Edo State

Edo
State
Nickname(s): Heart Beat of Nigeria

Location of Edo State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.500°N 6.000°E / 6.500; 6.000Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.500°N 6.000°E / 6.500; 6.000
Country  Nigeria
Date created 27 August 1991
Capital Benin City
Government
 • Governor
(List)		 Godwin Obaseki (APC)
 • Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu
 • Senators
Area
 • Total 17,802 km2 (6,873 sq mi)
Area rank 22nd of 36
Population (2006 census)
 • Total 3,218,332
 • Rank 27th of 36
 • Density 180/km2 (470/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Edolite
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 is a state in Nigeria. With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 4 million. It is made up of four major ethnic groups; namely Edo (Binis), Esan, Owan and etsako. However the State has a high presence of residents from across the country and the world because of its cosmopolitan tendencies. Benin City the capital has a history of being one of the foremost destinations of Europeans during their exploration of Africa continent many centuries ago. Some of the flash points have remained enviable tourists’ attraction for the state.

History

The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, being known as the Bendel state from 1976. It was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City. It was renamed a province in 1966, and in 1967 when the other provinces were split up into several states, it remained territorially intact, becoming a state.

During the Nigerian Civil War, the Biafran forces invaded the new Mid-Western state, en route to Lagos, in an attempt to force a quick end to the war. While under Biafran occupation, the state was declared as the “Republic of Benin” as Nigerian forces were to retake the region. The republic collapsed a day after the declaration as Nigerian troops overtook Benin City. In 1976 it lost Ughelli to the new Rivers state and was renamed Bendel. Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States.

People

With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 4 million. It is made up of three major ethnic groups; namely Edo (Binis), Esan and Afemai (Owan/Etsako) with Akoko Edo. However the State has a high presence of residents from across the country and the world because of its cosmopolitan tendencies. Benin City the capital has a history of being one of the foremost destinations of Europeans during their exploration of Africa continent many centuries ago. Some of the flash points have  remained enviable tourists’ attraction for the state.

Demographics

The main ethnic groups in Edo State are: Edos, Afemais, Esans, Owans and Akoko Edos. Virtually all the groups traced their origin to Benin City hence the dialects of the groups vary with their distance from Benin City. The Bini speaking people who occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state constitute 57.54% while others Esan (17.14%) Afemai compirising of Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%). However, the Igbira speaking communities exist in Akoko Edo as well as Urhobos, Izons, Itsekiris communities in Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas especially in the borderlands. Also, Ika speaking communities exist in Igbanke in Orhionmwon LGA.

A lot of communities and indeed the ruling dynasties in all the clans trace their roots to the ancient kingdom of Benin. Cultural similarities are in the areas of religious worships, folk-lore, dances, festivals, traditional modes of dressing, arts and craft. The political pattern and behaviour are based on a situation where both the monarchial and republican ideas flourished in an integrated manner. The colourful traditional festivals in the state manifest its rich cultural heritage. Critical among these are the Igue and Ekaba festivals done among the Binis and manhood initiation (age groups) by the Etsako people. With an estimated population of 3,218, 332 made up of 1,640,461 males and 1, 577, 871 females and a growth rate of 2.7% per annum (NPC, 2006), as well as a total landmass of 19,187 square kilometers, the state has a population density of about 168 persons per square kilometers.

Governors

Name Title Took office Left office Party Notes
Colonel John Ewerekumoh Yeri Governor Aug 1990 Jan 1992 (Military)
John E.K. Odigie Oyegun Governor Jan 1992 Nov 1993 SDP
Colonel Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka Administrator 9 Dec 1993 14 Sep 1994 (Military)
Colonel Bassey Asuquo Administrator 14 Sep 1994 22 Aug 1996 (Military)
Group Captain Baba Adamu Iyam Administrator 22 Aug 1996 7 Aug 1998 (Military)
Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem Administrator 7 Aug 1998 29 May 1999 (Military)
Chief Lucky Igbinedion Governor 29 May 1999 29 May 2007 PDP
Professor Oserheimen Osunbor Governor 29 May 2007 12 November 2008 PDP Removed by court judgment invalidating his election
Comrade Adams A. Oshiomhole Governor 12 November 2008 12 November 2016 AC which later merged with some other political parties to become APC (All Progressive Congress) in 2016
Godwin Obaseki Governor 12 November 2016 present APC

Local Government Areas

Edo State consists of eighteen (18) Local Government Areas. They are:

Demographics

English is the official language of the state. The major tribal languages spoken in the state are Igarra, Edo, Etsako/Afemai, Esan and Okpamheri.[2] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Edo, Okpe, Esan, Afemai/Etsako, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Igbanke, Emai and Ijaw.

Economy

Tourist attractions in Edo State include the Emotan Statue in Benin City, Ise Lake and River Niger Beach in Agenebode, Etsako-East; Mike Akhigbe Square at fugar, 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 Usomege Hills at Apana-Uzairue, Somorika hills in Akoko Edo, where a government-run tourist center at Ososo is set among spectacular scenery.[3][4] The state produces crude oil.[5] and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry.

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Canback Dangel. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  2. ↑ Seibert, Uwe (24 April 2000). "Languages of Edo State". University of Iowa. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
  3. ↑ "Edo State". NigeriaGalleria. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  4. ↑ "70 Exciting Tourist Spots". OnlineNigeria. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  5. ↑ Ogbeifun, Greg U (April 2006). "Importance of a Sea Outlet for Edo State". Retrieved 10 November 2007.
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