History of Ebonyi State Nigeria

Ebonyi state is one of the six States formed by General Abacha Sanni Government. This State is located at the Intersection of Enugu, Afikpo nd Ogoja Roads. Abakaliki was the headquarters of the old Ogoja Province which is now part of the neighboring cross River State, before it became capital of Ebonyi State in 1996.

History of Ebonyi State

Ebonyi State which came into being in 1st October 1996 was carved out from the old Abakaliki, splitting of Enugu State, old Afikpo and Abia State areas. It is located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria and has mostly Igbo Speaking inhabitants. Abakaliki is the capital and largest city in Ebonyi State. This State was formed during regime of General Sanni  Abacha.  The Theme of the state is “Salt of the Nation”. The State is surrounded by different State, such as; Benue state, Enugu state, Imo, Abia, and River State

READ ALSO>>>History of Ekiti State<<<

Ethnic Groups in Ebonyi State

Ebonyi State has majority of Igbo Speaking people while a few from other neighbouring state. This state is mixed, first five languages spoken are; Izi- Ezaa–Ikwo-Mgbo,  Kukele, Legbo, Mbembe and Oring.

Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State

  1. Abakaliki
  2. Afikpo North
  3. Afikpo South
  4. Ezza North
  5. Ezza South
  6. Ebonyi
  7. Ikwo
  8. Ishileu
  9. Ivo
  10. Izzi
  11. Ohaozara
  12. Ohaukwu
  13. Onicha

Ebonyi State Map

map of ebonyi state

Ebonyi State Population

Ebonyi State has been recorded in National census to have  a total of 4,339,136 people. Areas – 5,935 sq

Wards in Ebonyi State

Local Government AreasWards
AbakalikiAbakpa, Amachi (Ndebo), Amachi (Ndegu), Amagu/Enyieba, Amgau Unuhu, Azuii Udene, Azuiyiokwu Layout, Azumili/Azugwu, Edda, Izzi Unuhu, Ndiagu, Okpoitumo Ndebor, Okpoitumo Ndiegu, Timber Shed
Afikpo  North

 

Amata Akpoha, Amogu Akpoha, Ezeke Amasiri, Ibii/Oziza Afikpo,

Itim Afikpo, Nkpoghoro Afikpo, Ohaisu Afikpo ‘a’, Ohaisu Afikpo’b’, Poperi Amasiri, Ugwuegu Afikpo, Uwana Afikpo i, Uwana Afikpo ii

Afikpo  South

 

Amaeke, Amangwu Edda, Amaoso, Amato, Amigbo Etiti Edda, Amiri, Ebunwana, Ndioke Ekoli Edda, Nguzu, Oso, Owutu
Ezza NorthAmuda/Amawulu, Ekka, Inyere, Ndieguazu Umuoghara, Nkomoro, Ogboji, Okposi Umuoghara, Omege Umuezeokoha, Oriuzor, Oshiegbe Umuezeokoha, Umuezeoka
Ezza South

 

Amaeka, Amaezewe, Amagu /Nsokara,  Amana, Amudo /Okoffia, Amuzu, Echare, Ezzama, Ikwuator/Idembia, Onueke, Umunwagu/idembia
OnichaAbaomege, Agbabor Isu, Ebia-Oshiri,Amanator Isu, Enuagu Onicha, Isi Onicha

Isinkwo Ukamu,  Obeagu Isu, Ogudunkwor Oshiri, Okuzu Ukawu, Ugwu Oshiri, Umudomi Onicha

IzziAgbaja Anuyanwuigwe, Agbaja Offia Onwe,Agbaja (Mogo), Ezza Inyimagu Igwele Oha, Ezza Inyimagu Iziogo, Ezza Inyimagu Igbuhu, Ezza Inyimagu Ndiagu, Igbeaguiii, Igbeagu Ni Ettah, Igbeagu Nduogbu, Mgbalaku Inyimagu I, Mgbalaku Inyimagu ii,Ndieze Inyimagu 11 NiaboIshi inyimabu Mgbabaluzor
IkwoAma Inyima, Echi Alike, Eka Awoke, Ekpanwudele, Ekpelu, Enyibichiri, Etam, Igbudu i, Igbudu ii, Inyimagu i, Inyimagu ii, Ndiagu Amagu i, Ndiagu Amagu ii, Ndiagu Echara i, Ndiagu Echara ii,  Ndufu Amagu, Ndufu Amagu i, Ndufu Alike, Ndufu Echara, Noye Alike
IshieluAgba, Amaezu, Azuinyaba ‘a’, Azuinyaba ‘b’, Ezillo i, Ezillo ii, Ezzagu (Nkomor), Ezzagu(Ogboji), Iyionu, Nkalagu, Nkalaha, Ntezi, Obeagu, Ohoifa, Okpoto, Umuhuali
IvoAkaeze Ishiagu, Akaeze ukwu, Amagu, Amonye, Ihenta Ogidi, Iyioji Akaeze, Ndiokoro Ukwu, Ngwogwo, Obinagu, Okue, Umobo
Ohaozara

