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Being born in a city and migrating into a city are two different things. When one is born in a city, he or she tends to behave as if they own the city. They also understand the language and the way things are being done in the city and how things work within the city, but sometimes do not value the city because they may be tired of staying in one place their whole life. One of my friends once told me that she's tired of staying in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and wants to relocate to another state within or travel out of the country. When I asked her why she too such a decision she's bitterly told me that she went to nursery, primary, secondary and even the University in Port Harcourt. What a one-sided life without adventure. Unlike me, I was born in Port Harcourt but I've traveled to over 20 states within Nigeria. Traveling is also part of education. You won't blame her for wanting leave Port Harcourt City for another, but as we speak more people from different parts of Nigeria are flooding in Port Harcourt City. welcomes you to the Garden City of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Greetings greet hivers.
A Brief History and Geographical Location of Port Harcourt City
Port Harcourt City is known as the Garden City of Nigeria because of its richness in greenery. Port Harcourt City is a very popular and populous city in Nigeria. The name Port Harcourt was given by the British colonial administrators in 1912 because of the accessibility of the city through the Atlantic Ocean.Source in 2012 the city celebrated her centinary (100 years of it's existence). The ethnic groups that make up Port Harcourt City Local Government Area are: Ikwerre and the Okrika people. Although, today due to the Greater Port Harcourt Plan other areas like Oyibo and Eleme in Tai Local Government Area and some parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area are now known as Port Harcourt City.
There are two areas in Port Harcourt; the Residential and the industrial areas. We have the Government Residential Area (GRA) which include the Old GRA and the New GRA which comprisis of Phase 1,2 and 3. The Trans-Amadi industrial areas is particularly designed for industrial activities. It houses several Multi-National Corporations.
Welcome to Port Harcourt City
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When you see the sign post that reads welcome to Port Harcourt City, Nigeria there are somany things that comes into you mind, the good, the bad and the ugly. The reason is because the City offers you all that you desired but you must face the good, the bad and the ugly situations. The only way of escaping this is to be wise, be at peace with all men and mind your business. You can access Port Harcourt through the Atlantic Ocean from the Bonny High Sea axis, or through Abia state, Akwa Ibom State and Bayelsa state. Port Harcourt City is a very busy place to live in but the majority of the indigenes are lazy. They allow other people from other regions in Nigeria to take the wealth that the land is blessed with. Port Harcourt is a home to every ethnic group in Nigeria and every tribe is well represented in Port Harcourt.
How to Survive in Port Harcourt City
There are two ways of surviving in Port Harcourt and other areas in Nigeria either through the hard way or the smart way. There's nothing you do in Port Harcourt that'll not earn you a certain amount of income either in a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
- Hard Way
The way in this post simply mean doing menial jobs or working as an unskilled labour. Many people came into Port Harcourt jobless and homeless, but most of them were determined to do daily paid jobs like pushing of wheelbarrow, carrying of timbers and luggages for people instead of stealing. Most of the wheelbarrow pushers are from Northern Nigeria. It'll amaze you to know that these wheelbarrow pushers are doing well through daily savings known as _Akawo.
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The smart way comes in form of engaging oneself in online trading academy that's resident in Port Harcourt and doing import and export business. I know most of you thought I'll mention "Yahoo business** you're not serious. Na for my mouth you want hear say okro dey draw. Digital businesses like graphics designing are also available in Port Harcourt.
Employment Opportunities in Port Harcourt
Due to the rise of industrial activities in Port Harcourt City, there openings everywhere across the city. Although the state government haven't done any employment for over 5 years of this current administration. To get a job in the government parastatals is majorly based on who you know in the politics not based on merit. This is not just in Port Harcourt alone it's now the order of the day in Nigeria. Not only in government parastatals but also in the Multi-National Corporations, you equally needs special recommendations to get a job. The only employment opportunities opened to the poor and those who merit them is in small holding enterprises and private businesses and schools. You can create your own opportunity in the agricultural sector. But generally there employment opportunities in Port Harcourt but how to access them is the problem and limitation.
Markets in Port Harcourt City
Many people have employed themselves into petty trading ventures that have been sustaining them over the years. One of the remarkable markets in Port Harcourt is the
- Creek Road Market
The Creek road market is located at the township axis of Port Harcourt.
- Mile One Market
Mile one market is an Ultra-modern market located at the Diobu axis in Port Harcourt.
The Port Harcourt Mall
The Port Harcourt Mall is a multi-purpose store that houses different sections like electronics, supermarket and restaurant and many others.
Road Networks in Port Harcourt
Prior to the Wike led administration, there were fewer roads in Port Harcourt. Today the roads are better than before with more roads under construction and yet to be completed. It's actually during the lockdown period that I knew that a flyover can be completed in 8 months. Thanks to the supervision by Governor Woke.
Meet the Governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
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Finally, every state in Nigeria and the world at large has it's good, bad and ugly sides. Your ability to know how to adapt and make a living determines what you'll say about the place, some will say good while others will say bad but people who the terrain will surely excel in there endeavors. Goodbye from Port Harcourt City, Nigeria. Hope you enjoyed your time reading my post. Your upvotes and comments will serve as an encouragement. Thanks from