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Ebonyi State

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Ebonyi State (Igbo: Ȯra Ebonyi) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north and northeast by Benue State, Enugu State to the west, Cross River State to the east and southeast, and Abia State to the southwest. Named for the Abonyi (Aboine) River—a large part of which is in the state's south—Ebonyi State was formed from parts of Abia and Enugu state in 1996 and has its capital in Abakaliki.

Ebonyi
State
Flag of Ebonyi State
Flag
Seal of Ebonyi State
Seal
Nicknames: 
Salt of the Nation
Igbo: Mbà ùmẹ́ ànị̀
Location of Ebonyi State in Nigeria
Location of Ebonyi State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°15′N 8°05′E / 6.250°N 8.083°E / 6.250; 8.083
Country Nigeria
Date created1 October 1996
CapitalAbakaliki
Government
 • BodyGovernment of Ebonyi State
 • GovernorFrancis Nwifuru (APC)
 • Deputy GovernorPatricia Obila (APC)
 • Legislature SpeakerEbonyi State House of Assembly Moses Odunwa
 • SenatorsC: Joseph Ogba (PDP)
N: Sam Egwu (PDP)
S: Michael Ama Nnachi (PDP)
 • RepresentativesList
Area
 • Total
6,400 km2 (2,500 sq mi)
 • Rank33rd of 36
Population
 (2006 Census)
 • Total
2,176,947
 • Estimate 
(2022)
3,242,500[1]
 • Rank29 of 36
 • Density340/km2 (880/sq mi)
DemonymEbonyian
GDP (PPP)
 • Year2023
 • Total$12.2 billion[2]
 • Per capita$3,634[2]
Time zoneUTC+01 (WAT)
postal code
840001
Dialing Code+234
ISO 3166 codeNG-EB
HDI (2022)0.706[3]
high · 2nd of 37
LanguageIgbo
English
Websitehttp://www.ebonyistate.gov.ng/

One of the smallest states of Nigeria, Ebonyi is the 33rd largest in area and 29th most populous with an estimated population of nearly 2.9 million as of 2016.[4] Geographically, the state is divided between the Cross–Niger transition forests in the far south and the drier Guinean forest–savanna mosaic in the rest of the state. The other important geographical features are the Cross River and its tributary, the River Aloma, which flow along Ebonyi's southeastern and eastern borders, respectively; while fellow Cross River tributaries, the Abonyi (Aboine), Asu, and Eze Aku rivers run through the state's interior. There are other smaller rivers like Ichelle and igbe which also form boundaries between Benue and Ebonyi States to the West.

After independence in 1960, the area of now-Ebonyi was a part of the post-independence Eastern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the East Central State. Less than two months afterwards, the former Eastern Region attempted to secede in the three-year long Nigerian Civil War with Ebonyi as a part of the secessionist state of Biafra. At the war's end and the reunification of Nigeria, the East Central State was reformed until 1976 when the state's north became Anambra State and the south became Imo State. Fifteen years afterwards, Anambra and Imo states were divided with their eastern parts becoming Enugu State and Abia State, respectively. It was not until 1996, when Enugu State's east and Abia's northeast were split off and joined to form Ebonyi State.[5]

Economically, Ebonyi State is based around agriculture, mainly of yams, rice, oil palm, and cassava crops. A key minor industry is mining due to lead, zinc, and limestone deposits around Abakaliki, and locally hand-made baskets of various sizes at Ntezi.[6] Ebonyi has the joint-twentieth highest Human Development Index in the country and numerous institutions of tertiary education.[7]

Geography

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It was one of the six states created in 1996 by the then federal military government of General Sani Abacha.[8] Bounded by the states of Benue to the north for about 96 km (partly across the Ichelle and Igbe Rivers), Cross River to the east for 198 km (123 miles, partly across the River Aloma and Cross River), Abia to the south for 70 km (43 miles), and Enugu to the west. The State of Ebonyi was created from parts of both Enugu State and Abia State, which were the Abakaliki division from Enugu State and the Afikpo division from Abia State respectively. It has three senatorial zones, the Abakaliki division make up Ebonyi North and Ebonyi Central senatorial zones, while the Afikpo, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo division make up the Ebonyi South senatorial zone. Ebonyi has thirteen local government areas as well as local development centres created by the state government. It is home to eight prominent higher institutions of learning: Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (EBSU); Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo; Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana; Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu; Federal College of Education (Technical), Isu; Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo (EBSCOEI); College of Health Sciences, Ezzamgbo; School of Nursing and Midwifery Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo; School of Nursing and Midwifery Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki[9] and Ebonyi State College of Health and Midwifery (EBSCONMU), Uburu.[10] In 2021, three other Universities were introduced by Governor David Umahi, Aeronautical Engineering and that of Technology in Ezza and Izzi Local Government Areas (LGA), and King David University of Medical Science, Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.[11]

