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Edo
State
Flag
Nickname(s):  Heart Beat of Nigeria
Location of Edo State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.500°N 6.000°E / 6.500; 6.000Coordinates: 6°30′N 6°00′E / 6.500°N 6.000°E / 6.500; 6.000
Country	Nigeria
Date created	27 August 1991
Capital	Benin City
Government
• Governor (List)	Godwin Obaseki (APC)
• Deputy Governor	Philip Shuaibu
• Senators	Aisagbonriodion Urhoghide Ordia Clifford Francis Alimikhena
Area
• Total	17,802 km2 (6,873 sq mi)
Area rank	22nd of 36
Population (2006 census)
• Total	3,233,366[1]
• Rank	27th of 36
Demonym(s)	Edolite
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2007
• Total	$11.89 billion[2]
• Per capita	$3,623[2]
Time zone	UTC+01 (WAT)
ISO 3166 code	NG-ED
Website	edostate.gov.ng

Edo is a state in Nigeria. With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 8 million people. It is made up of 3 major ethnic groups; namely the Edo's In Benin, 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 enviable 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 (Binis), Esan and Afemai (Owan/Etsako) 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: Edos, Afemais, 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 57.54% while others Esan (17.14%) Afemai compirising of Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%). 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 (age groups) 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 (NPC, 2006), 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 (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.^[3] Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Edo, Okpe, Esan, Afemai/Etsako, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Igbanke, Emai, and Ijaw.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[4][5]
The state produces crude oil.^[6] and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry.

The Edojobs initiative was launched in 2016 as part of Governor Godwin Obaseki's promise to create 200,000 new jobs in the region.^[7]

Notable people

• Oba of Benin


• 
  Erhabor Emokpae, pioneer of modern arts in Nigeria


• Admiral Mike Akhigbe, former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


• 
  Dele Giwa, A renowned Nigerian journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine.


• Senator Albert Legogie, former deputy senate president in the defunct Third Republic and a pioneer member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


• Pa Michael Imoudu, who was a foremost labour leader and founder of the Nigeria state,


• Chief Julius Momo Udochi, the first Nigerian ambassador to the United States,


• Gen. George Agbazika Innih, who was one-time military governor of Bendel and Kwara State,


• Major-General Abdul Rahman Mamudu Former Commander Nigerian Army Signals Corps and military administrator Gongola State,


• 
  Adams Oshiomhole, the past president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and formal 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


• Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of Information and Culture,


• Commander Anthony Ikhazoboh, minister of sports and transport,


• Professor Ambrose Alli, former governor of the defunct Bendel State. He created the Bendel State university now named after him.


• 
  John Momoh, Nigerian Broadcast Journalist and CEO of Channels TV
  


• Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, former vice chancellor of University of Benin
  


• 
  Jacob U. Egharevba, a Bini historian and traditional chief


• Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of the midwest region of Nigeria and later Bendel state


• Chief Anthony Enahoro, prominent anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist and politician


• 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
  


• 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


• 
  Archbishop John Edokpolo, founder of Edokpolo Grammar Schools and Political Activist


• Sir Victor Uwaifo, musician


• Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Foremost Pentecostal Church Leader


• 
  Sonny Okosun, musician


• 
  Augustine Eguavoen, former professional Nigerian footballer and Coach


• 
  Felix Idubor, artist


• 
  Festus Ezeli, basketball player formerly with the Golden State Warriors
  


• 
  Modupe Ozolua, Body Enhancement and Reconstructive Surgery


• Chief Tony Anenih, chairman of board of trustees (PDP) Once Minister of Work.


• 
  Gabriel Igbinedion, foremost and international business mogul and bini high chief and owner of ITV


• 
  Raymond Dokpesi, owner of Africa largest private television network and politician


• 
  Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, film director, screen writer and producer


• Osaze Peter Odemwingie, professional footballer


• 
  Chris Aire-Iluobe, jeweler and timepiece designer


• 
  Francis Edo-Osagie, businessman


• 
  Tony Ezekiel, entrepreneur

References

External links

• Edo state Government Official Website