Bayelsa State
Encyclopedia
| Bayelsa State State nickname: Glory of all lands |
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| Governor (List) |
Timipre Sylva Timipre Sylva Timipre Sylva is the Governor of Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria.- Early life and background :Sylva was born in Brass, Bayelsa , and was educated there and in Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria... (PDP People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In... ) |
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| Date Created | 1 October 1996 | |
| Capital | Yenagoa Yenagoa Yenagoa is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Yenagoa in the south of the area at.The LGA has an area of 706 km² and a population of 353,344 at the 2006 census.... |
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| Area Area Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat... |
10,773 km² Ranked 27th |
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| Population Population A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals... 1991 Census 2005 est. |
Ranked 35th N/A 1,998,349 |
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| GDP (PPP) -Total -Per Capita |
2007 (estimate) $4.34 billion $2,484 |
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| ISO 3166-2 ISO 3166-2 ISO 3166-2 is part of the ISO 3166 standard published by the International Organization for Standardization , and defines codes for the names of the principal subdivisions of all countries coded in ISO 3166-1... |
NG-BY | |
Bayelsa State is a state in southern Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
in the core Niger Delta
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta, the delta of the Niger River in Nigeria, is a densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil...
region, between Delta State
Delta State
Delta State may refer to:*Delta State, a state in southern Nigeria.*Delta State , a Canadian animated television series.*Delta State University, a public university located in the U.S. state of Mississippi....
and Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
. Its capital is Yenagoa
Yenagoa
Yenagoa is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Yenagoa in the south of the area at.The LGA has an area of 706 km² and a population of 353,344 at the 2006 census....
. The language spoken here is Ijaw language and dialects of the Ijaw language such as Nembe, Atissa, Akassa, Ogbia, etc. However, like the rest of Nigeria, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is the official language. The state was formed in 1996 from part of Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
and thus, it is one of the newest states of the Nigerian federation.
Economy
Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gasNatural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
deposits in Nigeria. As a result, petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
production is extensive in the state. However, the majority of Bayelsans live in poverty. They are mainly rural dwellers due to its peculiar terrain and lack of adequate transportation, health, education or other infrastructure as a result of decades of neglect by the central governments, state governments, and petroleum prospecting companies. This has been a large problem in the state since its creation and successive state governments have not been able to address and repair the issue. The state, as a result, has an almost non-existent commerce. Successive state governments have, however, embarked on various industrial projects (even venturing into the oil and gas sector), and "poverty-alleviation" programs to reverse this situation, however some argue that there is nothing on ground to show for huge sums of money spent for development by successive and present state governments.
The local population engage in fishing on a subsistence and commercial level. The Bayelsa State government is otherwise the main employer of labour in the state.
Geography
Bayelsa has a riverine and estuarine setting. A lot of her communities are almost (and in some cases) completely surrounded by water, hence making these communities inaccessible by road.The state is home to the Edumanom Forest Reserve
Edumanom Forest Reserve
The Edumanom Forest Reserve is an area in the Niger Delta region of southeast Nigeria that is home to some of the last chimpanzees in Nigeria. It covers part of the old Nembe Kingdom, now divided into the Nembe and Brass local government areas, in Bayelsa State.The reserve is a Freshwater Swamp...
, in June 2008 the last known site for chimpanzees in the Niger Delta.
Other important cities besides Yenagoa include Akassa, Amassoma (the home of the Niger Delta University
Niger Delta University
Niger Delta University is located in Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State in Nigeria.It was established in 2000.It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.- External Links :**...
), Twon-Brass
Twon-Brass
Twon-Brass is a community on Brass island in the Nun River estuary of Southern Bayelsa State, Nigeria, in the Brass Local Government Area.The royal Chief is His Royal Majesty Alfred Diete-Spiff....
, Kaiama
Kaiama
Kaiama is a Local Government Area in Kwara State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Kaiama.It has an area of 6,971 km² and a population of 124,164 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 242....
