Edo is a state in Nigeria. With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 8 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 the African continent many centuries ago. Some of the flash points have remained enviable tourists' attractions for the state.
Video Edo 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. Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States.
Maps Edo State
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 Ijaw Izons, Urhobos, 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
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. 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. The state produces crude oil. and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry.
Notable people
- Oba of Benin
- Late Erhabor Emokpae, pioneer of modern arts in Nigeria
- Late admiral Mike Akhigbe, former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Late Dele Giwa, A renowned Nigerian journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine.
- Late Senator Albert Legogie, former deputy senate president in the defunct Third Republic and a pioneer member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
- late Pa Michael Imoudu, who was a foremost labour leader and founder of the Nigeria state,
- the late Chief Julius Momo Udochi, the first Nigerian ambassador to the United States,
- late Gen. George Agbazika Innih, who was one-time military governor of Bendel and Kwara State,
- Late Major-General Abdul Rahman Mamudu Former Commander Nigerian Army Signals Corps and military administrator Gongola State,
- Adams Oshiomhole, the past president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and formal governor of Edo State; he built Edo University of Iyamoh, Edo State.
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa, founder of Church of God Mission International.
- Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of the Believers Loveworld Nation
- Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of Information and Culture,
- Commander Anthony Ikhazoboh, minister of sports and transport,
- Late Professor Ambrose Alli, former governor of the defunct Bendel State. He created the Bendel State university now named after him.
- Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, former vice chancellor of University of Benin
- Jacob U. Egharevba, a Bini historian and traditional chief
- Late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of the midwest region of Nigeria and later Bendel state
- Late Chief Anthony Enahoro, prominent anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist and politician
- Late Professor Festus Iyayi, novelist and first African to win the Commonwealth Writers Prize
- Odia Ofeimun, poet and former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors
- Late Dr Abel Guobadia, educator and former Nigerian ambassador to the Republic of Korea, former Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- General Godwin Abbe, former Nigerian Minister for Interior and Defence
- Late Archbishop John Edokpolo, founder of Edokpolo Grammar Schools and Political Activist
- Sir Victor Uwaifo, musician
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Foremost Pentecostal Church Leader
- Late Sonny Okosun, musician
- Felix Idubor, artist
- Genesis Inibhunu, EWC Vice President
- Festus Ezeli, basketball player with the Golden State Warriors
- Modupe Ozolua, Body Enhancement and Reconstructive Surgery
- Chief Tony Anenih, chairman of board of trustees (PDP) Once Minister of Work.
- Gabriel Igbinedion, foremost and international business mogul and bini high chief and owner of ITV
- Raymond Dokpesi, owner of Africa largest private television network and politician
- Francis Edo-Osagie, businessman
- Tony Ezekiel, entrepreneur
References
External links
- Edo state Government Official Website
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments