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Orlu (Igbo: Ọ̀lụ́)[1] is the second-largest city in Imo State South East (Nigeria)|South East]], Nigeria, with a population of 420,600.[2] It has a long history as the headquarters for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and humanitarian relief agencies during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. The city houses the Nigerian headquarters of the British Cheshire Home. It is the second most developed city after Owerri in Imo state.
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Orlu is a home for enterprise and industry and is unofficially known as the "commercial capital" of Imo state. Many successful Nigerian businessmen and industrialists hail from the twelve local government areas that make up the Orlu Senatorial Zone. They include Orlu, Orsu, Isu, Njaba, Nwangele, Nkwerre, Ideato North, Ideato South, Oru East, Oru West, Ohaji/Egbema, and Oguta. The city centre of the local government area is within the host towns of Amaifeke, Ihioma/Ebenese, Umuna, Umuowa, Umutanze, Okporo, Orlu-Gedegwum,Amike and Owerre-Ebeiri. When all of the LGAs in the zone are included Orlu's population is estimated to be approaching 3,000,000 inhabitants.
Orlu is the permanent site for various industries including state and federal agencies like the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, the state-owned cardboard industry in Owerri-Ebeiri, the newly built Imo State School of Nursing and Health Technology at Okporo as well as many small and medium-sized chemical and pharmaceutical companies. The multipurpose Imo International Market which houses one of the three most influential pharmaceutical markets in West Africa is based in Orlu due to the high number of Orlulites in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. Consequently, the Orlu Zonal Area has the highest concentration of indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and marketers in the whole African continent.
The Ogbosisi Timber Centre is located within the quickly expanding Orlu Urban area and the city centre. The Nigeria Immigration Training School (NITS) in Umuowa and the Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (TESAC) are also based in the city.
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Many towns in Orlu hold cultural festivals.[citation needed] The people of Orlu have made important contributions to the education, sports, and political growth of Nigeria.
Notable members of the ruling family include Eze Patrick I Ibeakanma Acholonu, the first Senator to represent the Orlu/Okigwe division (presently Orlu Zone and Okigwe Zone) in the old Federation of Nigeria as well as the 1st Republic;[4][5] the late Justice Ignatius Chukwudi Pats Acholonu, the first Orlu indigene to become a Supreme Court justice; Dr. Douglas Acholonu, former deputy governor of Imo state in the 3rd Republic; Dr. Mrs Catherine Acholonu, author, researcher, playwright and Senior Special Adviser to President Obasanjo in the 4th Republic; Eze Dr. Patrick II Chinedu Acholonu, Igwe XI, Duru IX of Orlu Gedegwum.
The footballer Samuel Okwaraji who died playing for Nigeria hails from Umudioka Orlu, hence the city's main stadium name, Umuowa. The former governor of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa, hails from Amaifeke Orlu while the immediate past governor, and current Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District and Chairman of House Committee on Culture & Tourism Owelle Rochas Okorocha hails from Ogboko where the Eastern Palm University is located, in the outskirts of the city. Orlu Senatorial Zone has produced the highest number of governors in Imo State.
Other notable residents include:
- Ada Jesus – Nigerian actress and comedienne[6][7][8][9]
- Chiamaka Nnadozie – footballer
- Joseph Chukwudi Obidiaso – footballer[10]
- Fredrick Ogechi Okwara – footballer
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Orlu Local Government Area consists of over thirty-three autonomous communities. They include towns like:[11]
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlu (Latin Dioecesis Orluanus) was erected on November 29, 1980, and houses the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in west and central Africa. Augustine T. Ukwuoma succeeded Bishop Gregory O. Ochiagha who had served as the Bishop of Orlu since its creation. Orlu is also the location of Nigeria's only parish of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (the Nne Enyemaka Shrine). It also has a diocese of the Anglican communion. The region also has a number of orthodox and Protestant churches to boost its Christian activities.
In addition, there exist an Anglican Diocese of Orlu with its headquarters at Nkwerre created by the Anglican church of Nigeria in 1984 with the Rt.Revd S. Ebo as the first bishop, today, The Anglican diocese of Orlu has over 23 Archdeaconries, more than 55 parishes and over 150 priests, making it the second largest diocese in imo state after the Anglican diocese of Owerri with over 50,000 parishioners
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The average annual temperature ranges from 66 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely falling below 58 or rising over 89 degrees.[12][13]
Orlu is an emeritus sister city with:[14]
Austin, United States
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