Abuja Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Cityscape == {{unreferenced section|date=January 2018}} [[File:Abuja Stadium 4.jpg|thumbnail|Spectators at a football match held at the [[Abuja National Stadium]]]] The Abuja skyline is made up of mostly mid-range and a few tall buildings. Only recently have tall buildings begun to appear. Most of the buildings are modern, reflecting that it is a new city. Plans were made to build skyscrapers such as the [[Millennium Tower (Abuja)|Millennium Tower]] which is partly completed as work has stalled for the last few years. This structure looms {{Convert|170|m}} above the city. The tower is part of a huge cultural development complex called the Nigeria National Complex including the Nigeria Cultural Centre, a {{Convert|120000|m2|abbr=on|adj=on}} structure dedicated to the art and culture of Nigeria. The Cultural Centre and the Millennium Tower have been designed by the Italian architect [[Manfredi Nicoletti]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=M.F.C.T|title=Abuja: Achievements of the federal capital territory 1985β1992|year=1995}}</ref> Landmarks include the [[Millennium Tower (Abuja)|Millennium Tower]], the [[Central Bank of Nigeria]] headquarters, the [[Nigerian Presidential Complex]], the Ship House, the [[Abuja National Stadium|National Stadium]], which was the main venue of the 2003 All Africa Games and some games, including the final, of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, [[Abuja National Mosque|National Mosque]], the [[National Church of Nigeria|National Church]], [[Aso Rock]] and [[Zuma Rock]].<ref name=":1" /> === Parks and open areas === [[File:Jabi lake.jpg|thumb|Jabi lake]] Abuja is home to several parks and green areas with the largest one being [[Millennium Park (Abuja)|Millennium Park]]. Millennium Park was designed by architect [[Manfredi Nicoletti]] and was officially opened by the United Kingdom's [[Queen Elizabeth II]] (the former [[Queen of Nigeria]]) in December 2003. Another open area park is located in Lifecamp Gwarimpa; near the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The park is located on a slightly raised hilltop which contains sports facilities like Basketball and Badminton courts another park is the city park, it is located in wuse 2 and is home to numerous outdoor and indoor attractions such as a 4D cinema, Astro-turf, lawn tennis court, paintball arena and a variety of restaurants. The National Children's Park and Zoo host a number of animals, and recreation spots.<ref>{{cite web |title=23 things to do in Abuja |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293825-d14977048-Reviews-National_Children_s_Park_and_Zoo-Abuja_Federal_Capital_Territory.html |website=tripadvisor |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref> [[File:National Children's Park, Abuja 4.jpg|thumb|left|National Children's Park and Zoo]] ==== Bush Bars ==== Abuja has a variety of informal spaces known as "Bush Bars" that usually, though not always, include a covered area with tables and chairs where people can sit and have drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and sometimes there are snacks such as [[suya]], grilled [[catfish]], pounded [[Yam (vegetable)|yam]], [[egusi]] soup and other small items available for purchase. They are located all over Abuja.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeremy|title=Sunday, August 27, 2006 Abuja bush bars|url=http://www.naijablog.co.uk/2006/08/abuja-bush-bars.html|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223312/http://www.naijablog.co.uk/2006/08/abuja-bush-bars.html|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nigerian Suya Recipe: For Nigerians in Diaspora|url=http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/snacks/nigerian-suya-recipe.html|publisher=allnigerianrecipes.com|year=2013}}</ref> === Central Business District === Abuja's [[Central District, Abuja|Central District]], also called Central Area, is a strip of land stretching from [[Aso Rock]] in the east to the National Stadium and the Old City gate in the West. It is like the city's spinal cord, dividing it into the northern sector with Maitama and Wuse, and the southern sector with Garki and Asokoro. While each district has its own clearly demarcated commercial and residential sectors, the Central District is the city's principal Business Zone, where practically all parastatals and [[multinational corporations]] have their offices. An attractive area in the Central District is the region known as the '''Three Arms Zone''', so-called because it houses the administrative offices of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the federal government. A few of the other sites worth seeing in the area are the federal secretariats alongside Shehu Shagari Way, Aso Hill, the Abuja Plant Nursery, [[Eagle Square, Abuja|Eagle Square]] (which has important historic significance, as it was in this grounds that the present democratic dispensation had its origin on 29 May 1999) and in which all subsequent Presidential Inauguration ceremonies have taken place. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is situated across Shehu Shagari Way facing Eagle Square. This section is usually closed to traffic during the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremonies that is observed on 15 January. The [[Abuja National Mosque|National Mosque]] and [[National Church of Nigeria]] are opposite each other on either side of Independence Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/street/16260013/Independence-Ave |title=Independence Avenue |publisher=Wikimapia.org |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=2013-08-30}}</ref> A well-known government office is the Ministry of Defense, colloquially nicknamed "Ship House".