Climate

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Ebonyi State has a humid tropical climate, with one rainy season and one dry season lasting for 8 and 4 months, respectively. The temperature typically ranges from 20 to 38 degrees Celsius during the dry season and from 16 to 28 degrees Celsius during the rainy season. Harmattan winds are common between December and January. The average annual temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, and the average annual humidity is 50-60%. The region receives an average annual precipitation of 2500mm.[12][13]

Demographics

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There are several Igbo dialects spoken in Ebonyi State which includes Edda, Ehugbo (Afikpo), Izzi-Ezza-Mgbo-Ikwo dialect cluster, Oshiri, Unwara, Akpoha, Okposi, Amasiri, Onicha; and a mixed Igbo and Kogi dialects spoken in Amuda-Okpolo, Ntezi-Okpoto and Effium,[14] which is also similar to Kukele in Cross River,[citation needed] and Utonkon in Benue States respectively.[15]

Politics

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The State government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's house of assembly. The Capital city of the state is Abakaliki.[16]

Electoral system

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The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas.[16]

Administration

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In 1999, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu was elected as the first governor of the state under the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was succeeded by Martin Elechi who was elected in 2007 and successfully ran for re-election in 2011, under the same PDP. Gov Martin Elechi was succeeded by the current Governor, Dave Umahi, who was elected in the March 2015 election and re-elected in March 2019 for a second term in office.[17]

Natural resources

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Ebonyi is primarily an agricultural region. It is a leading producer of rice, yam, potatoes, maize, beans, and cassava, and have a notable basket market in Nigeria.[18] Rice is predominantly cultivated in Ikwo, yams in Izzi, with other regions in the state such as Amasiri, Edda and Ezillo making notable contributions, Effium and Ezzamgo taking the top spots in cassava production, and basket production in Ntezi.[18] Ebonyi has several solid mineral resources, including lead, crude oil, and natural gas, but few large-scale commercial mining mines. The state government has, however, given some incentives to investors in the agro-allied sector to encourage production but capacity remains largely under utilized.[19] Ebonyi is called "the salt of the nation" for its huge salt deposit at the Okposi and Uburu Salt Lakes.[18] There are also some tourist locations within the state prominent ones include Abakaliki Green Lake, Uburu Salt Lake, Unwana and Ikwo Beaches.[20]

Infrastructures

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Ebonyi has the Ebonyi State International Airport, built on the Abakaliki end of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Expressway. Ebonyi has 23 flyovers, the highest in South East Nigeria. Ebonyi state is known for its trademark concrete roads and multicolored infrastructure, began by former governor Dave Umahi.

Local government areas

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See also: List of villages in Ebonyi State

Ebonyi State consists of thirteen (13) Local Government Areas. They are:

Languages

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Igbo language is the primary language and there is Korring language spoken by the Orring people of Ebonyi state who are also found in their numbers in northern Cross River state who are known as Ukelle people, and the Ufia and the Ogballa people found in Ado and Oju LGAs of Benue state.[21] There are primarily eleven Igbo dialects spoken in Ebonyi states. They are: Afikpo, Mgbo, Izzi, Ezaa, Edda, Ikwo, Kukele, Legbo, ohofia-agba, Mbembe, Okposi, Uburu. Languages of Ebonyi State listed by LGA:[22]

LGA Languages
Abakaliki Igbo [Izzi]
Afikpo North Igbo [Afikpo]
Afikpo South Igbo [Afikpo]
Ebonyi Igbo [Izii]
Ezza North Igbo [ Ezza ], Orring[21]
Ezza South Igbo [Ezza]
Ikwo Igbo [ Ikwo ],
Ishielu Igbo [Igbo-esa], Orring
Ivo Igbo [Ishiagu]
Izzi Igbo [Izii]
Ohaukwu Igbo [Ezza], Orring, Igbo [ Mgbolizhia ]
Ohaozara Igbo [Ohaozara]
Onicha Igbo [Ohaozara]

Religion

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Mary Immaculate Conception, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State are predominantly Christians.

