History/Culture – South South Forum USA

SOUTH-SOUTH (BRACED) OF NIGERIA: HISTORY AND CULTURE

BAYELSA STATE – "THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS"

Bayelsa state was created out of Rivers State on October 1, 1996 with Headquarters in Yenagoa. Its name was derived from the first few letters of the names of the major local government areas from which it was formed – Brass LGA (BALGA), Yenagoa (YELGA) and Sagbama (SALGA). They speak predominantly the Ijaw language. They are rich in culture and tradition.

RIVERS STATE – "TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION"

Rivers State, named after the many rivers that border its territory, was part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate from 1885 till 1893 when it became part of the Niger Coast Protectorate. In 1900, the region was merged with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of Southern Nigeria.

Map of Rivers State Showing LGAs

Rivers State is one of the six States in the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria with Headquarters in Port Harcourt. Rivers State with a total area of about 11,077 km² and a population over five million prides itself as the treasure base of the nation. Below is the map of Rivers State showing LGAs. Many ethnic/linguistic nationalities that make up Rivers State include (in alphabetical order): Andoni, Ekpeye, Eleme, Ibani, Ijaw, Ikwerre, Kalabari, Nkoro, Ogoni, Okirika, Opobo, etc.

AKWA IBOM STATE – "LAND OF PROMISE"

Akwa Ibom state, with a population of over five million people. The state was created in 1987 by Ibrahim Babangida from the former Cross River State and is currently the highest oil- and gas-producing state in the country. The state’s capital is Uyo, with over 500,000 inhabitants. Akwa Ibom state is a home of rich culture, salivating cuisines, beautiful sites and scenes that make the people of the state famous for hospitality

Cross River State – "The People’s Paradise"

Cross Rivers State was first created on 27 May 1967 from the former Eastern Region as South Eastern State. Its name was changed to Cross River State in the 1976 with headquarters in Calabar by the then General Murtala Mohammed regime. The Cross River, after which the state is named, rises from the Cameroon Mountains and flows southward, forming much of the state’s western border; it is an important commercial artery in the rainy season. The state is bounded by the states of Benue on the north, Ebonyi on the west, and Akwa Ibom on the southwest.

EDO STATE – "HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION"

Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States with Headquarters in Benin. The major first languages spoken in the state are Edo, Etsako, Esan and Owan, Akoko Edo,Okpameri language and Ijaw. Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini, Esan, Afemai, Emai, and Ijaw.

Delta State – "Big Heart Of The Nation

Delta State was carved out of the former Bendel State on August 27, 1991. The state was created following agitations for the creation of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province: the Urhobos, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ijaw (Ezon) and Ukwuani (later joined Anioma).