Delta State

Delta State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the former Bendel State, on 27 August 1991. Bordered on the north by Edo State, the east by Anambra and Rivers states, and that south by Bayelsa State while to the west is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline. The state was initially created with 12 local government areas in 1991, but was later expanded to 19 and now has 25 local government areas. Its capital city is Asaba which is located along the River Niger on the northeastern end of the state, while the state's economic center is the city of Warri on the southwestern coastline.

Of the 36 states, Delta is the 23rd largest in area and twelfth most populous with an estimated population of over 5.6 million as of 2016. Geographically, the state is divided between the Central African mangroves in the coastal southwest and the Nigerian lowland forests in most of the rest of the state as a small portion of the Niger Delta swamp forests are in the far south. The other important geographical features are the River Niger and its distributary, the Forçados River, which flow along Delta's eastern and southern borders, respectively; while fellow Niger distributary, the Escravos River, runs through Warri and the coastal areas are riddled with dozens of smaller Niger distributaries that make up much of the western Niger Delta. Much of the state's nature contain threatened dwarf crocodile, Grey parrot, African fish eagle, mona monkey, and African manatee populations along with potentially extirpated populations of African leopard and Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Offshore, the state is also biodiverse as there are populations of Lesser African threadfin, crabs, and blue mussel along with various cetacean species.

What is now Delta State has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including the Isoko and Eruwa in the centre of the state; Ukwuani in the east; the Ika, Enuani, and Olukumi in the northeast; the Anioma in the northwest; and the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo, in the southwest. In the pre-colonial period, now-Delta State was divided into various monarchial states like the Kingdom of Warri and Agbor Kingdom before the area became a part of the British Oil Rivers Protectorate in 1884. In the early 1900s, the British incorporated the protectorate (now renamed the Niger Coast Protectorate) into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate which later amalgamated into British Nigeria. However, colonial forces did not gain permanent control of modern-day Delta State until the 1910s, due to the uprisings of the Ekumeku Movement. Notably, Delta has one of the few parts of now-Nigeria to have been under French control as the UK leased the enclave of Forcados to France from 1903 to 1930.

After independence in 1960, the area of now-Delta was a part of the post-independence Western Region until 1963 when the region was split and the area became part of the Mid-Western Region. In 1967, the Igbo-majority former Eastern Region attempted to secede as the state of Biafra and invaded the Mid-Western Region in an attempt to capture Lagos and end the war quickly; Biafran forces were halted and eventually pushed back but briefly declared the captured Mid-Western Region (including now-Delta State) as the Republic of Benin. During the occupation there were widespread hostilities between the Biafran forces and the mainly non-Igbo inhabitants of now-Delta State with Biafran forces committing atrocities against ethnic Hausa, Urhobo, and Ijaw people; similarly, upon the liberation of the Mid-West, Nigerian forces committed the Asaba massacre against ethnic Igbos in Asaba. At the war's end and the reunification of Nigeria, the Mid-Western Region was reformed until 1976 when it was renamed Bendel State. In 1991, Bendel State was split with the north becoming Edo State and the south becoming Delta State.

Economically, Delta State is based around the production of crude oil and natural gas as one of the main oil-producing states in the country. Key minor industries involve agriculture as the state has substantial oil palm, yam, and cassava crops along with fishing and heliciculture. In large part due to its vast oil revenues, Delta has the fourth highest Human Development Index in the country; however, disputes between oil companies and local communities along with years of systemic corruption have lead to hostilities that are often tied to the lack of development in host communities.

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. It is geographically located in Nigeria's Midwest, bounded in the north and west by Edo State for 350 km (218 miles), the east by Anambra, and Rivers States for about 93 km and about 50 km respectively, southeast by Bayelsa State across the Niger River for 17 km and the Forçados River for 198 km, and on the southern extreme is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline. Delta State is generally low-lying without any remarkable hills. The state has a wide coastal belt inter-laced with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger Delta.

Climate

An important characteristics of the Climate of Delta State is flooding. 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 lowland rainforest, freshwater swamp and mangrove swamp. Delta State has a mean rainfall of 36.9 mm, as well as increase in rainfall which in year 2015 resulted to inundation of farmlands in the state. 2015 was also the year the state had the highest rainfall, amounting to 3183.6 mm. In 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.

