Akwa Ibom State
State
Flag of Akwa Ibom
Flag
Seal of Akwa Ibom
Seal
Nicknames: 
Land of Promise, Akwa Abasi Ibom state
Location of Akwa Ibom in Nigeria
Location of Akwa Ibom in Nigeria
Coordinates: 05°00′N 07°50′E / 5.000°N 7.833°E / 5.000; 7.833
Country Nigeria
Date created23 September 1987
CapitalUyo
Government
 • BodyGovernment of Akwa Ibom State
 • GovernorPastor Umo Eno (PDP)
 • Deputy GovernorAkon Eyakenyi
 • LegislatureAkwa Ibom State House of Assembly
 • SenatorsNE: Aniekan Bassey (PDP)
NW: Godswill Akpabio (APC)
S: Ekong Sampson (PDP)
 • RepresentativesList
Area
 • Total7,081 km2 (2,734 sq mi)
 • Rank30 of 36
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total5,450,758
 • Rank15 of 36
 • Density770/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
DemonymAkwa Ibomite
GDP (PPP)
 • Year2021
 • Total$50.30 billion[2]
3rd of 36
 • Per capita$7,739[2]
4th of 36
Time zoneUTC+01 (WAT)
Dialing Code+234
ISO 3166 codeNG-AK
HDI (2021)0.608[3]
medium · 17th of 37
Websiteakwaibomstate.gov.ng

Akwa Ibom State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria[4] on the east by Cross River State for about 114 km (71 miles) mostly across Cross River, on the west by Rivers State for 52 km (32 miles) mostly across the Imo River and Abia State to the west and north for 151 km (94 miles), and on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The state takes its name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects the state before flowing into the Bight of Bonny.[5] Akwa Ibom was split from Cross River State in 1987 with its capital as Uyo and 31other local government areas.

Of the 36 states of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom is the 30th largest in area and fifteenth most populous with an estimated population of nearly 5.5 million as of 2016.[6] Geographically, the state is divided between the Central African mangroves in the coastal far south and the Cross–Niger transition forests in the rest of the state. Other important geographical features are the Imo and Cross rivers which flow along Akwa Ibom's eastern and western borders, respectively while the Qua Iboe River bisects the state before flowing into the Bight of Bonny. In the southeast corner of the state is the Stubb's Creek Forest Reserve, a heavily threatened wildlife reserve that contains declining crocodile, putty-nosed monkey, red-capped mangabey, and Sclater's guenon populations along with potentially extirpated populations of African leopard and Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee.[7][8][9][10] Offshore, the state is also biodiverse as there are large fish populations along with various cetacean species including bottlenose dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, humpback whales, and killer whales.[11]

Meridien Akwa Ibom golf course

Modern-day Akwa Ibom State has been inhabited by various ethnic groups for hundreds of years, primarily the closely related Ibibio, Anaang, Oron and Obolo peoples in the North-East, North-West, and Southern zones of the state, respectively. In the pre-colonial period, what is now Akwa Ibom State was divided into various city-states like the Ibom Kingdom and Akwa Akpa before the latter become a British protectorate in 1884 as a part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate.[12] In the early 1900s, the British actually gained formal control of the area before incorporating the protectorate (now renamed the Niger Coast Protectorate) into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate which later merged into British Nigeria; after the merger, much of modern-day Akwa-Ibom became a centre of anti-colonial resistance during the Women's War and political activism through the Ibibio State Union.[13]

After independence in 1960, the area of the present day Akwa-Ibom was part of the post-independence Eastern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the South-Eastern State. Less than two months afterwards, the Igbo-majority former Eastern Region attempted to secede as the state of Biafra; in the three-year long Nigerian Civil War, now-Akwa Ibom was hard-fought over in the prelude to the Invasion of Port Harcourt while people from Akwa Ibom were persecuted by Biafran forces as they were mainly non-Igbo.[14] At the war's end and the reunification of Nigeria, the South-Eastern State was reformed until 1976 when it was renamed Cross River State. Eleven years later, Cross River State was divided with western Cross River being broken off to form the new Akwa-Ibom State.[15]

