Cities
Owerri
Western Africa
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Owerri is the capital of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria, in the heart of Igboland. Local tradition holds it was founded in the 14th century by Ekwem Oha, and it served as the final capital of the breakaway Republic of Biafra in 1969 after Nigerian forces captured Enugu and Umuahia. Its population was estimated at 1,401,873 in 2016 across three local government areas. Owerri is known for its nightlife, hotels and leisure parks, for the Assumpta Cathedral seat of its Roman Catholic archdiocese, and as the birthplace of footballers Nwankwo Kanu and Kelechi Iheanacho.
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