Food
Generally, Igbos and other tribes in the East are famous for their delicacies, especially the soups. Many say these states have the best foods around, and Owerri is no exception. Owerri however has its own indigenous delicacies.
Mrs. Chinwa Agbai, owner of Blossom Restaurant in the World Bank area of Owerri (behind Ideal Suite hotel) had the following to say.
"Even though Owerri is not really a tourist zone, people come to Owerri from all over Nigeria to have fun. In fact, people make money and come to Owerri to spend it. The major attractions are the hotels and other fun joints, and the women too, but Owerri also has its own delicacies that visitors love to try, especially soups like Ofe-Owerri, U’gba and Okra."
Hospitality business
The hotel business is the most thriving business in Owerri. The hotels alone are enough attractions to the lively city. The big hotels offer high class bars and clubs for people with exquisite taste for fun and entertainment. They are just too many to mention, but Rockview Hotel is one of those really worthy of mention.
Beautiful, hospitable and friendly people, homely environment, lots of fun and high-end entertainment, and great delicacies to try; Owerri is just a place to be – and as inhabitants believe, it’s a good place to spend your money!
The influx of visitors into the city of Owerri is made possible by virtue of its location; Imo state is situated in the midst of other Eastern Nigerian states, bordered by states like Rivers, Abia, Delta and Anambra, thus the reason for its slogan; ‘the Eastern Heartland’.
Another factor is the position of Owerri as the capital city of Imo State, plus the fact that there are only other few cities in the whole of Imo; Orlu, Okigwe and Ngor-Okpala, none as big as Owerri. Almost every major establishment can therefore be found in Owerri, little wonder Owerri is an expensive city to live in.
Other than the position and status of the city, the major thing that attracts others to Owerri is the lifestyle. Owerri people are widely believed to be among the most fun and lively in Nigeria. They are friendly and warm.
Other attractions are seen in things like the environment, the business potential, the beautiful women and the food. Owerri also has few notable tourist attractions.
Environment
Owerri is known for its beautiful environment that also has great weather. The tall buildings and malls, companies, city churches, schools, clubs and colourful hotels that line and adorn the major roads, and the streets, make for good sight-seeing. The main roads are clean and neatly tarred, and the residential houses are in well-organized arrangements.
Stephen Olayinka, a member of the outgoing 2012/2013 Batch C National Youth Service Corps, Imo State – originally based in Lagos State – had this to say about Owerri.
"I initially had the desire to serve in the East, but when I eventually got here, I was blown by the things I saw, especially the fleet of hotels in the city of Owerri. Judging by the fact that I’ve had the opportunity of visiting many local governments in Imo State, they really are nothing compared to Owerri – especially the sights you see."
continue......
Entertainment
Owerri is full of entertaining joints, like clubs and bars, many of which serve as an extension to the bigger hotels. Other clubs and bars like Orange Room, 40-40, Orange Groove, Mimi, are famous joints popular amongst visitors, and they experience high patronage.Other entertainment centres like Ibari Ogwa, Splash Lounge, Valencia, and restaurants that offer more than just food are also worthy of mention.
Owerri is currently referred to as the ‘entertainment capital of Nigeria’ and homes an annual beauty pageant called "Miss Heartland".
Women
Imo a reputation for producing the most beautiful women in Nigeria. Imo State has produced a lot of beauty queens to represent Nigeria in international beauty contests. Imo State’s 22 year old Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha is currently Miss Nigeria 2013, and the 19 year old Stephanie Okwu, from Imo State, became first Runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2013 contest, and will represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2013 competition in Moscow, Russia.
When you ask anyone in Owerri what attracts people to them, the first thing they say is ‘the women’. A lot of men really do travel to Owerri because of the women. They are indeed beautiful – and friendly. Nigeria’s most popular actress, the beautiful star Genevieve Nnaji is clear evidence of this fact.
Food
Generally, Igbos and other tribes in the East are famous for their delicacies, especially the soups. Many say these states have the best foods around, and Owerri is no exception. Owerri however has its own indigenous delicacies.
Mrs. Chinwa Agbai, owner of Blossom Restaurant in the World Bank area of Owerri (behind Ideal Suite hotel) had the following to say.
"Even though Owerri is not really a tourist zone, people come to Owerri from all over Nigeria to have fun. In fact, people make money and come to Owerri to spend it. The major attractions are the hotels and other fun joints, and the women too, but Owerri also has its own delicacies that visitors love to try, especially soups like Ofe-Owerri, U’gba and Okra."
Hospitality business
The hotel business is the most thriving business in Owerri. The hotels alone are enough attractions to the lively city. The big hotels offer high class bars and clubs for people with exquisite taste for fun and entertainment. They are just too many to mention, but Rockview Hotel is one of those really worthy of mention.
Beautiful, hospitable and friendly people, homely environment, lots of fun and high-end entertainment, and great delicacies to try; Owerri is just a place to be – and as inhabitants believe, it’s a good place to spend your money!
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