Economically, Akwa-Ibom State is based around the production of crude oil and natural gas as highest oil-producing state in the country,[16] with Ibeno, Mbo and Eastern Obolo as oil-producing LGAs. Key minor industries involve agriculture as the state has substantial cocoyam, yam, and plantain crops along with fishing and heliciculture. Despite its vast oil revenues, Akwa Ibom has the seventeenth highest Human Development Index in the country in large part due to years of systemic corruption.[17][18][19]

History

Dancers in Akwa Ibom attire

The region of the state was created out of Cross River State on September 23, 1987, by the then Military Administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.[20] No central government existed among the people of what is now Akwa Ibom State, prior to the British invasion in 1904.

Although several Scottish missionaries arrived in Calabar in 1848, and Ibono in 1887, the British did not firmly establish control of the area until 1904. In that year, the Enyong Division was created encompassing the area of the current state of Akwa Ibom, with headquarters at Ikot Ekpene, an Annang city described by the noted Africanist Kaanan Nair, as the cultural and political capital of Annang and Ibibio.

The creation of Enyong Division for the first time, allowed the numerous ethnic groups to come together. This further provided a venue for the creation of the Ibibio Welfare Union, later renamed Ibibio State Union. This social organization was first organized as a local development and improvement forum for educated persons and groups who were shut out from the colonial administration in 1929.

When Akwa Ibom state was created in 1987, Uyo was chosen as the state capital to spread development to all regions of the state.[21]

Climate

Akwa Ibom has a tropical monsoon climate (Classification: Am) and is 42.58 meters (139.7 feet) above sea level. The city's average annual temperature is -0.99% lower than Nigeria's averages at 28.47 °C (83.25 °F). 342.56 millimeters (13.49 inches) of precipitation and 294.37 rainy days (80.65% of the time) are typical annual totals for Akwa Ibom.[22][23]

The Akwa Ibom region experiences tropical monsoons. All year long, there are high temperatures and a lot of rain. The region of Akwa Ibom experiences an average yearly temperature of 60 degrees and 672 inches of precipitation. With an average humidity of 80% and a UV-index of 7, it is dry for 52 days out of the year.[24]

The climate of Akwa Ibom is tropical with significant rainfall with only a short dry season.[25][26][27]

Government

Politics in Akwa Ibom State are dominated by the three main ethnic groups: the Ibibio, Annang and Oro. Of these three, the Ibibio remain the majority and have held sway in the state since its creation.

Ministries, Departments and Agencies

Here are the list of ministries in Akwa Ibom State[28]

Local Government Areas

Akwa Ibom State consists of thirty-one (31) local government areas. They include:

Meridien Akwa Ibom park

Demographics

Ethnic groups

The main ethnic groups of the state include: Ibibio, Anaang, Oro and Obolo.

Religion

The people of Akwa Ibom are predominantly Christians.

Pioneer Qua Iboe Church Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State

976,791 Catholics (2020) in the two dioceses of Uyo (1989) with 74 parishes under Bishop John Ebebe Ayah (2014), and Ikot Ekpene (1963) with 53 parishes under Bishop Camillus Raymond Umoh (2010), both suffragans of the Archdiocese of Calabar.

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Uyo within the Church of Nigeria is Prince Asukwo Antai (2014).[30]

Languages

Like their Efik neighbors of Cross River State, people of Akwa Ibom speak various dialects of the Ibibio-Efik languages, which belong to the Benue–Congo language family, forming part of the Niger–Congo group of languages.

