About Ebonyi State basic facts you may need to know about Ebonyi State. Historical and present-day verities of the State are incorporated herein.
Fact About Ebonyi State
News About Ebonyi State
Ebony State is located in the southeastern part of Nigeria. It was created on October 1, 1996, from parts of both Abia and Enugu states. Ebonyi is nicknamed the Salt of the Nation, Mbà ùmẹ́ ànị̀ in the Igbo language. This is for its great salt deposit at the Uburu and Okposi Salt Lakes.
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Ebonyi was one of the six states that were created in 1996 by the federal military government led by General Sani Abacha. An indigene of Ebonyi is called an Eboyian.
It is primarily populated and inhabited by the Igbos. The State capital is Abakaliki which is the largest city in the State. Other major towns in the State include Afikpo, Onueke, Unwana, Onicha, Edda, etc.
Different varieties of Igbo dialects are spoken in Ebonyi State, these include Edda, Izi-Ezza-Mgbo-Ikwo dialect cluster, Ehugbo, Unwara, Okposi, Akpoha, Onicha, and Eburu.
According to the 2006 census, Ebonyi State has a total population of 2,176,947 and ranks 34 of 36 in Nigeria. Ebonyi has a total of three senatorial zones which are the north, south, and central senatorial zones, and thirteen local government areas.
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The first democratically elected Governor of Ebonyi State was Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu. He was elected under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Dr. Sam Egwu was succeeded by Martin Elechi in 2017. Governor Martin Elechi is deputized by Eric Kelechi Igwe.
Martin Elechi contested for re-election and was re-elected into office in 2011 still under the PDP. The present Governor, Dave Umahi succeeded Martin Elechi in March 2015.
Ebonyi State is primarily an agricultural region. It is leading in the production of rice, potatoes, yam, beans, maize, and cassava in the country. Yam and rice are cultivated predominantly are Edda, a region in the state.
The State has several solid mineral resources which include lead, natural gas, and crude oil. It also has a few large-scale commercial mining mines. However, there was a donation of several incentives to investors by the state government to encourage production in the agro-allied sector.
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Higher Institutions of Learning in Ebonyi State
The Higher Institutions of Learning in Ebonyi State are listed below:
- Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (EBSU)
- Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI);
- Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana
- Savannah Institute of Technology, Ishieke Junction, Abakaliki;
- Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu
- Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo (EBSCOEI)
- College of Health Sciences, Ezzamgbo.
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Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State
The State has a total of (13) Local Government Areas as follows:
- Abakaliki
- Afikpo North
- Afikpo South (Edda)
- Ebonyi
- Ezza North
- Ezza South
- Ikwo
- Ishielu
- Ivo
- Izzi
- Ohaozara
- Ohaukuw
- Onicha
