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Ebonyi State

Coordinates: 6°15′N 8°05′E / 6.250°N 8.083°E / 6.250; 8.083
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Ebonyi
Nicknames: 
Salt of the Nation
Igbo: Mbà ùmẹ́ ànị̀
Location of Ebonyi State in Nigeria
Location of Ebonyi State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°15′N 8°05′E / 6.250°N 8.083°E / 6.250; 8.083
Country Nigeria
Date created1 October 1996
CapitalAbakaliki
Government
 • Governor
(List)
David Nweze Umahi (PDP)
 • Deputy GovernorEric Kelechi Igwe
 • Senators
Area
 • Total5,533 km2 (2,136 sq mi)
 • Rank33rd of 36
Population
 (2006 Census)
 • Total2,176,947
 • Rank34 of 36
 • Density390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
DemonymsEbonyian
GDP (PPP)
 • Year2007
 • Total$2.73 billion[1]
 • Per capita$1,232[1]
Time zoneUTC+01 (WAT)
ISO 3166 codeNG-EB

Ebonyi is a state in southeastern Nigeria. It is inhabited and populated primarily by the Igbo.[2] Its capital and largest city is Abakaliki. Other major towns include Afikpo, Onueke, Edda, Onicha, etc. It was one of the six states created in 1996 by the then federal military government. The State of Ebonyi was created from parts of both Enugu State and Abia State, which in turn were initially constituents of the old Anambra and Imo States respectively. It has three senatorial zones (north, south & central), thirteen local government areas as well as local development centres created by the state government. It is home to six Higher institutions of learning: Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (EBSU); Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI); Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo (EBSCOEI); Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana; College of Health Sciences, Ezzamgbo and Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu.[3]

Demographics

There are several Igbo dialects spoken in Ebonyi State, the most prominent being the Izi-Ezza-Mgbo-Ikwo dialect cluster, Afikpo, Edda, Okposi, Onicha and Uburu.

Administration

In 1999, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu was elected as the first governor of the state under the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was succeeded by Martin Elechi who was elected in 2007 and successfully ran for re-election in 2011, under the same PDP. Gov Martin Elechi was succeeded by the current Governor, Dave Umahi, who was elected in the March 2015 election.

Natural Resources

Ebonyi is primarily an agricultural region. It is a leading producer of rice, yam, potatoes, maize, beans, and cassava in Nigeria.[4] Rice and yams are predominantly cultivated in Edda, a region within the state.[4] Ebonyi has several solid mineral resources, including lead, crude oil, and natural gas, but few large-scale commercial mining|mines. The state government has, however, given several incentives to investors in the agro-allied sector to encourage production.[citation needed] Ebonyi is called "the salt of the nation" for its huge salt deposit at the Okposi and Uburu Salt Lakes.[4] Ebonyi equally ranks high amongst states with high deposits of Limestone.

Local Government Areas

Ebonyi State consists of thirteen (13) Local Government Areas. They are:

See also

  • 2011 clashes in Ebonyi State
  • "Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu".
  • Ebonyi State Executive Council

References