The following table lists languages of Akwa Ibom State, and the local government areas in which they are spoken:[31]

LanguageLGA(s) spoken in
AnaangAbak, Essien Udim, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Oruk-Anam, Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Obot Akara.
OboloEastern Obolo
EkidEket, Esit Eket
EtebiEsit Eket
IbibioEtinan, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Itu, Ibesikpo-Asutan, Mkpat Enin, Nsit Atai, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Onna, Uruan, Uyo, Ini.
IbunoIbeno
Ika OkuIka
NkariIni
Itu Mbon UsoIni
IdereItu
EfikItu, Uruan
EbughuMbo, Oron
EfaiMbo
EnwanMbo
OroMbo, Oron, Udung Uko, Urue-Offong-Oruko
IkoEastern Obolo
OkoboOkobo
IlueOron
KhanaOruk-Anam

Education

The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education is tasked with monitoring the education sector of the state. The current region of Akwa Ibom State in old Calabar Kingdom, was the first to encounter Western education in Nigeria, with the establishment of Hope Waddell Training Institute, at Calabar in 1895, and the Methodist Boys' High School, Oron in 1905, as well as other top schools such as the Holy Family College at Abak and Regina Coeli College in Essene.

Some educational institutes in the state are:

  • Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi
  • Federal College of Education Ididep, Ibiono
  • School of Basic Studies, Abak[33]
  • School of Nursing, Uyo, Eket, Oron, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan[34]
  • Sure Polytechnic, Ukanafun[35]
  • Topfaith University, Mkpatak[36]
  • Trinity Polytechnic, Uyo[37]
  • Uyo City Polytechnic Nduetong Oku[38]

Transportation

Federal highways

  • A342 east from Aba (Abia State) via Uyo to Oron,
  • A4-1 east from A342 at Utu Ikot Ekpenyong to Cross River as the Ekot Ekpene-Calabar Rd.

Other major highways include:

  • the Ikot Akan-Deyor Chara Rd across the Imo River at Kalaoko to Rivers State,
  • the Nto Obo-Obon Ebot Rd west to Abia State at Azumini,
  • the Umuahia Rd north from A342 at Ikot Ekpene to Abia.

Airports:

Victor Attah International Airport (2009) 24 km southeast of Uyo has services to Abuja and Lagos, and Eket Airstrip for domestic flights.

Notable people

Politics

The State government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with the state house of assembly. The capital city of the state is Uyo.[67]