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/9452603/Ministry-of-Defense-Ship-House |title=Ship House |publisher=Wikimapia.org |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=2013-08-30}}</ref> Also located here is the yet-to-be-completed National Square, Millennium tower and Nigeria Cultural Centre multi-functional complex. === Garki District === {{unreferenced section|date=January 2018}} The [[Garki District, Abuja|Garki District]] is the area in the southwest corner of the city, having the Central District to the north and the Asokoro District to the east. The district is subdivided into units called "Areas". Garki uses a distinctive naming convention of "Area" to refer to parts of Garki. These are designated as Areas 1 to 11. Garki II is used to differentiate the area from Garki Area 2. Visitors may find this system confusing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abuja City's Garki District - wtcf.travel |url=https://en.wtcf.org.cn/destination/2015-01/16/c_38841.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=en.wtcf.org.cn}}</ref> Garki is presently the principal business and administrative district of Abuja. Numerous buildings of interest are in this area. Some of them include the General Post Office, Abuja International Conference Centre along the busy Herbert Macaulay Way, Nicon Luxury Hotel (formally known as Abuja Sofitel Hotel and Le Meridian), Agura Hotel and Old Federal Secretariat Complex Buildings (Area 1). A new five-star hotel, Hawthorn Suites Abuja, is in Garki.<ref name=":2" /> Area 2 is mainly used for residential purposes, although a zoological garden, as well as a small shopping centre, are to be found here as well. Several banks and other commercial offices are located along Moshood Abiola Way in Area 7. The headquarters of the Nigerian Armed Forces β Army, Airforce and Navy β is located on Muhammadu Buhari Way in the Garki District. The tallest building in this district is the Radio House located at the Area 11 sector, which houses the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, the [[Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria]] (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON). The [[Nigerian Television Authority]] (NTA) stations and corporate headquarters are also in Garki. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) which oversees and runs the Administration of the Federal Capital Territory has its offices in Garki. The Office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is in Area 11.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Minister β FCT Residents Engagement Platform |url=https://myfctagov.ng/index.php/person-category/office-of-the-minister/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> This is the location of the Federal Capital Development Authority and other administrative buildings. A popular sub-neighborhood here is found in the vicinity of Gimbiya street, because it has the unique characteristic of being a purely administrative zone on weekdays, while transforming purely into an entertainment zone on weeknights and weekends.<ref>{{cite web|title=Abuja City Tour Guide|url=https://mmmhouse.org/abuja-city-tour-guide/|website=mmmHouse Abuja!|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> [[File:Jabi lake mall.jpg|thumb|Jabi lake mall]] Other places of note include the Cyprian Ekwensi Arts & Culture Centre and The Nigerian Police Mobile Force CID (Criminal Investigation Department) headquarters in Area 10. The Abuja Municipal Area Council, which is the local government administration has its headquarters in Area 10. The new United States Embassy is in the Diplomatic Zone which adjoins Garki. === Wuse District === {{unreferenced section|date=January 2018}} Wuse District is the northwestern part of the city, with the Maitama District to its north and the Central District to its south. The District is numbered Zones 1β6. The Wuse Market is Abuja's principal market. The second most important post office in the city is here. This district houses the Sheraton Hotel and Towers (Zone 4), Grand Ibro International hotel, the [[Federal Road Safety Corps (Nigeria)|Federal Road Safety Corps]] Headquarters (Zone 3), [[Nigeria Customs Service|Nigerian Customs Services]] Headquarters, Federal Civil Service Commission (Zone 3), [[National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control|National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration]] (NAFDAC) (Zone 7), Wuse General Hospital, and the [[Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation]]. Just as Garki District has Garki II, Wuse has Wuse II. This is distinct from Wuse Zone 2. Like other inner Abuja districts such as Asokoro or Garki there are very few large housing estates, instead, office buildings, mansions and apartment blocks are prominent features of the area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-27 |title=Geographical and Environmental Backgrounds of FCT, Abuja - Abuja OIPedia |url=https://abujaoipedia.org/content/geographical-and-environmental-backgrounds-of-fct-abuja/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Here is what you need to know about Wuse; the commercial hub of Abuja |url=https://estateintel.com/insights/here-is-what-you-need-to-know-about-wuse-the-commercial-hub-of-abuja |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=estateintel.com}}</ref> [[File:Abuja Millenium Park 2019 01.jpg|thumb|left|[[Millennium Park (Abuja)|Millennium Park]] in Maitama District]] === Maitama District === {{unreferenced section|date=January 2018}} [[File:Abuja Millennium Park.jpg|thumb|Millennium Park water fountain at night]] Maitama District is to the north of the city, with the Wuse and Central Districts lying to its southwest and southeast respectively. This area is home to the top bracket sections of society and business, and has the reputation of being very exclusive and very expensive. Interesting buildings include the Transcorp