Would you like to know about the south-south states in Nigeria? This article would enlighten you. Relax as we take you through.
Nigeria is a big and unique country filled with people from various ethnic backgrounds. It is made up of six geopolitical zones, namely: the North Central (NC), North East (NE), North West (NW), South West (SW), South East (SE), and South-South (SS). Each of these zones is made up of states that make up the 36 states in Nigeria. In this article, we are going to be focusing on one of the geopolitical zone known as the South-South (SS). The south-south geopolitical zone is made up of six states, namely: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. By the end of this article, we should have successfully spoken about each of the states.
South-South States In Nigeria
Akwa Ibom
The first state on our list and one of the states that makes up the south-south states in Nigeria is Akwa Ibom State. It is a state filled with more than five million people and it was created in 1987 under the regime of General Babaginda. More so, the state was created out of Cross River and also shares a border with the state as well. In Akwa Ibom, you will find out that it is the state producing the highest amount of oil in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the state has Uyo as its capital.
Also, Akwa Ibom is a state filled with history and lots of cultural heritage, no wonder the slogan of the state is “Land of Promise”. In the history of Akwa Ibom, there was no centralized system of government amongst the people until the arrival of the British colonial masters in 1904. Although the British colonial masters weren’t the first to step foot in Akwa Ibom, but rather, it was the Scottish missionaries in 1848, through Calabar and later Ibono in 1887.
Akwa Ibom is made up of ethnic groups like Ibibio, Anaang, Oron, Eket, and Obolo. Aside from English, these groups speak other languages like Ibibio, Annang, Ekid, Oro, and Obolo. Also, the state is made up of 31 Local Government Areas, namely: Abak, Eastern Obolo, Eket, Esit-Eket, Essien Udim, Etim-Ekpo, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo-Asutan, Ibiono-Ibom, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Itu, Mbo, Mkpat-Enin, Nsit-Atai, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Obot-Akara, Okobo, Onna, Oron, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Udung-Uko, Uruan, Urue-Offong/Oruko, and Uyo.
In conclusion, this is a place filled with departments, agencies, universities for standard education, and tourist centers like Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Ibeno Beach, Akwa Ibom e-library, and others. The affairs of the state are controlled by the Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, and Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo.
Bayelsa
Bayelsa is another unique state that makes up the south-south states in Nigeria and it lies between Delta and Rivers state, geographically. The state was created on the 1st of October, 1996, under the military regime of General Sanni Abacha. Bayelsa state has Yenagoa as its capital and the state is made up of eight Local Government Areas, namely: Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma Opokuma, Nembe Abureni, Ogbia Abureni, Sagbama Biseni, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa.
The people of Bayelsa are well known to be fishermen and they fish for subsistent and commercial purposes. Also, Bayelsa is one of the biggest states in Nigeria that produce oil and gas and the slogan of the state is “Glory of all lands”.
More so, there are notable people who hail from Bayelsa state, like Timipre Sylva, Gabriel Okara, Goodluck Jonathan, Timi Dakolo, Patience Torlowei, and others. The affairs of the state are governed by Governor Douye Diri and Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Cross River
The third state on our list of south-south states in Nigeria, is the Cross River State. The state was created on the 27th of May, 1967, from the Eastern state under the regime of General Yakubu Gowon and the state got its name from the cross-river which runs through the state.
The state has Calabar as its capital and it is also filled with people from different ethnic groups, namely: Efik, the Ejagham, Yakurr, Bahumono, Bette, Yala, Igede, Ukelle, and the Bekwarra and these ethnic groups speak Efik, Bekwarra, and Ejagham. Also, the state has 18 Local Government Areas, namely: Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuy, Bekwarra, Bakassi, Biase, Boki, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubr, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakuur, and Yala.
It is also a state filled with educational institutions, agencies, and tourist sites like Agbokim waterfalls, Tinapa Resort, and festivals like The Cross River State Christmas Festival, The Cross River State Carnival, The Calabar Boat Regata Bekwarra, Obudu, Obanliku New yam festival and many more. The affairs of the state are governed by Governor Benedict Ayade and Deputy Governor Ivara Esu.
Delta State
This is a big state that is well known for its oil and agricultural capabilities and it was established on the 27th of October, 1991, from the former Bendel State. The state has Asaba as its capital and is filled with people from different ethnic groups, such as Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Ika, Ukwani, Igbo, Urhobo, and Olukumi.
Delta State is also made up of 26 Local Government Areas, namely: Aniocha North, Aniocha, Burutu, Bomadi, Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Ika North East, Ika South, Isoko North, Isoko South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Okpe, Patani Izon, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Ukwuani, Uvwie, Warri North, Warri South, Warri, and South West.
It is well known to have natural resources like oil and gas, industrial clay, silica, lignite, kaolin, and tar sand. But, that’s not all, the state also has academic institutions and it is one of the states in Nigeria with the highest number of tertiary institutions. Institutions like Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta State University, Delta State Polytechnics, The Film, and Broadcast Academy, College of Education, and many more. We can say, that it is one of a kind and it has tourist sites like the Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery, The Mungo Park House, Demas Nwoko Edifice, and The Araya Bible Site.
The affairs of the state are governed by Governor Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi and Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro.
Edo
Edo is a major state in the south-south states in Nigeria and it has Benin city as its capital. The state was created on the 27th of August, 1991, when the Bendel state was split into Delta and Edo provinces. The state is very enriched in their cultural heritage and tradition.
So much can be said about this state, starting with the fact that it has eight million inhabitants and they are grouped into four major groups, namely Edo (Binis), Esan, Afemai (Owan/Etsako), and Akoko Edo. More so, the state has a total of 18 local government Areas, namely: 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-East, Ovia South-West, Owan East, Owan West, and Uhunmwonde. Aside from English, other languages spoken are Edo language, Igarra, Etsako/Afemai, Esan, and Okpamheri.
This state is blessed with tourist sites like Oba’s kingdom, Emotan Statue, Okomu National Park, Benin City National Museum, and more. The state also makes room for education and there are various established tertiary institutions.
The affairs of the state are governed by Governor Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. There is also notable personnel that comes from this state, like Ighalo, Chris Oyakhilome, Tony Momoh, Dele Giwa, Philip Shaibu, and others.
Rivers.
The last state on our list of south-south states in Nigeria, is Rivers state. It is one of the states that makes up the south-south geopolitical zones and it was created in 1967, after its split from the Eastern region.
The state is also one of the oil-producing states in Nigeria and it is made up of 23 local government Areas, namely: Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Okrika, Ogu, Eleme, Tai, Gokana, Khana, Oyigbo, Opobo–Nkoro, Andoni, Bonny, Degema, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Abua–Odual, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba, Emohua, Ikwerre, Etche, and Omuma.
The state has also made room for education and it can boast of its Federal University of Port Harcourt. Also, the state has investments in energy, agriculture, oil and gas, health care, and transportation. Rivers state is filled with tourist sites, Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, Statue of King Jaja, Finima Beach, Cultural Centre, and others.
The affairs of the state are governed by Governor Nyesom Wike and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Banigo.
Feel free to share your thoughts about the south-south states in Nigeria.