Delta is astate in theSouth-South geopolitical zone ofNigeria. Named after theNiger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the formerBendel State, on 27 August 1991.[5] It is bordered on the north byEdo State, the east byAnambra andRivers states, and the south byBayelsa State while to the west byOndo State, and theBight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state'scoastline. The state was initially created with 12 local government areas in 1991, but was later expanded to 19 and now has 25local government areas.[6] Its capital city isAsaba which is located along theRiver Niger on the northeastern end of the state, while the state's economic center is the city ofWarri on the southwestern coastline.
What is now Delta State has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including theIsoko andUrhobo the centre of the state;Ukwuani in the east; theIka,Enuani, andOlukumi in the northeast; theAnioma and the northwest; and theIjaw,Itsekiri, and also theUrhobo, in the southwest. In the pre-colonial period, the now-Delta State was divided into various monarchial states like theKingdom of Warri,Aboh andAgbon Kingdom before the area became a part of the BritishOil Rivers Protectorate in 1884. In the early 1900s, the British incorporated the protectorate (now renamed theNiger Coast Protectorate) into theSouthern Nigeria Protectorate which later amalgamated intoBritish Nigeria. However, colonial forces did not gain permanent control of modern-day Delta State until the 1910s, due to the uprisings of theEkumeku Movement. Notably, Delta has one of the few parts of Nigeria to have been under French control as the UK leased theenclave of Forcados to France from 1903 to 1930.
After independence in 1960, the area of now-Delta was a part of the post-independenceWestern Region until 1963 when the region was split and the area became part of theMid-Western Region. In 1967, the Biafra, Nigeria|Eastern Region]] attempted to secede as the state ofBiafra andinvaded the Mid-Western Region in an attempt to captureLagos and end thewar quickly; Biafran forces were halted and eventually pushed back but briefly declared the captured Mid-Western Region (including now-Delta State) as theRepublic of Benin. similarly, upon the liberation of the Mid-West, Nigerian forces committed theAsaba massacre against ethnic Igbos inAsaba. At the war's end and the reunification of Nigeria, theMid-Western Region was reformed until 1976 when it was renamedBendel State. In 1991, Bendel State was split with the north becomingEdo State and the south becoming Delta State.[10]
Economically, Delta State is based around the production ofcrude oil andnatural gas as one of the main oil-producing states in the country.[11] Key minor industries involveagriculture as the state has substantialoil palm,yam, andcassava crops along with fishing andheliciculture. In large part due to its vast oil revenues, Delta has thefourth highestHuman Development Index in the country; however, disputes between oil companies and local communities along with years of systemic corruption have led tohostilities that are often tied to the lack of development in host communities.[12][13]
Geography
Delta State covers a landmass of about 18,050 km2 (6,970 sq mi), of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between 5°00' and 6°45' E and 5°00' and 6°30' N.[14] It is geographically located inNigeria's Midwest, bounded in the north and west byEdo State for 350 km (218 miles), the east byAnambra, andRivers States for about 93 km and about 50 km respectively, southeast byBayelsa State across the Niger River for 17 km and theForçados River for 198 km,[15] and on the southern extreme is theBight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state'scoastline. Delta State is generally low-lying without any remarkable hills. The state has a wide coastal belt inter-laced withrivulets and streams, which form part of theNiger Delta.[16][17][18]
Climate
An important characteristic of the Climate of Delta State is flooding.[19] The ecological attributes of Delta State also include heavy rainfall, which makes the state, like other states in the Niger-Delta Nigeria to be regarded as lowlandrainforest, freshwaterswamp and mangrove swamp. Delta State has a mean rainfall of 36.9 mm, as well as an increase in rainfall which in the year 2015 resulted ininundation of farmlands in the state.[20] 2015 was also the year the state had the highest rainfall, amounting to 3183.6 mm. In the year 2007, the state had the lowest rainfall over the 11-year period, amounting to an annual rainfall of 2030.58 mm. While January has the lowest rainfall in the state, in July, rainfall is very high at 423.2 mm.[20]
History
Delta State was defined out of the formerBendel State on 27 August 1991.[21] The state was actualized following agitations for the realization of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province.[22] There was yet another state request proposed as "Anioma State[23]" comprising theAsaba andAgbor Divisions of the old Midwest region.[22] The then Military President, Gen.Ibrahim Babangida, recognized Delta state but chose "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Northwestern Lower Niger" as capital city.[22] The proposed capital was a virgin land in the heart of the two constituent divisions that constitutes the Northwestern Lower Niger.[22] Delta state was once integrated in the Mid Western state from 1963 to 1976 and later Bendel state, from 1976 to 1991. The name "Bendel" (Ben-Del) was coined from the old Benin and Delta Provinces of Western Region-Delta to reflect the integration of Benin and Delta provinces.[24]
Politics
The State government is governed by an elected governor who works closely with members of the state's House of Assembly.[25]
Electoral system
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-thirds of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes a 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.[25]
TheUrhobo-Isoko are basically the same people and are the most predominant people inhabiting the state[22] and currently about 2.3 million spanning across 13 local government areas, followed byUkwuani,Ika, Aniocha and Oshimili people of Delta State with a population of about 1.8 million spanning across 9 Local government areas who are sometimes referred to as theAnioma people.[26][27][22] TheItsekiri a subgroup of Yoruba though the third largest with an estimated population of 1.035 million people.