, Nembe
Nembe
Nembe is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Nembe in the east of the area at.It has an area of 760 km² and a population of 130,931 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 562....
, Odi
ODI
ODI has various meanings, including:* Office for Disability Issues - UK public body* One Day International cricket match* Overseas Development Institute - UK think tank on international development....
, Ogbia
Ogbia
Ogbia is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ogbia in the south of the area at....
, Okpoma, Oporoma and Sagbama
Sagbama
Sagbama is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sagbama. Part of the area of the LGA lies within the Bayelsa National Forest.It has an area of 945 km² and a population of 187,146 at the 2006 census....
.
Notable natives
Notable sons of Bayelsa State include veteran novelist and poetPoet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, Gabriel Okara
Gabriel Okara
Gabriel Imomotimi Gbaingbain Okara is a Nigerian poet and novelist who was born in Bomoundi in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. In 1979, he was awarded the Commonwealth Poetry Prize.-Writing:His most famous poem is "Piano and Drums"...
; pioneering Nigerian journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and pre-independent freedom fighter, Ernest Ikoli
Ernest Ikoli
Ernest Sissei Ikoli was a Nigerian politician, nationalist and pioneering journalist. He was the president of the Nigerian Youth Movement and in 1942, represented Lagos in the legislative council.-Early life and career:...
; Nigerian Civil War
Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, 6 July 1967–15 January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra...
hero, Major Isaac Adaka Boro (Nigerian Army) and Canadian Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
gold medalist/ world wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
champion, Daniel Igali
Daniel Igali
Baraladei Daniel Igali is a Canadian freestyler wrestler who is an Olympic gold medalist. He lives in Surrey, British Columbia.-Wrestling career:...
; and National Team footballer and Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
& Under 20 coach, Samson Siasia
Samson Siasia
Samson Siasia is a former football striker from Nigeria and the former head coach of the Nigerian Men National football team from 2010 to 2011.-Club career:...
. Others include revolutionaries and martyrs of April 22, 1990 Captains Perebo Dakolo and Harley Empere (Nigerian Army); former Governor of Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff
Alfred Diete-Spiff
Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff was the first Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria after it was created from part of the old Eastern Region, Nigeria. He held office from May 1967 until July 1975 during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon....
(now king of the city of Town-Brass, Nigeria); and the current President of Nigeria
President of Nigeria
The President of Nigeria is the Head of State and head of the national executive. Officially styled President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The current President of Nigeria is Goodluck Jonathan.-History:On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained...
, Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria.He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the...
.
Due to massive overseas scholarship programs implemented by the old Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
in the 1970s and recent Bayelsa State governments, large numbers of Bayelsan professionals reside in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. This is part of the general brain-drain trend affecting many African communities.
Administrative divisions
Bayelsa is divided into eight Local Government Areas:- BrassBrass, NigeriaBrass is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Twon-Brass on the coast. It has a coastline of approximately 90 km on the Bight of Bonny. Much of the area of the LGA is occupied by the Edumanom National Forest....
- Ekeremor
- Kolokuma/OpokumaKolokuma/OpokumaKolokuma/Opokuma is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Kaiama. Much of the area of the LGA is occupied by the Bayelsa National Forest.It has an area of 361 km² and a population of 77,292 at the 2006 census....
- NembeNembeNembe is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Nembe in the east of the area at.It has an area of 760 km² and a population of 130,931 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 562....
- OgbiaOgbiaOgbia is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ogbia in the south of the area at....
- SagbamaSagbamaSagbama is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sagbama. Part of the area of the LGA lies within the Bayelsa National Forest.It has an area of 945 km² and a population of 187,146 at the 2006 census....
- Southern IjawSouthern IjawSouthern Ijaw is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Oporoma in the north of the area at. The area has a coastline of approximately 60 km on the Bight of Benin. It is the Largest Local Government In Nigeria . The people and their language are...
- YenagoaYenagoaYenagoa is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Yenagoa in the south of the area at.The LGA has an area of 706 km² and a population of 353,344 at the 2006 census....