History

Delta State was defined out of the former Bendel State on 27 August 1991. The state was actualized following agitations for the realization of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province. There was yet another state request proposed as "Anioma State" comprising the Asaba and Agbor Divisions of the old Midwest region. The then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, recognized Delta state but chose "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Northwestern Lower Niger" as capital city. The proposed capital was a virgin land in the heart of the two constituent divisions that constitutes the Northwestern Lower Niger. 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.

Politics

The State government is governed by an elected governor who works closely with members of the state's house of assembly.

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 -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.

Demographics

Delta State is predominantly inhabited by the Urhobo, Anioma, Isoko, Uvwie, Okpe, Ijaw, Ukwuani, Ika, Enuani, Igbo Itsekiri and the Olukumi people. The population of other groups in the state are negligible.

The Urhobo-Isoko are basically the same people and are the most predominant people inhabiting the state and currently about 3.3 million spanning across 13 local government areas, followed by Ukwuani, Ika and Aniocha-Oshimili (Igboid/Igbo) people of Delta State with a population of about 1.8 million spanning across 9 Local government areas who are sometimes referred to as the Anioma people. The Itsekiri speak a language very closely related to Yoruba but have been culturally influenced by the Edo from neighbouring Edo state, as well as the Urhobo, and Ijaw.

The Okpe is a dialect of 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 neighbouring Bayelsa State, while the Olukumi are becoming culturally and linguistically extinct, due to acculturation and assimilation.

The vast majority of inhabitants are Christian, with very few practicing traditional religions.

The Catholic Church includes the Diocese of Warri (1964) with 135 parishes under Bishop Anthony Ovayero Ewherido (2022), and parts of Bomadi (1991) under Bishop Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo (2009), both suffragans of the Archdiocese of Benin City.

The Bendel Province of the Anglican Church of Nigeria under Archbishop Cyril Odutemu (2020) includes the Dioceses of Asaba (1977) led by Bishop Kingsley Chukwakanadu Obuh (2022), Ika (2001) led by Bishop Godfrey Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi (2018), Ndokwa (2008) led by Bishop Festus Nwafili (2023), Sapele (2009) led by Bishop Blessing Erifeta (2009), Ughelli led by Bishop Cyril Odutemu, Warri (1980) led by Bishop Christian Esezi Ide (2006) and Western Izon (2005) led by Bishop Victor Okporu (2021).

Administration

Sheriff Oborevwori, a member of the People's Democratic Party, was elected Governor and chief executive of Delta State in March 2023. His deputy is Monday Onyeme. The state has three National Senatorial Districts (South, North and Central). In 2011 and 2013, the elected senators were James Manager, Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi and Emmanuel Aguariavwodo who replaced Pius Ewherido who died in 2013 at National Hospital, Abuja. In 2015, Chief Ighoyeta Amori was elected Senator of Delta Central but his election was annulled and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege sworn in as Senator of Delta Central, James Manager retained his position and Chief Peter Nwaoboshi was elected Senator of Delta North. The Executive, Legislative and Judicial Chambers are housed in Asaba with a government house annex in Warri.

Past & present administrations

• Sheriff Oborevwori - 29 May 2023 to date (PDP)
• Ifeanyi Okowa - 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023 (PDP)
• Emmanuel Uduaghan - 29 May 2007 to 29 May 2015 (PDP)
• James Ibori - 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007 (PDP)
• Walter Feghabo - 12 August 1998 to 29 May 1999 (Military)
• John Dungs - 22 August 1996 to 12 August 1998 (Military)
• Ibrahim Kefas - 26 September 1994 to 22 August 1996 (Military)
• Bassey Asuquo - 10 December 1993 to 26 September 1994 (Military)
• Abdulkadir Shehu - 17 November 1993 – 10 December 1993 (Military)
• Luke Chijiuba Ochulor - 28 August 1991 - January 1992 (Military)
• Felix Ibru - January 1992 - November 1993 (SDP)

Local Government Areas

Delta State consists of 25 Local Government Areas (shown with 2006 population figures):

Local Governments/Indigenous people

Indigenous ethnic groups of Delta State listed by LGA:

Economy

The state is one of the richer and more developed ones in Nigeria and has the second-lowest incidence of extreme poverty (around 3% of the population against a national average of 31%) according to World Bank data from 2018.

Natural resources

There are various solid mineral deposits within the state - industrial clay, silica, lignite, kaolin, tar sand, decorative rocks, limestone, etc. These are raw materials for industries such as brick making, ceramics, bottle manufacturing, glass manufacturing, chemical/insulators production, chalk manufacturing and sanitary wares, decorative stone cutting and quarrying, but these minerals are under-utilized.