They are also known for their rich cultural heritage.
TheOkpe is a dialect of the Urhobo language. The Okpe people occupy two local government areas (Sapele and Okpe) in Delta Central.
The Ijaws are a group of people related to the predominant people of neighbouringBayelsa State,[28] while the Olukumi are becoming culturally and linguistically extinct,[29] due to acculturation and assimilation.[citation needed]
A2 as the Elele-Alimini-Patani East-West Rd across theForçados River from Bayelsa State by the 850 m bridge (2014) atPatani and north via Warri to Benin City,
Delta State has some historical, cultural and socio-political tourist centres that attract visitors from around the globe. Some of these sites of tourism include:[22]
The Nana's Palace built by ChiefNana Olomu of Ebrohim. He was a powerful 19th-century indigenous entrepreneur who traded with the British. The relationship eventually turned sour. Later, he surrendered (not without putting up a fight) and was exiled to Ghana. His personal effects are housed in this grand palace.[74][75]
The River Ethiope which is reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa (at 176 km). Its source is at the foot of a giant silk-cotton tree at Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state and flows through seven Local Government Areas in the State. It is a place of worship forOlokun traditional religion and also a common site for faithful of theIgbe Religious Movement.[76]
The Araya Bible Site which houses a copy of theHoly Bible. It is believed that the bible descended to this spot miraculously from heaven around August 1914. The bible dropped on rain-soaked yam and it didn't get wet. The site now attracts thousands of Christians yearly.[77]
Demas Nwoko Edifice which was built using traditional materials, designs and construction techniques of the Igbo civilization byDemas Nwoko, an architect, builder and artist of international repute from Idumuje-Ugboko, in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.[78]
TheMungo Park House which is now the site of the National Museum,Asaba. The house was constructed by theRoyal Niger Company (RNC) in 1886 and was used as a colonial administrative headquarters, a military house, the colonial administrative divisional headquarters, the RNC Constabulary building, and the seat of the Urban District Council at different times.[79]
TheAbraka Turf and Country Club, Abraka features a horse club where an international polo tournament is held every year during Easter.[80]
TheNiger Bridge which connects Delta State (by extension, western Nigeria) to the Eastern part ofNigeria. It is a beauty to behold. It was completed in 1965 and cost £5 million. It was damaged during the Civil War but later repaired.[81]
Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba which was built in memory of early British explorers. The complex has a museum, a graveyard, and many artworks and writings. It houses a replica of one of the boats that was used by the brothers.[citation needed]
Falcorp Mangrove Park
Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery which is a 512-year-old burial ground and serves as the resting place of past rulers of the Warri kingdom. A tree is planted on each grave.[82]
Mungo Park House, Asaba is the first headquarters of the Royal Niger Company and Nigeria's first political headquarters in 1900.[74]
Kwale Game Reserve is situated in the low coastal zone of Delta State, characterized by rainforest vegetation and deltaic swamps. It is rich in reptiles and water-associated animals, particularly red river hog, sitatunga and a variety of brackish, marine and freshwater fish species.[74]
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, economist and international development expert, Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the African Risk Capacity[133]
Abel Ubeku, first black managing director of Guinness Nigeria Plc[154]
Patrick Utomi, a Nigerian professor of political economy and management expert, Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria and a former presidential candidate[155]
Gift Johnbull – Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South South)[156]
^Oseni, Z. I. (1 January 1987). "Modern Arabic and Islamic studies in Bendel state of Nigeria".Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs Journal.8 (1):183–192.doi:10.1080/02666958708716027.ISSN0266-6952.
Media related toDelta State, Nigeria at Wikimedia Commons
