Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state in the South-Southgeopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2006 national population census, the state was ranked as the 24th most populous state (3,233,366) in Nigeria. The estimated state population is around 4,777,000 in 2022.[4][5] Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria.[6] The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry.[7][8] Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation.[9] Edo State borders Kogi State to the north for 133 km and across the Niger River for 81 km to the northeast, Anambra State to the east for about four km across the Niger River, Delta State to the southeast and south for 350 km (218 miles), and Ondo State to the west.[10]
The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, formally known as Bendel state from 1976.[20] It was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City.[21] 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.[22]
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.[23] The republic collapsed a day after the declaration as Nigerian troops overtook Benin City. Edo State was established on 27 August 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States.[24][25] The Edo people political organization is expressed in a three-tier age group system that cuts across kin groups and make age, rather than line-age affiliation, with criterion of authority.[20] Benin city itself is organized on the basis of age-grades similar to those of the villages as well as on the basis of wards and chiefs, both hereditary and non-hereditary, serving the Oba in specialised functions. The Oba is the focal point of the Benin political system and institution is based squarely on that of divine kingship.[26]
Geographyedit
Climateedit
Edo state has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate with yearly temperature of 28.78°C (83.8°F) and it is -0.68% lower than Nigeria's averages. Edo typically receives about 183.49 millimeters (7.22 inches) of precipitation and has 265.91 rainy days (72.85% of the time) annually and at an elevation of 239.16 meters (784.65 feet) above sea level.[27]
Peopleedit
With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 5 million.[28] It is made up of four major ethnic groups; namely Edo (Binis), Owan, Esan and Afemai (Etsako & 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 has a history of being one of the foremost destinations of Europeans during their exploration of Africa continent many centuries ago. Some of these flash points have remained enviable tourists' attraction sites for the state.[29] The people are known for having several Edo traditional food.
Demographicsedit
The main ethnic groups in Edo State are Édo, Etsako, Esan, Owan, and Akoko Edo.[21] Virtually all the groups trace their origin to Benin City, hence their dialects vary with their distance from Benin City. The Edo speaking people occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state and constitute 57.54% of the total population. Others are as follows: Esan (17.14%), Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%).[21] There are also Igbira speaking communities in Akoko Edo, Itsekiri communities in Ikpoba-Okha, and Ijaw Izons and Urhobos in Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas, especially in the borderlands. Also, Ika speaking communities exist in Igbanke (Ika) in Orhionmwon LGA.[30]
The Judiciary is the third arm of Government in the State, vested with the power to interpret the laws and resolve disputes in both civil and criminal matters in the State. The State Judiciary is headed by a Chief Judge. On 19 May 2023, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki swore in Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa as Acting Chief Judge of Edo State, following the retirement of Justice Joe Acha.[35]
Politicsedit
Governor Godwin Obaseki is the current governor of Edo State and was sworn into office on the 12th of November 2016.[36] His deputy is Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.[37] The Edo State House of Assembly is the legislative body.
Electoral Systemedit
The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas.[38]
The Etsako/Afemai people of Edo state have the highest population of Muslims. They live in Six local government areas within the state and their major occupation is farming.[40]
Christianity and Islam are the major religion Practiced in Edo State, although minority of the population are traditional worshippers.[44][45]
The Catholic Church comprises the Archdiocese of Benin City [1] (1884 as Upper Niger) with 84 parishes under Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze [2] (2011) and three suffragan dioceses of Auchi [3](2002) with 56 parishes under Bishop Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia [4](2002), Issele-Uku [5](1973) with 94 parishes under Bishop Michael Odogwu Elue [6](2003), and Uromi [7] (2005) with 18 parishes under Bishop Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun [8] (2014).
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, Obiemen lake in Agua Irrua , Igun Bronze Caster at Igun Street in Benin City, 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.[46][47]
The state produces crude oil,[48] and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry. The state has a cement factory at Okpella[49] and a Flour Mill at Ewu which is moribund.[49]
Human traffickingedit
The rate of Human Trafficking in Edo State is in this region of Nigeria.[50] Located in Nigeria's Southern region, Edo State accounts for the highest proportion of irregular migrants in Nigeria.[51] Young girls in Edo state are enticed with false promises to leave Nigeria and travel abroad for a better life, by the traffickers.[52] The traffickers in this state also use manipulation, diabolical oath and debt bondage to control their victims and force them into slavery, forced labour, sex trafficking, and organ sales.[53]
Mineral Resources In Edo Stateedit
The following are the Mineral Resources found in Edo State[54]
Dele Giwa, Nigerian journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine.[88][89]
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).[90]
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