Delta state also has huge deposits of crude oil and is also one of the largest producers of petroleum products in Nigeria. Sales of petroleum products is what majorly drives its economy.

Higher education

Institutions of higher learning in Delta state include:

• Federal University of Petroleum Resources,Effurun
• Delta State University, Abraka
• Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro
• Dennis Osadebe University, Anwai
• University of Delta, Agbor
• Delta State Polytechnics (two different Polytechnics, one at Oghara, and one at Ogwashi-Uku)
• The Film and Broadcast Academy, Ozoro
• College of Education Warri.
• Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba
• College of Education, Mosogar
• Delta State College of Health Technology, Ofuoma, Ughelli
• Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Ughelli
• Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun
• Western Delta University, Oghara
• Novena University, Ogume-Amai
• National Open University of Nigeria (three study centres, one at Asaba, one at Emevor and another at Owhrode).
• Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu
• Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri South West
• Conarina School of Maritime & Transport Technology, Oria-Abraka
• University of Information and Communication Technology, Agbor
• State School of Midwifery, Asaba
• School of Nursing (two schools, one at Agbor and another at Warri)
• Baptist School of Nursing, Eku
• Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo
• Eagle Heights University, Omadino, Warri
• Admiralty University of Nigeria at Ibusa and Sapele

• Adam Igbudu Christian Institute, Emevor (a private Nigerian university named after the founder of the Anglican Adam Preaching Society, Cornelius Adam Igbudu

Transportation

Federal Highways are:

• A2 as the Elele-Alimini-Patani East-West Rd across the Forçados River from Bayelsa State by the 850 m bridge (2014) at Patani and north via Warri to Benin City,
• A232 (Trans-African Highway 8 Lagos-Mombasa) east from Edo State via Agbor and Asaba to Onitsha by the 1,404 m River Niger Bridge (1965).

Other major roads include

• the Warri-Sakpoba Rd northeast from A2 at Ogharefe Junction to Edo State at Otefe,
• the Agbor Eku Rd south from Agbor,
• the Sakpoba Rd southwest from Agbor to Edo State at Ugbeka,
• the Uromi Igbanke Rd north from A232 at Agbor to Edo State.

Airports: Warri Airport or Osubi Airstrip, built by Shell Oil in 1999.

Tourist attractions

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:

• The Nana's Palace built by Chief Nana 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.
• 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 for Olokun traditional religion and also a common site for faithful of the Igbe Religious Movement.
• The Araya Bible Site which houses a copy of the Holy 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.
• Demas Nwoko Edifice which was built using traditional materials, designs and construction techniques of the Igbo civilization by Demas Nwoko, an architect, builder and artist of international repute from Idumuje-Ugboko, in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.
• The Mungo Park House which is now the site of the National Museum, Asaba. The house was constructed by the Royal 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.
• The Abraka Turf and Country Club, Abraka features a horse club where an international polo tournament holds every year during Easter.
• The Niger Bridge which connects Delta State (by extension, western Nigeria) to the Eastern part of Nigeria. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Mungo Park House, Asaba is the first headquarters of the Royal Niger Company and Nigeria's first political headquarters in 1900.
• 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.

Sports

Delta State is known to have produced several sportsmen and women, notably Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Wilson Oruma, Efetobore Sodje Blessing Okagbare, Jonathan Akpoborie, and Ogenekaro Etebo.

