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) | Godwin Obaseki (APC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17,802 km2 (6,873 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 22nd of 36 |
| Population (1991 census) | |
| • Total | 2,159,848 |
| • Estimate (2006) | 3,218,332 |
| • 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:
Demographics
English is the official language of the state. The major tribal languages spoken in the state are Igarra, Edo, Etsako/Afemai, Esan and Okpamheri.[4] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Edo, Okpe, Esan, Afemai/Etsako, 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; Mike Akhigbe Square at fugar, 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 Usomege Hills at Apana-Uzairue, 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 admiral Mike Akhigbe, former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- late Pa Michael Imoudu, who was a foremost labour leader and founder of the Nigeria state,
- the late Chief Julius Momo Udochi the first Nigerian Ambassador to the United States,
- late Gen. George Agbazika Innih, who was one timeMilitary Governor of Bendel and Kwara States,
- Late Major- General Abdul Rahaman Mamudu Former Commander Nigerian Army Signals Corps and Military Administrator Gongola State,
- Sir Pa Hudson Arikalume Momodu, MBE, was the leader of the National Labour Congress Union for the Nigerian War Workers Department of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (he received the ADC hands medal from His Excellency on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II),
- Adams Oshiomhole, the past president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and now Governor of Edo State; he built Edo University of Iyamoh, Edo State.
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa, founder of Church of God Mission International.
- Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of the Believers Loveworld Nation
- Mike Oghiadome, former chief of staffs to the president of federal republic of Nigeria and also former deputy governor of Edo state.
- Pa Johnson Jimoh Iyere,
- Comrade Purpose OSamwonyi Iserhienrhien, Founder Smiles Africa International,
- Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi,(chairman/ceo Africa Independent Television),
- Senator Franca Afegbua, first Nigeria female senator,
- Late Chief Inu Umoru, chairman/CEO, Setraco Ltd,
- Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of Information and Culture,
- Commander Anthony Ikhazoboh, minister of sports and transport,
- Prince Fidelis Oyogoa (SNR) Acclaimed Former Tennis Coach at the Port Washington Academy who trained the likes of John McEnroe and Peter Fleming and Renowned Real Estate Developer (MAKU Holdings), Aret Adams GMD NNPC
- 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
- Late Archbishop John Edokpolo, founder of Edokpolo Grammar Schools and Political Activist
- Sir Victor Uwaifo, musician
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Foremost Pentecostal Church Leader
- Barr. S.Y. Eke, Federal Commissioner for Rehabilitation during Gowon's administration, former Chairman Oredo LG who built the famous Urhokpota hall.
- Late Sonny Okosun, musician
- Felix Idubor, artist
- Genesis Inibhunu, EWC Vice President
- 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
- Tony Ezekiel, entrepreneur
- A.Y. Eke, 2 times Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria, first as Minister of Education and later Minister of Information. And also Nigeria Ambassador to the US.
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.