Edo (state)
| Edo | |
|---|---|
| State | |
| Nickname(s): Heart Beat of Nigeria | |
 Location of Edo State in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.500°N 6.000°ECoordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.500°N 6.000°E | |
| Country |
 Nigeria |
| Date created | 27 August 1991 |
| Capital | Benin City |
| Government | |
| • Governor (List) | Adams Oshiomhole (APC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17,802 km2 (6,873 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 22nd of 36 |
| Population (1991 census) | |
| • Total | 2,159,848 |
| • Rank | 27th of 36 |
| • Density | 120/km2 (310/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Edolite |
| 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 is an inland state in 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.
Governors
The 1992 gubernatorial election, pitting John Odigie Oyegun (the SDP candidate) against Lucky Igbinedion (the NRC candidate) was annulled on 4 February 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 18 March 1992.[2]
On 20 March 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]
Oshiomhole was voted for a second term in 2012.
Local Government Areas
Edo State consists of eighteen (18) Local Government Areas. They are:
- Akoko-Edo
- Egor
- Esan Central
- Esan North-East
- Esan South-East
- Esan West
- Etsako Central
- Etsako East
- Etsako West
- Igueben
- Ikpoba-Okha
- Oredo
- Orhionmwon
- Ovia North-West
- Ovia North-East
- Ovia South-West
- Owan East
- Owan West
- Uhunmwonde
Demographics
English is the official language of the state. The major tribal languages spoken in the state are Igarra, Edo, Esan and Okpamheri.[4] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Edo, Okpe, Esan, Afemai, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Igbanke, Emai and Ijaw.
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]
Notable people
- Oba of Benin
- Late Professor Ambrose Alli, Former governor of the defunct Bendel State. He created the Bendel State University now named after him.
- Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, former Vice Chancellor of University of Benin
- Jacob U. Egharevba, a Bini historian and traditional chief
- Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of the Midwest region of Nigeria and later Bendel state
- Late Chief Anthony Enahoro, prominent anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist and politician
- Late Professor Festus Iyayi, novelist and first African to win the Commonwealth Writers Prize
- Odia Ofeimun, poet and former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors
- Late Dr Abel Guobadia, educator and former Nigerian ambassador to the Republic of Korea, former Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- General Godwin Abbe, former Nigerian Minister for Interior and Defence
- Sir Victor Uwaifo, musician
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Foremost Pentecostal Church Leader
- Late Sonny Okosun, musician
- Felix Idubor, artist
- Festus Ezeli, basketball player with the Golden State Warriors
- Modupe Ozolua, Body Enhancement and Reconstructive Surgery
- Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman Board of trustee (PDP) Once Minister of Work.
- Gabriel Igbinedion, foremost and international business mogul and bini high chief
- Raymond Dokpesi, owner of Africa largest private television network and politician
- Francis Edo-Osagie, businessman
References
- 1 2 "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Canback Dangel. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
- ↑ Osaghae, Eghosa E (1998). The Crippled Giant: Nigeria Since Independence. Indiana University Press. p. 236. ISBN 0-253-33410-1.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Seibert, Uwe (24 April 2000). "Languages of Edo State". University of Iowa. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
- ↑ "Edo State". NigeriaGalleria. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
- ↑ "70 Exciting Tourist Spots". OnlineNigeria. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
- ↑ Ogbeifun, Greg U (April 2006). "Importance of a Sea Outlet for Edo State". Retrieved 10 November 2007.