Hilton Abuja,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/abuhitw-transcorp-hilton-abuja/ |title=Transcorp Hilton Abuja |publisher=Hilton Hotels and Resorts |access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref> [[Nigerian Communications Commission]] Headquarters (NCC), [[National Universities Commission]] (NUC), Soil Conservation Complex, and [[Independent National Electoral Commission]] (INEC). The British High Commission is located along [[Aguiyi Ironsi]] Way, in Maitama. Also, the Maitama District Hospital is another notable building in Maitama. Maitama District is home to many of the European and Asian embassies. === Maitama II District === Maitama II District Cadastral Zone A10 is a new district created by the FCT administration of Muhammed Bello in 2018. Maitama 2 as it is unofficially called was created from Mpape hills, a suburb bothering Bwari and Maitama Districts of the FCT. Maitama II has a high net worth of individuals especially legislators as allottees, which makes it a destination for real estate investors who desire to secure the future today. It is not very clear what the government plans for the district as not much has been said by government agents, but cadastral zoning A indicates the government has good plans for Maitama 2 to correct some errors in Maitama District. It was learned that plots of land were revoked from allottees of Mpape district to create the new Maitama II District, although a compensation plan is underway to relocate the revoked allottees to another district the government intends to create. Fortunately, some developers of the Mpape district who have building plan approval and have started building maintain their plots and allocations and are covered in the Maitama II District layout. It is not clear though if a fresh allocation bearing Maitama II District has been issued to this set of allottees. Notable landmarks of the Maitama 2 district are Jubilation Avenue, Mount Pleasant Haven and Hilltop Estate. The district infrastructure is in top gear as the Federal Government had in the 2018 and 2019 budgets allocated about N1.3b for the engineering design of the district. Villages around the district are leaving in fear of demolition at any time with the information reaching them that government will commence the infrastructure project of Maitama II District.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maitama II Infrastructure to Commence Soon |url=https://leadership.ng/2020/08/21/provision-of-infrastructure-in-maitama-2-to-commence-soon/ |website=leadership.ng|date=29 May 2022 }}</ref> === Asokoro District === {{unreferenced section|date=January 2018}} [[Asokoro]], the [[doyen]] of the districts, houses all of the state's lodges/guesthouses. The ECOWAS secretariat is a focal point of interest. Asokoro is to the east of Garki District and south of Central District. It is one of the most exclusive districts of Abuja and houses virtually all of the federal cabinet ministers as well as most of the diplomatic community in the city; in addition, the Presidential Palace (commonly referred to as the Aso Rock) is in Asokoro District. By virtue of this fact, Asokoro is the most secure area of the city. === Jabi District === Jabi is a developed district in phase 2 of Abuja. It is both residential and commercial in nature. The residential parts of the district are peaceful with streets of large gated houses being a prominent feature. The more commercial parts of the area are significantly busier. The district plays host to the Jabi Lake, which sits by the Jabi Lake Mall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.villaafrika.com/jabi-district-guide/|title=Jabi Abuja {{!}} District Guide {{!}} Real Estate β Villa Afrika|website=Villa Afrika Realty|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-03}}</ref> === Gwarimpa District === [[Gwarimpa District, Abuja|Gwarimpa]] is the last district in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. It is a {{Convert|20|km|adj=on}} drive from the central district and contains the largest single housing estate in Nigeria, the [[Gwarimpa Estate|Gwarimpa Housing Estate]]. The estate was built by the administration of General [[Sani Abacha]] and is the largest of its kind in Africa. It provides residence for the majority of the civil servants in federal ministries and government [[parastatal]]s. The ECOWAS Court has an official quarter for the President and Members of the Court in Gwarimpa. === Durumi District === Durumi District is located southwest of Abuja and is bordered by Garki Districts I and II to the northeast. Its borders are the Oladipo Diya Road to the southwest, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way to the northeast, and Ahmadu Bello Way to the southeast.<ref>{{cite web|title=Durumi (Abuja) Nigeria / Abuja Federal Capital Territory / Zubo / Abuja|url=http://wikimapia.org/15356368/Durumi|publisher=wikimapia.org/|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref> The American International School of Abuja is located in the Durumi District.<ref>{{cite web|title=American International School|url=https://plus.google.com/110693539914315955784/about?gl=us|publisher=Google+|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=American International School, Abuja|url=http://www.aisabuja.com/|publisher=American International School of Abuja|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref> === Apo District === It receives one of the best power supplies in the whole of Abuja.{{failed verification|date=March 2021}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Apo Dutse Abuja {{!}} Area Guide|url=https://www.villaafrika.com/apo-dutse-district-guide/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Villa Afrika Realty|language=en-US}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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