Church

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The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki (1973) with 174 parishes is under Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu (2021). [1] The Anglican Province of Enugu includes the Dioceses of Abakaliki led by Bishop Monday Nkwoagu, Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki Afikpo led by Bishop Paul Udogu (2010), Anglican Diocese of Afikpo Ikwo led by Bishop Kenneth C. Ifemene, Anglican Diocese of Ikwo and Ngbo led by Bishop Godwin A Awoke (2018) Anglican Diocese of Ngbo.

Education

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Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

A list of tertiary institutions in Ebonyi state includes:

Notable people

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Main article: List of people from Ebonyi State

See also

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  • List of people from Ebonyi State
  • 2011 clashes in Ebonyi State
  • "Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu".
  • Ebonyi State Executive Council

References

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  1. ^ "Ebonyi State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "TelluBase—Nigeria Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)" (PDF). Tellusant. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Population 2006-2016". National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  5. ^ "This is how the 36 states were created". Pulse.ng. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Abakaliki". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Human Development Indices". Global Data Lab. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  8. ^ Ibenegbu, George (5 April 2017). "Creation of states in Nigeria and their creators". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu". FECAI, Ishiagu. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  10. ^ "EBSCONMU: Our History". www.ebsconmu.edu.ng. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  11. ^ EduCeleb (28 April 2021). "Ebonyi to establish two more universities". EduCeleb. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Ebonyi State Showing the Study Area (Abakaliki) Source: Cartography/GIS... | Download Scientific Diagram". Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Climate Ebonyi: Temperature, climate graph, Climate table for Ebonyi - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Homepage". Orring Historical Society. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  15. ^ David, Edwin. "CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF UFIA PEOPLE".
  16. ^ a b Oguntola, Tunde (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  17. ^ "2019 Election: Gov Umahi wins governorship re-election in Ebonyi". Pulse Nigeria. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  18. ^ a b c "Ebonyi Online - About Ebonyi State". www.ebonyionline.com.
  19. ^ "Ministry of Agriculture And Natural Resources, Ebonyi State Government". www.ebonyistate.gov.ng. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Ebonyi State". www.ebonyistate.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Home - Orring Historical Society". Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Nigeria". Ethnologue (22 ed.). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana – |". Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  24. ^ Sustainable agricultural development in a changing environment : proceedings of the 32nd annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, held at Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, 13-16 September 1998. Agricultural Society of Nigeria. Annual Conference (32nd : 1998 : Ishiagu, Nigeria. Agricultural Society of Nigeria. 1998. OCLC 80017251.
  25. ^ "FCA ISHIAGU". www.fcaishiagu.edu.ng. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Ebonyi State University | Institution Information | Research Project Database | Grantee Research Project | ORD | US EPA". cfpub.epa.gov. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike – Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State". Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  28. ^ "EBSCONMU: Ebonyi State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Uburu". www.ebsconmu.edu.ng. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  29. ^ "King David College of Medicine, Uburu, Ebonyi State". kdums.edu.ng.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ "Ebonyi State College of Education ~ Knowledge is Light". ebscoe.edu.ng. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Pius Anyim Pius: Still Impacting His Milieu At 60, By James Ume". 19 February 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  32. ^ "How I married Zik aged 26 — Wife". Vanguard News. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Andy Chukwu Unveils Street To Skills". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Profile) | Afikpo Online". www.afikpoonline.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  35. ^ "Why Ebonyi ex-gov, Martin Elechi, defected to APC". Vanguard News. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam: Advocate of better society". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  37. ^ "How tortured 13-yr-old boy got scholarship to varsity level". Vanguard News. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  38. ^ "Umahi unfair to PDP on reasons for leaving party – Amb. Frank Ogbuewu". The Sun Nigeria. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Onu expresses hope, says Nigeria will overcome security challenges soon". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 1 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Nd'Igbo's salvation does not lie in APC, says Onwe". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Six things you probably didn't know about new FUTO female VC | The Nation". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  42. ^ "Patoranking helps UNICEF 'reimagine' the world with Bob Marley's One Love". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Nigerian gospel singer Sinach releases new single 'Greatest Lord'". 15 February 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Watch: Tekno Releases Raunchy Music Video For "Puttin"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Why I leave PDP join Buhari APC - David Umahi". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 30 June 2021.

[1]

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ebonyi State.
  1. ^ "Ebonyi State Government ::|:: SALT OF THE NATION". www.ebonyistate.gov.ng. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
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