Notable people

• Francis Agoda aka I Go Dye, popular comedian across Africa and United Nations' Millennium Development Goals Ambassador
• Alibaba Akpobome, stand-up comedian and actor
• Venita Akpofure, British-Nigerian actress and video vixen
• Eyimofe Atake, Senior Advocate of Nigeria
• F.O.M. Atake, Nigerian Judge (1967–1977) and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1979–1982)
• Rt Rev'd John U Aruakpor Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Oleh
• Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche, former Attorney General & Minister for Justice of Nigeria
• Udoka Azubuike, professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz, played at college for the University of Kansas
• Bovi, Nigerian comedian, event host, Actor and skit maker
• John Pepper Clark, first professor of English in Africa, poet and writer
• David Dafinone, Renowned Account/Politician
• Destalker, Nigerian comedian
• Paul Dike, Past Chief of Defence Staff
• Enebeli Elebuwa, Nigerian Actor
• Mairo Ese, Nigerian gospel singer
• Tony Elumelu, UBA and Heirs Holdings
• Godwin Emefiele present CBN Governor
• Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, Nigerian financial industry leader and politician
• Ayiri Emami, is a Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist.
• Erigga, Nigerian Hip hop recording artist, songwriter
• Peter Etebo, Nigerian professional footballer
• Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry
• Harrysong, Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist
• James Ibori, former governor of Delta State
• Alex Ibru, Former minister of interior affairs and founder of the Guardian Newspaper
• Cecilia Ibru, Former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank
• Elvina Ibru, Nollywood Actress
• Felix Ibru, First civilian governor of Delta State
• Michael Ibru, pioneer industrialist
• Oskar Ibru, business magnate
• Maiden Alex Ibru, media executive
• Goodie Ibru, businessman and hotelier
• Emmanuel Ibru, Businessman and football administrator
• Cornelius Adam Igbudu (1914–1981), founder of the Anglican Adam Preaching Society
• Ogaga Ifowodo, lawyer and human rights activist
• Dumebi Iyamah Owner of Andrea Iyamah Brand
• Don Jazzy, Nigerian singer and producer
• Ibe Kachikwu, former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Nigeria
• Stephen Keshi, Nigerian ex-defender, former head coach of the super eagles
• Festus Keyamo, Nigerian lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN
• Lynxxx, Recording artist, entrepreneur and the first Nigerian Pepsi brand ambassador
• Senator James Manager Ebiowou, Nigerian politician at the Senate level
• Rosaline Meurer, Gambian-born Nigerian actress
• Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nigerian veteran actor, writer, producer, and lawyer, former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State
• Collins Nweke, First non-Belgian born person elected to political office in West Flanders Belgium
• Nduka Obaigbena Founder, ThisDay & AriseTV
• Sam Obi, Ex-speaker and former acting governor of Delta State
• Sheriff Oborevwori Governor Delta State
• Sunny Ofehe, international human & environmental rights activist
• Kenneth Ogba, politician
• Timothy Ogene, writer and lecturer at Harvard University
• Joy Ogwu, former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations
• Tanure Ojaide, professor of English and renowned writer
• Mandy Ojugbana, musician
• Okocha, former Super Eagles Captain
• Blessing Okagbare, athlete, Olympic and World Athletics Championships medalist in the long jump, and a world medallist in the 200 metres
• 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
• Chris Okotie, Nigerian musician, televangelist, politician
• Ifeanyi Okowa former governor of Delta State
• Ben Okri, writer, Nigerian poet and novelist
• Sunday Oliseh, Football Manager and former player
• Omawumi, Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress; brand ambassador for Globacom, Konga, Malta Guinness
• Mabel Evwierhoma, Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja
• Ovie Omo-Agege, Nigerian lawyer, politician
• Rachel Oniga, was a Nigerian film actress
• Dominic Oneya, Retired Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army , former chairman of the Nigeria Football Association
• Divine Oduduru, Nigerian sprinter and athlete
• Bruce Onobrakpeya, 2006 UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award, trustee of Western Niger Delta University
• Gamaliel Onosode, Nigerian technocrat, administrator and a former presidential candidate
• Orezi, singer, songwriter
• Ayo Oritsejafor, founder of Word of Life Bible Church
• Stephen Oru, Nigerian politician, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs
• Peter Godsday Orubebe, politician, ex-Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, ex-Minister of special duties
• Dennis Osadebay, Nigerian politician, lawyer, poet, journalist
• Ifeanyi Ossai Founder CribMD
• Prof Onigu Otite, sociologist and anthropologist
• Kingsley Otuaro former deputy governor of Delta State
• Jim Ovia, Nigerian businessman, founder of Zenith Bank
• Tim Owhefere, Nigerian politician
• General Alexander Ogomudia, former chief of Defense staff (CDS) and former Chief of Army staff (COAS)
• Amaju Pinnick, president of the Nigeria Football Federation
• Alfred Rewane, businessman and NADECO financier
• Igho Sanomi, Nigerian businessman
• SHiiKANE, Nigerian Afro-Pop, Pop, Afrobeat, Jazz, Dance, R&B music group
• Zulu Sofola, First published female Nigerian playwright and dramatist, first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa
• Ojo Taiye, Nigerian poet, winner of the Kingdoms in the Wild 2019 Annual Poetry Prize
• Tompolo, former Nigerian Militant Commander
• Abel Ubeku, first black managing director of Guinness Nigeria Plc
• 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
• Prince Tega Wanogho, American football player
• Faithia Williams, is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer and director.
• Baanty, is a creative director and Singer

References

External links

• Media related to Delta State, Nigeria at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website
• Governor of Delta State
• Delta State Newspaper