Edo State


Edo State is a state in Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. The 2014 estimated population of the Edo state is 5 million people. 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.

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 August 27, 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, Esan and Afemai 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, Etsako, Owan, and Akoko Edo. 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, Ika speaking communities exist in Igbanke 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 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, 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

Local Government Areas

Edo State consists of eighteen Local Government Areas. They are:
Edo State House Of Assembly Division List 2013, consists of twenty-four divisions:


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. Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Edo, Okpe, Esan, Afemai/Etsako, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Igbanke, Emai.
Languages of Edo State listed by LGA:
LGALanguages
AgbazkoUneme
Akoko-EdoAduge; Akuku; Ebira; Enwan; Igwe; Ikpeshi; Ivbie North-Okpela-Arhe; Oko-Eni-Osayen; Okpamheri; Okpe; Oloma; Ososo; Sasaru; Ukaan; Uneme
Benin CityEdo
Esan CentralEsan
Esan North EastEsan
Esan South EastEsan
Esan WestEsan
EtsakoIvbie North-Okpela-Arhe; Uneme
Etsako CentralEtsako
Etsako EastEtsako
Etsako WestEtsako
IguebenEsan
Ikpoba-OkhaEdo
OredoEdo
OrhionmwonEdo; Ika;
Ovia North EastEdo; Izon
Ovia South WestEdo; Izon; Isekiri
Owan EastEmai-Iuleha-Ora; Ghotuo; Idesa; Ihievbe
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.
The state produces crude oil. and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry.

Healthcare

List of Edo State Medical zones and associated local government areas.
Medical ZoneLocal GovernmentName Of HospitalMedical ZoneLocal GovernmentName Of HospitalMedical ZoneLocal GovernmentName Of Hospital
AbuduOrhionmwonGeneral Hospital, AbuduBeninOredoCentral Hospital B/CityIgarraAkoko EdoGeneral Hospital, Igarra
AbuduOrhionmwonGeneral Hospital, IgbankeBeninOredoCot. Hospital ObayantorIgarraAkoko EdoGovernment Hospital, Ibillo
AbuduOrhionmwonGeneral Hospital, UronigbeBeninOredoStella Obansojo Maternal & Children HospistalIgarraAkoko EdoDist. Hospital, Uneme-Osu
AbuduOrhionmwonCot. Hospital ObenEkpomaEsan WestGeneral Hospital, EkpomaIguobazuwaOvia South WestGeneral Hospital. Iguobazuwa
AbuduOrhionmwonCot. Hospital EgbokorEkpomaEsan WestGeneral Hospital, IruekpenIguobazuwaOvia South WestGovernment Hospital Usen
AbuduUhunmwodeDist. Hospital, EgbaEkpomaEsan CentralDist. Hospital, UsugbenuIguobazuwaOvia North EastDist. Hospital, Ekiadolor
AfuzeOwan EastGeneral Hospital, AfuzeEkpomaEsan CentralDist. Hospital, EwuOssiomoLeprosy Clinic in All L.G.ASpecislist Hospital, Ossiomo
AfuzeOwan EastDist. Hospital, OtuoFugarEtsako EastGeneral Hospital, FugarUbiajaEsan South WestGeneral Hospital, Ubiaja
AfuzeOwan WestGeneral Hospital, Sabogida OraFugarEtsako EastGeneral Hospital, AgenebodeUbiajaEsan South WestDist. Hospital, Ewohimi
AfuzeOwan WestDist. Hospital, UzebbaFugarEtsako EastDist. Hospital, ApanaUbiajaIguebenGovernment Hospital, Igueben
AuchiEstako WestCentral. Hospital, AuchiFugarEtsako WestGovernment Hospital, AgbedeUromiEsan North EastCentral Hospital Uromi


Notable people