Edo State

Edo State is a state in Southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. The 2014 estimated population of the Edo state is 5 million people.[4] It is made up of 4 major ethnic groups; namely the Bini, 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 tourists attractions for the state.

This article is about the subnational state of Nigeria. For Japan, see Edo period. For other uses, see Edo (disambiguation).
Edo
State
Flag
Nickname(s): 
Heart Beat of Nigeria
Location of Edo State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E
Country Nigeria
Date created27 August 1991
CapitalBenin City
Government
 • Governor
(List)		Godwin Obaseki (PDP)
 • Deputy GovernorPhilip Shaibu
 • Senators
Area
 • Total17,802 km2 (6,873 sq mi)
Area rank22nd of 36
Population
 (2006 census)
 • Total3,233,366[1]
 • Rank27th of 36
Demonym(s)Edos or Idar
GDP (PPP)
 • Year2007
 • Total$11.89 billion[2]
 • Per capita$3,623[2]
Time zoneUTC+01 (WAT)
postal code
300001
Dialing Code+234
ISO 3166 codeNG-ED
HDI (2018)0.622[3]
medium · 12th of 37
Websiteedostate.gov.ng

History

The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, formally known as 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 27 August 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 8 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 Binis, Etsako, 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 57.14%; while others are as follow: Esan (17.14%), 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, Igbo speaking communities exist in Igbanke(Ika) 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 August 1990 January 1992 (Military)
John E.K. Odigie Oyegun Governor January 1992 November 1993 SDP
Colonel Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka Administrator 9 December 1993 14 September 1994 (Military)
Colonel Bassey Asuquo Administrator 14 September 1994 22 August 1996 (Military)
Group Captain Baba Adamu Iyam Administrator 22 August 1996 7 August 1998 (Military)
Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem Administrator 7 August 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 2013
Godwin Obaseki Governor 12 November 2016 present APC then decamped to the PDP on 19 June 2020 to seek re-election[5] Reelcted 20 September 2020.[6]
Ososo Hills

Local Government Areas
See also: List of villages in Edo State

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

Edo State House Of Assembly (Fifth Assembly) Division List, 2013

Edo State House Of Assembly Division List 2013, consists of twenty-four (24) divisions:[7]

Languages

English is the official language of the state. The major tribal languages spoken in the state are Edo language, Igarra, Etsako/Afemai, Esan and Okpamheri.[8] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Edo, Okpe, Esan, Afemai/Etsako, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Igbanke, Emai.

Areal view of the ancient city of Benin

Languages of Edo State listed by LGA:[9]

LGALanguages
Akoko-EdoAduge; Akuku; Ebira; Enwan; Igwe; Ikpeshi; Ivbie North-Okpela-Arhe; Oko-Eni-Osayen; Okpamheri; Okpe; Oloma; Ososo; Sasaru; Ukaan; Uneme
Esan CentralEsan
Esan North EastEsan
Esan South EastEsan
Esan WestEsan
EtsakoIvbie North-Okpela-Arhe; Uneme
Etsako CentralEtsako
Etsako EastEtsako
Etsako WestEtsako
IguebenEsan
Ikpoba-OkhaEdo, Urhobo
Oredo Edo
OrhionmwonEdo; Ika;
Ovia North EastEdo
Ovia South WestEdo
Owan EastEmai-Iuleha-Ora; Ghotuo; Idesa; Ihievbe
Owan WestEmai - Iuleha, Ora
UhunmwondeEdo

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, Igun street, 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.[10][11] The state produces crude oil.[12] and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry.

Healthcare

List of Edo State Medical zones and associated local government areas.[7]

Medical Zone Local Government Name Of Hospital Medical Zone Local Government Name Of Hospital Medical Zone Local Government Name Of Hospital
Abudu Orhionmwon General Hospital, Abudu Benin Oredo Central Hospital B/City Igarra Akoko Edo General Hospital, Igarra
Abudu Orhionmwon General Hospital, Igbanke Benin Oredo Cot. Hospital Obayantor Igarra Akoko Edo Government Hospital, Ibillo
Abudu Orhionmwon General Hospital, Uronigbe Benin Oredo Stella Obansojo Maternal & Children Hospistal Igarra Akoko Edo Dist. Hospital, Uneme-Osu
Abudu Orhionmwon Cot. Hospital Oben Ekpoma Esan West General Hospital, Ekpoma Iguobazuwa Ovia South West General Hospital. Iguobazuwa
Abudu Orhionmwon Cot. Hospital Egbokor Ekpoma Esan West General Hospital, Iruekpen Iguobazuwa Ovia South West Government Hospital Usen
Abudu Uhunmwode Dist. Hospital, Egba Ekpoma Esan Central Dist. Hospital, Usugbenu Iguobazuwa Ovia North East Dist. Hospital, Ekiadolor
Afuze Owan East General Hospital, Afuze Ekpoma Esan Central Dist. Hospital, Ewu Ossiomo Leprosy Clinic in All L.G.A Specislist Hospital, Ossiomo
Afuze Owan East Dist. Hospital, Otuo Fugar Etsako East General Hospital, Fugar Ubiaja Esan South West General Hospital, Ubiaja
Afuze Owan West General Hospital, Sabogida Ora Fugar Etsako East General Hospital, Agenebode Ubiaja Esan South West Dist. Hospital, Ewohimi
Afuze Owan West Dist. Hospital, Uzebba Fugar Etsako East Dist. Hospital, Apana Ubiaja Igueben Government Hospital, Igueben
Auchi Estako West Central. Hospital, Auchi Fugar Etsako West Government Hospital, Agbede Uromi Esan North East Central Hospital Uromi

Notable people

References
  1. "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION". population.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  2. "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Canback Dangel. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  3. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  4. User, Super. "Overview of Edo State". Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  5. "BREAKING: EDO 2020: Governor Obaseki formally joins PDP". www.vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  6. "Nigerian opposition governor wins re-election". news.yahoo.com. AFP. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  7. "Edo State OpenData – …open government". Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  8. Seibert, Uwe (24 April 2000). "Languages of Edo State". University of Iowa. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  9. "Nigeria". Ethnologue (22 ed.). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  10. "Edo State". NigeriaGalleria. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  11. "70 Exciting Tourist Spots". OnlineNigeria. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  12. Ogbeifun, Greg U (April 2006). "Importance of a Sea Outlet for Edo State". Retrieved 10 November 2007. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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