 

Amaechi okposi, Enena ezeraku, Mgbom Okposi, Obiozara, Okposi Achara, Okposi Okwu, Ugbogologo/Ugwulangwu, Uhuotaru Ugwulangwu, Umichima, Umunaga, Umuobuna
Ohaukwu

 

Effium ii, Effium i, Ezzamgbo, Ishi Ngbo i, Ishi Ngbo ii, Ngbo, Okposhi i, Okposhi ii, Umu Ogudu Akpu i, Umu Ogudu Akpu ii, Umu Ogudu Oshia, Umuagara/Amechi, Wigbeke i, Wigbeke ii, Wigbeke iii

Major Cities in Ebonyi State

  • Edda Egbebu @ Afikpo South Local government area
  • Onueke situated at Ezza North and South Local government area
  • Nkalagu situated at Ishielu Local Government area
  • Onicha Local government area

READ ALSO>>>History of Kano State<<<

  • Ishiagu local government area
  • Abakaliki Local government area
  • Unwana situated in the southern part of Ebonyi State
  • Okposi situated at Ohazara Local government

Economy  of Ebonyi State

Ebonyi Rice Plantaion
Rice Farm

The inhabitants of Ebonyi State are majorly traders and farmers, just few are into Fishing as a source of income. The main crops are been sold in the markets are such as; Abakalili rice, yam, palm produce, coca, maize, groundnut, Plantains,  Banana, beans, cassava, melon, sugar cane, fruits and vegetables.

Tourism Interesting places to visit in Ebonyi State

  • Amanchare Cave
  • Libolo valley Edda at Afikpo South
  • Oferekpe Water fall at Ikwo
  • Ofogbara Rocks
  • Abakaliki Green Lake
  • Federal Teaching Hospital Abakiliki
  • Salve Route Market
  • National Gallery of Art, Abakaliki
  • Ezza , JuJu Hill
  • Abakaliki Golf course
  • Fati Abubakar Park
  • Unwana and Ndibe Sand Beaches
  • Ogbode Conical Mound

Cultural practice in Ebonyi State

Ebonyi dance step

Ebonyi State is naturally known for their Dance Steps, which had made them win many Awards both locally and International. They are rich in cultural Heritage as seen in their lifestyle, dressing, and Traditional rite and dancing. Dancing styles includes; Nkwa Nwite of Afikpo, Ojianyalare of Amasiri.

Federal Constitutes in Ebonyi State

  • Abakaliki/Izzi
  • Afikpo  North/ Afikpo South
  • Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu
  • Ezza North? Ishieu
  • Ezza  South/ Ikwo
  • Ivo/ Ohaozarra/Onicha

The Government of Ebonyi State

Ebonyi State Government has three Arms of Government:

  • The Executive Arm
  • The Legislative Arm
  • The Judicial Arm

The Executive Arm
This Arm is headed by the State governor assisted by the commissioners who the governor appoints to head different departments of the State. DAVE UMAHI is the present governor of Ebonyi State.
The Legislative Arm
This is the State house of Assembly in Cross River State. it is made up of 24 members voted by the people of the 24 constituencies in the State. HON. FRANCIS OGBONNAYA NWIFURU is the present speaker of the State House Assembly.
The Judicial Arm
This Arm of the State is headed by the chief judge of the State to ensure justice in all areas.  Justice ALOY NWEKE NWANKWO is the present chief Judge of the State.

Zones in Ebonyi State

There are three main senatorial Zones in Ebonyi state, they are:

  • Ebonyi South senatorial zone/ district, comprises of five local government areas grouped under it
  • Ebonyi Central senatorial zone/district comprises of four local government areas grouped under it.
  • Ebonyi North senatorial zones/ district in Ebonyi State comprises of four local Government areas grouped under it.
Senatorial ZonesLocal government Areas
Ebonyi South

 

Onicha, Ivo, Afikpo North, Ohaozara,

Afikpo South

Ebonyi  CentralEzza  North, Ezza  south, Ikwo, Ishielu
Ebonyi NorthAbakaliki , Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaukwu

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *