Edo State | |
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— State — | |
Nickname(s): Heart Beat of Nigeria | |
Location of Edo State in Nigeria | |
Coordinates: | |
Country | Nigeria |
Date created | 27 August 1991 |
Capital | Benin City |
Government | |
• Governor (List) |
Adams Oshiomhole (ACN) |
• Senators | |
• Representatives | |
Area | |
• Total | 17,802 km2 (6,873.4 sq mi) |
Area rank | 22nd of 36 |
Population (1991 census) | |
• Total | 2,159,848 |
• Estimate (2005) | 3,497,502 |
• Rank | 27th of 36 |
• Density | 121.3/km2 (314.2/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | |
• Year | 2007 |
• Total | $11.89 billion[1] |
• Per capita | $3,623[1] |
Time zone | WAT (UTC+01) |
ISO 3166 code | NG-ED |
Website | edostate.gov.ng |
Edo State is an inland state in central southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. It is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State, in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State.
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Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States.
The 1992 gubernatorial election, pitting John Odigie Oyegun (the SDP candidate) against Lucky Igbinedion (the NRC candidate) was annulled on February 4 of that year by the electoral tribunal. Among Igbinedion's claims were that the Oba of Benin and one of his chiefs, Nosakhare Isekhure, unfairly supported Oyegun. Oyegun's victory was upheld on March 18, 1992.[2]
On March 20, 2008, an election tribunal nullified the election of Oserheimen Osunbor People's Democratic Party,(PDP) and declared erstwhile labour leader Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress as the winner. The decision was based on several voting irregularities.[3]
Edo State consists of the following Local Government Areas:
The major first languages spoken in the state are Ebira, Edo, Esan and Okpamheri.[4] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini, Esan, Afemai, Emai and Ijaw.
The University of Benin, Benin City, the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, the Igbinedion University, Okada, and the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Auchi are among the institutions of higher learning located in Edo State.
Tourist attractions in Edo State include the Emotan statue in Benin City, Ise Lake and River Niger beach in Agenebode, Etsako-East; Ambrose Alli Square, Ekpoma, River Niger beaches at Ilushi, BFFM building at Ewu, College of Agriculture and Aqua Culture Technology, Agenebode, Okpekpe with its hills and scenes and the Somorika hills in Akoko Edo, where a government-run tourist center at Ososo is set among spectacular scenery.[5][6] The state produces crude oil.[7]
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