Table of Contents
1 ) BACKGROUND
Ebonyi State was created out of Old Enugu and Abia State on October 1st 1996. Prior to the creation, the people that made up this geopolitical area had been categorized into into various units.
From the old Ogoja province, people were moved to the East central State during the state creation of the Yakubu Gowon Administration in 1976. In 1977 during another another state creation exercise of the late Murtala Mohammed administration, the people of old A bakaliki province were balkanized into old Imo and Anambra state.
In 1991 during the Babangida administration, the people that now make up Ebonyi state were carved out into Enugu and Abia States where they remained until 1st October 1996, when they were brought together again to their home land called Ebonyi State… SALT OF THE NATION
Back to top2 ) POPULATION
Projection from the 2006 population census put Ebonyi State at about 1.8 million people. This population is spread in the State’s 13 Local Government Areas. The people of Ebonyi State are industrious and hospitable. Since Agriculture is the main stay of the economy of the State, they are essentially farmers.
Back to top3 ) GOEGRAPHY
Ebonyi State has a land mass of approximately 5,9932 sq/km and lies approximately 7.30N longitudes 5.400E and 6.450. It is bordered in the east by cross river state and in the North by Benue State in the west by Enugu state and in the South by Abia State. The vegetation of the state is mixture of savannah and semi-tropical forest. The state is endowed with numerous deposits of natural resources and solid minerals which at present are largely unexploited.
Back to top4 ) CULTURE
Ebonyi state has a rich cultural heritage which reflects in the peoples’ mode of life. There are diverse colourful and loveable masquerades that entertain people. There are many acrobatic dance troops that exhibits the rich cultural legacy of the Ebonyians. More like their other Igbo brothers, the art of kola presentation is part of Ebonyi’s rich culture.
Back to top5 ) LANGUAGE
In Ebonyi state the Igbo language predominates (central Igbo). However, there are several dialectical differences as you move from one ethnic group to another. For example, the following ethnic groups have their own distinct dialects; Izzi, Ezza, Afikpo, Ngbo, Ikwo, Edda and Akaeze. Though the several ethnic groups make up Ebonyi state, yet the state does not think or see it citizensin terms of place of origin, ethnicity, clan, religion, social status or political affiliations but as citizens of Ebonyi state bound together in the same ship of destiny.
Back to top6 ) OCCUPATION
The main occupation of Ebonyi people is farming. The people of Ebonyi state are reputed to be hardworking and industrious farmers. The state is a force in food crop production in the country. Most neighboring state visit Ebonyi state foe their food stuff supply especially the locally produced rice, marketed all over the country. Apart from rice, the following food crops are produced in large quantity; yam, maize, cocoyam, cassava, vegetables (fruit and leaf), beans and groundnuts. The tree crops are also fare well in Ebonyi state. These tree crops are Oil palm, coconut, Datepalm, Achi, Akparata, etc. Livestock production also thrives well in the state. Apart from farming, mining is another mainstay of the state’s economy. The state is bountifully endowed with solid minerals resources like limestone, salt, granites and laterite. A lot of people are engaged in the production of these of minerals. Quarrying is a common scene in Ebonyi state.
Back to top7 ) TOURISM AND HOTELS
The hospitality industry in ebonyi state is still developing apart from the obvious service of lodging and catering, most of the hotels offer services ranging from secretariat to laundry and efficient telephone/satellite services.
Back to top8 ) MAJOR TOURIST CENTRES IN EBONYI STATE
- Abakaliki Green Lake
- Abakal
- Abakaliki Juju Hills
- Ndibe And Ozziza Beaches
- Nkpurukem Cave in Afikpo North
- Edda Rolling Hills in Afikpo South
- Okposi And Uburu Salt Lake
9 ) MAJOR HOTELS IN EBONYI STATE
- Eagle Royal Hotel, Abakaliki
- Ebonyi Hotel, Abakaliki
- EBSU Guest Hose, Abakaliki
- Syno Guest House, Abakaliki
- Benko Hotel, Abakaliki
- Lobito Hotel, Abakaliki
- Denco Hotel, Abakaliki
- Dilson Hotel, Abakaliki
- Ebonyi Hotel, Afikpo
- Uko House, Afikpo
- Poly Guest House, Afikpo
- Romic Int. Guest House, Okposi
- Merchant Guest House Okposi
- Grace Court, Hotels And Suites Abakaliki
- Salt Lake Resort, Abakaliki
- Adig Suites, Abakaliki
- Salt Spring Hotels And Suites
- Osborne La Palm Royal Resort
10 ) MAJOR MINERAL RESOURCES IN EBONYI STATE AND LOCATIONS:
- Lead - Enyigba, Ikwo And Ishiagu
- Zink - Enyigba Ishiagu, Oshiri And Uburu
- Copper - Enyigba Ishiagu, Oshiri And Uburu
- Clay - Ishiagu, Afikpo, Okposi
- Gypsum - Afikpo, Onicha, Okpoto
- Limestone - Nkalagu,Ishiagu Okpoto
- Dolomite - Amofia, Akpocha
- Salt - Okposi, Enyimba Uburu
11 ) EXISTING INDUSTRIAL PLANTS IN EBONYI STATE
| SN | INDUSTRY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enyigba Mines Industry | Enyigba, Abakaliki L.G.A |
| 2 | Nigeria Cement Co.Ltd | Nkalaku, Ishielu L.G.A |
| 3 | Nkaliki Hatchery | Nkaliki, Abakaliki L.G.A |
| 4 | Ebonyi State Building Materials Ind | Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu L.G.A |
| 5 | Ezzillo Livestock Farms And (Grains Storage Facilities) | Ezillo, Ishielu L.G.A |
| 6 | Abakaliki Rice Milling Industry | Abakaliki L.G.A |
| 7 | Uburu Salt Industry | Uburu, Ohaozara L.G.A |
12 ) LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF EBONYI STATE
| SN | LOCAL GOVT AREA | HEADQUATER |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abakaliki | Nkaliki |
| 2 | Afikpo North | Afikpo |
| 3 | Afikpo South | Nguzu Edda |
| 4 | Ebonyi | Ugbodo |
| 5 | Ezza South | Onueke |
| 6 | Ezza North | Ebiaji |
| 7 | Ishielu | Ezillo |
| 8 | Ikwo | Onuebonyi Echara |
| 9 | Ivo | Isiaka |
| 10 | Izzi | Iboko |
| 11 | Ohaozara | Obiozara |
| 12 | Ohaukwu | Ezzambgo |
| 13 | Onicha | Isu |
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