Edo State
Encyclopedia
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
.
s.
(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.
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.
, Edo
, Esan
and Okpamheri. Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini
, Esan
, Afemai
, Emai
and Ijaw.
, Benin City, the Ambrose Alli University
, Ekpoma, the Igbinedion University
, Okada, and the Benson Idahosa University
, Benin City, are among the institutions of higher learning located in Edo State.
, 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.
The state produces crude oil.
States of Nigeria
Nigeria is currently divided into 36 states and Abuja, the federal capital territory. The states are further divided into 774 Local Government Areas....
in central 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...
. Its capital is Benin City
Benin City
Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...
. It is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State
Kogi State
Kogi state is found in the central region of Nigeria. It is popularly called the Confluence State because the confluence of River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria....
, in the south by 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 in the west by Ondo State
Ondo State
Ondo State, Nigeria was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was split off in 1996. Akure is the state capital.-Government and society:...
.
History
Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta StateDelta 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....
s.
Governors
The 1992 gubernatorial election, pitting John Odigie OyegunJohn Odigie Oyegun
John Odigie Oyegun was the Executive Governor of Edo State between 1992 and 1993, during the aborted Nigerian Third Republic.-Background:...
(the SDP
Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria, popularly known as SDP, was a political party created to encompass the ideals of a center left political organization. It was one of the products of a democracy project by former President Ibrahim Babangida to have two detribalized political parties, one a...
candidate) against Lucky Igbinedion
Lucky Igbinedion
Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was the governor of Edo State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party .-Background:Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was born on 13 May 1957....
(the NRC
National Republican Convention
The National Republican Convention was a Nigerian political party established by the government of General Ibrahim Babangida and ultimately disbanded by the incoming military regime of General Sani Abacha in 1993.-Alignment:...
candidate) was annulled on February 4 of that year by the electoral tribunal. Among Igbinedion's claims were that the Oba of Benin
Oba of Benin
The Oba of Benin, or Omo N'Oba, is both the oba of the Edo people and the pretender to the defunct title of the king of the Benin Kingdom...
and one of his chiefs, Nosakhare Isekhure, unfairly supported Oyegun. Oyegun's victory was upheld on March 18, 1992.
On March 20, 2008, an election tribunal nullified the election of Oserheimen Osunbor People's Democratic Party,(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...
and declared erstwhile labour leader Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
Adams Oshiomhole
Adams Aliyu Eric Oshiomhole is a labor leader who ran for Governor of Edo State in Nigeria in April 2007 on the Action Congress platform. The election was flawed...
of the Action Congress
Action Congress
The Action Congress of Nigeria , formerly known as Action Congress , is a classical liberal Nigerian political party formed via the merger of the Alliance for Democracy, the Justice Party, the Advance Congress of Democrats, and several other minor political parties in September 2006. The party...
as the winner. The decision was based on several voting irregularities.
Local Government Areas
Edo State consists of the following Local Government Areas:- Akoko EdoAkoko EdoAkoko Edo is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Igarra.It has an area of 1,371 km² and a population of 262,110 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 312...
- EgorEgorEgor is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Uselu.It has an area of 93 km² and a population of 339,899 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 300....
- Esan North-East
- Esan CentralEsan CentralEsan Central is a Local Government Areaof Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Irrua.It has an area of 253 km² and a population of 105,310 at the 2006 census.Esan central includes towns such as Uneah [Ibore, Ugbalo & Atuagbo], Ugbegun, Ewu, Opoji,Uwesan and several others...
- Esan South-EastEsan South-EastEsan South East is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ubiaja.It has an area of 1,306 km² and a population of 167,721 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 311....
- Esan WestEsan WestEsan West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ekpoma.It has an area of 502 km² and a population of 125,842 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 310....
- Etsako CentralEtsako CentralEtsako Central is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Fugar.It has an area of 660 km² and a population of 94,575 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 312....
- Etsako EastEtsako EastEtsako East is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Agenebode. Other towns in this local governments are Okpella, Okpekpe, Imiegba, Ebelle....
- Etsako WestEtsako WestEtsako West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Auchi. Etsako West is made up of four clans; Uzairue, Auchi, South Ibie, Awain clan and Agbede...
- IguebenIguebenIgueben is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The headquarters are in the town of Igueben. Igueben has an area of 380 km² and a population of 69,639 according to the 2006 census...
- Ikpoba OkhaIkpoba OkhaIkpoba Okha is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Idogbo.It has an area of 862 km² and a population of 371,106 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 300....
- OredoOredoOredo is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in Benin City.It has an area of 249 km² and a population of 374,671 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 300....
- OrhionmwonOrhionmwonOrhionmwon is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Abudu.It has an area of 2,382 km² and a population of 182,717 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 301....
- Ovia North-EastOvia North-EastOvia North-East is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Okada.It has an area of 2,301 km² and a population of 153,849 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 302....
- Ovia South-WestOvia South-WestOvia South-West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Iguobazuwa.It has an area of 2,803 km² and a population of 135,356 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 302....
- Owan EastOwan EastOwan East is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Afuze.It has an area of 1,240 km² and a population of 200,385 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 313....
- Owan WestOwan WestOwan West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sabongida Ora.It has an area of 732 km² and a population of 97,388 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 313....
- UhunmwondeUhunmwondeUhunmwonde is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ehor.It has an area of 2,033 km² and a population of 120,813 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 301....
Demographics
The major first languages spoken in the state are EbiraEbira language
Ebira is a Nupoid language spoken by over a million people in the Kwara State, Nigeria....
, Edo
Edo language
Edo is a Volta–Niger language spoken primarily in Edo State, Nigeria. It was and remains the primary language of the Edo people of Igodomigodo. The Igodomigodo kingdom was renamed Edo by Oba Eweka, after which the Edos refer to themselves as Oviedo 'child of Edo'...
, Esan
Esan language
Esan is a tonal Edoid language of Nigeria. Dictionaries and grammar texts of the Esan language are being produced, which may help the Esan appreciate their written language. There is a high level of illiteracy among the Esan, and a large number of dialects, including Ẹkpoma, Ewohimi, Ẹkpọn, and...
and Okpamheri. Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini
Bini
Bini may refer to:* Bini people, a cultural group in Nigeria* A slang term for the BMW MINI car* Bini, Burkina Faso, a village in Burkina Faso-People:*Aldo Bini , an Italian road bicycle racer...
, Esan
Esan
Esan is one of the major ethnic groups in Edo State, South-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria.-Name:It is believed by many historians that the name 'Esan' owes its origin to Bini...
, Afemai
Afemai
Afenmai or Afemai is an ethnic language of the group of people living in the northern part of Edo State south geopolitical zone of Nigeria....
, Emai
Emai people
The Emai people are a group of people that inhabit a sizable part of Afenmai land in the northwest Edo state of Nigeria. They are a people of Edo extraction currently scattered around the Owan River. Emai territory is bounded on the south by Erah, on the west by Ora, on the east by Ihievbe and on...
and Ijaw.
Education
The University of BeninUniversity of Benin (Nigeria)
The University of Benin - also known as UNIBEN - is one of the country's major universities.-History:The university was founded in 1970 by the military government of Samuel Ogbemudia.It teaches in a broad range of subjects, including a medical school...
, Benin City, the Ambrose Alli University
Ambrose Alli University
Ambrose Alli University is a university in Nigeria established in 1981. It was established by the then governor of Bendel State , Professor Ambrose Folorunso Alli...
, Ekpoma, the Igbinedion University
Igbinedion University
Igbinedion University Okada is a private university in Nigeria. Located at Okada Wonderland, a town beside Benin City, Edo state. The university was founded by Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a millionaire, philanthropist and local leader....
, Okada, and the Benson Idahosa University
Benson Idahosa University
The Benson Idahosa University is a private, non-profit, Christian university in Benin City, Nigeria.Benson Idahosa University is named after Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a Charismatic Pentecostal minister from Benin City, Nigeria, and reflects his evangelical beliefs. The president of Benson Idahosa...
, Benin City, are among the institutions of higher learning located in Edo State.
Economy
Tourist attractions in Edo State include the Emotan statue in Benin CityBenin City
Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...
, Ise Lake and River Niger beach in Agenebode
Agenebode
Agenebode is a serene, water-side town located by the banks of the Niger River in Edo State,South South geo political zone of [Nigeria]. It is the headquarters of Etsako-East local council of Edo State and the traditional capital of Weppa Wanno Kingdom....
, Etsako-East; Ambrose Alli Square, Ekpoma
Ekpoma
Ekpoma is a larger town in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the Esan West Local Government Area.The town has an official Post Office....
, River Niger beaches at Ilushi, BFFM building at Ewu
Ewu
Ewu is a Nigerian city situated in Esan Central Local Governnment area in Edo State of Nigeria. The city, an Esan tribe, lies on 200 feet in the plateau region of central Edo State, 100 kilometres north of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria. Ewu city comprises the villages and towns of...
, College of Agriculture and Aqua Culture Technology, Agenebode, Okpekpe
Okpekpe
Okpekpe Okpekpe is a town in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It is located about 25 km North East of Auchi. It has a population of 3155 inhabitants...
with its hills and scenes and the Somorika hills in Akoko Edo
Akoko Edo
Akoko Edo is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Igarra.It has an area of 1,371 km² and a population of 262,110 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 312...
, where a government-run tourist center at Ososo
Ososo
Ososo is a scenic town of streams and rocks in the undulating Somorika hills.The town is located in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, in the north of Edo State, Nigeria. With an average altitude of 1236 feet above sea level, it enjoys a very temperate climate similar to that of Jos, Plateau State...
is set among spectacular scenery.
The state produces crude oil.