Edo State

Edo State
—  State  —
Nickname(s): Heart Beat of Nigeria
Location of Edo State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.5°N 6°E / 6.5; 6Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.5°N 6°E / 6.5; 6
Country	Nigeria
Date created	27 August 1991
Capital	Benin City
Government
– Governor (List)	Adams Oshiomhole (ACN)
– Senators
– Representatives
Area
– Total	17,802 km2 (6,873.4 sq mi)
Area rank	22nd of 36
Population (1991 census)
– Total	2,159,848
– Estimate (2005)	3,497,502
– Rank	27th of 36
– Density	121.3/km2 (314.2/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
– Year	2007
– Total	$11.89 billion[1]
– Per capita	$3,623[1]
Time zone	WAT (UTC+01)
ISO 3166 code	NG-ED
Website	edostate.gov.ng

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.

History

Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States.

Governors

The 1992 gubernatorial election, pitting John Odigie Oyegun (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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Local Government Areas

Edo State consists of the following Local Government Areas:

• Akoko Edo
• Egor
• Esan North-East
• Esan Central
• Esan South-East
• Esan West
• Etsako Central
• Etsako East
• Etsako West
• Igueben
• Ikpoba Okha
• Oredo
• Orhionmwon
• Ovia North-East
• Ovia South-West
• Owan East
• Owan West
• Uhunmwonde

Demographics

The major first languages spoken in the state are Ebira, Edo, Esan and Okpamheri.^[4] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini, Esan, Afemai, Emai and Ijaw.

Education

The University of Benin, 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.

Economy

Tourist attractions in Edo State include the Emotan statue in Benin City, 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.^[5][6] The state produces crude oil.^[7]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Canback Dangel. http://www.cgidd.com. Retrieved 2008-08-20. 
2. ^ Osaghae, Eghosa E (1998). The Crippled Giant: Nigeria Since Independence. Indiana University Press. p. 236. ISBN 0253334101. 
3. ^ "Governor's Election Nullified". Africa Research Bulletin; Political, Social, and Cultural series (Blackwell) 45 (3): 17419C–17420B. 2008. doi:10.1111/j.1467-825X.2008.01568.x. 
4. ^ Seibert, Uwe (2000-04-24). "Languages of Edo State". University of Iowa. http://www.uiowa.edu/intlinet/unijos/nigonnet/nlp/edo.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-10. 
5. ^ "Edo State". NigeriaGalleria. http://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/States_Nigeria/Edo_State.html. Retrieved 2009-12-28. 
6. ^ "70 Exciting Tourist Spots". OnlineNigeria. http://www.onlinenigeria.com/tours/tour2.asp. Retrieved 2009-12-28. 
7. ^ Ogbeifun, Greg U (April 2006). Importance of a Sea Outlet for Edo State. http://www.edo-nation.net/2006okpa6.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-10. 

External links

• Edo state Government Official Website