What's to love about Aba?

Did your read the heading? Of course, it's a question and what's your answer? There are many cities in South east Nigeria and Aba happens to be one of the famous ones, especially since it's not even a capital city. There are many things in Aba to look forward to even though you won't always catch me singing the laurels of this town also called Enyimba city. But let's get to know a few things about it. Shall we?

ABA - is home to the Enyimba Football Club. Enyimba, by the way means, the people's elephant. Yes, that creature in the forest that you would rather not stare at just so it doesn't give you a chase of your life. The elephant is a strong animal - so are the often strong willed inhabitants of this crazy city. Naturally uncouth, Aba in Abia state (not to be confused with Abakiliki in Ebonyi state) is a place where you learn to be harsh in order to survive, unfortunately. Nobody likes that aspect of the city dwellers but it's one thing that one has to grapple with to fit in. It reminds me so much about Lagos, minus the former national capital's fast paced life, Aba is almost as dangerous. But not as bad as Eko - talking about the hoodlums and villains over there.
But Aba has many virtues and I will list them here. So, numero uno is that's it's the home of Enyimba Football Club players who won the Nigerian football tournament a few times. The club has represented Nigeria in several sporting competitions.

Second, people say that the cost of living is quite affordable here. I agree with them. Foodstuff is relatively cheap here. I know that some people come all the way from Calabar, Port Harcourt even Uyo to shop for foodstuff in Aba. It's the home of traders so, many merchants travel to faraway cities and states like Benue, Plateau etc to buy foodstuff to sell to their customers. If you are anywhere around Aba, it might be nice to stop by the New Market, Ahia Ohuu or others to buy foodstuff.

Third, it's said that Aba was one time the importers' hub as many importers of fabric made a good living selling their products to Aba dwellers as well as others in its environs. Second hand clothing popularly called okirika brought many buyers/shoppers to Aba. People shopped good bargains for like new second hand clothes. Go Aba. If you want to catch the drama try Ahia Ohuu on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before 12 noon. Happy shopalistas!

What about cheap accommodation? Hush! Before the landlords go on strike, Aba houses are cheap for rent. Don't even begin the comparison between it and say Abuja, it's like comparing night and day without electricity. This is the fourth reason Aba is the bomb, a good place to dwell.

The last reason is not without its sentiments. Aba has so many churches. It's a place where people are free to worship whatever they choose. Of course, like most South eastern states, Christians are in the majority. But there's a popular street in Aba called Mosque Street or Road and it's a major junction in Aba and that's where Aba Central Mosque is located for Muslims to worship on Fridays. It's some sort of Ama Awusa.

What other reasons do you have for living in (and perhaps loving) Aba? Hehe...yeah, school fee is cheaper than Port Harcourt. I hear you and it's relatively good education too. You see why to love Aba.