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.[68]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Akwa Ibom State History". Archived from the original on 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
  2. 1 2 Okeowo, Gabriel; Fatoba, Iyanuoluwa, eds. (2022-10-13). "State of States 2022 Edition" (PDF). Budgit.org. BudgIT. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  3. ↑ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  4. ↑ "Itu Local Government Area". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  5. ↑ Onyeakagbu, Adaobi (5 October 2021). "See how all the 36 Nigerian states got their names". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "Population 2006-2016". National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Inemesit, Akpan-Nsoh (14 May 2018). "'Akwa Ibom primates on brink of extinction'". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Eniang, Edem A.; Akani, Godfrey C.; Amadi, Nioking; Dendi, Daniele; Amori, Giovanni; Luiselli, Luca (15 Jul 2016). "Recent distribution data and conservation status of the leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)". Tropical Zoology. 29 (4): 173–183. doi:10.1080/03946975.2016.1214461. S2CID 89244146. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  9. ↑ Baker, Lynne R. (27 April 2012). "Report on a Survey of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, June 20 – July 5, 2003". WCS. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  10. ↑ Ogar, Dave A.; Asuk, Sijeh A.; Umanah, I.E. (2016). "Forest Cover Change in Stubb's Creek Forest Reserve Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria". Applied Tropical Agriculture. 21 (1): 183–189. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "Oron", African American Studies Center, Oxford University Press, 2005-04-07, retrieved 2024-01-11
  12. ↑ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Calabar" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 962.
  13. ↑ "About Akwa Ibom". Government of Akwa Ibom State. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  14. ↑ Omaka, Arua Oko (17 February 2014). "The Forgotten Victims: Ethnic Minorities in the Nigeria-Biafra War, 1967-1970". Journal of Retracing Africa. 1 (1): 25–40. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  15. ↑ "This is how the 36 states were created". Pulse.ng. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  16. ↑ Akanbi, Festus (19 September 2021). "As Anambra, Kogi Join Oil-producing States". ThisDay. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  17. ↑ "Human Development Indices". Global Data Lab. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  18. ↑ "The Gang of 43 breaks cover". Africa Confidential. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  19. ↑ ""Everyone's in on the Game"". Human Rights Watch. 17 August 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  20. ↑ "Brief History of Akwa Ibom State:: Nigeria Information & Guide". nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  21. ↑ "About Akwa Ibom | Akwa Ibom State Government". 4 May 2017. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  22. ↑ "Akwa Ibom, NG Climate Zone, Monthly Weather Averages and Historical Data". tcktcktck.org. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  23. ↑ "Akwa Ibom Climate Change & Clean Energy Summit/Expo". www.climatelinks.org. 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  24. ↑ "Akwa Ibom weather and climate ☀️ Best time to visit 🌡️ Temperature". www.besttravelmonths.com. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  25. ↑ "Climate Akwa Ibom: Temperature, climate graph, Climate table for Akwa Ibom - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  26. ↑ "Climate & Weather Averages in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria". www.timeanddate.com. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  27. ↑ "Climate Change Akwa Ibom State". meteoblue. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  28. ↑ "Akwa Ibom State Executive Council". Archived from the original on 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
  29. ↑ "The Longest Beach in West Africa". Folio Nigeria. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  30. ↑ "The Rt Revd Prince Asukwo Antai - The Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) - Anglican Communion". www.worldanglican.com. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  31. ↑ "Nigeria". Ethnologue (22 ed.). Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  32. ↑ "Foundation College of Technology". www.finelib.com. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  33. ↑ "School of Basic Studies – University Of Uyo". Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  34. ↑ Igwenagu, Emmanuel (2020-12-12). "Schools of Nursing & Midwifery In Akwa Ibom State". Nigerian Informer. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  35. ↑ ".:: Sure Foundation Polytechnic | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | Official Portal ::". www.sfp.edu.ng. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  36. ↑ "Home". www.topfaith.edu.ng.
  37. ↑ "Account Suspended". www.sfp.edu.ng.
  38. ↑ "Uyo City Polytechnic | Listed in Education - Colleges & Universities". www.nigeriabusinessweb.com. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  39. ↑ "Godswill Akpabio, all you need to know about di Niger Delta Minister". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  40. ↑ "Attah decries poor state of tourist centres in Akwa Ibom". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  41. ↑ Christopher, Priscilla (2021-06-02). "Walking the Future with Effiong Bob". Platinum NG. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  42. ↑ Mix, Pulse (2023-05-14). "Hilda Baci cooks over 110 meals 64 hours into her Guinness World Record attempt". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  43. ↑ "Naija Hood Rep picks RMD, 2Baba, Ini Edo, Okey Bakasi as judges". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  44. ↑ "Inibehe Effiong: Impunity in the land of promise". Punch Newspapers. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  45. ↑ Princewill, Nimi (2022-11-10). "TikTokers caned and ordered to wash toilets as court rules they defamed Nigerian governor". CNN. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  46. ↑ "OBITUARY: Ufot Ekaette: Nigeria's longest-serving SGF". 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  47. ↑ Babah, Chinedu (2017-01-17). "EKANDEM, (His Eminance), Dominic Cardinal". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  48. ↑ "CLOSE-UP: Chris Ekpenyong, the man who snookered Akpabio". TheCable. 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  49. ↑ "Engr Patrick Ekpotu". Akwa Ibom Celebrates. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  50. ↑ "Akwa-Ibom State Governor". www.nggovernorsforum.org. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  51. ↑ "Ita Enang confirms removal as Buhari's Senate aide | Premium Times Nigeria". 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  52. ↑ says, Aimuamwosa Idehen (2020-06-27). "French Club Appoints Vincent Enyeama As Coach". Soccernet.ng. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  53. ↑ Williams, Tommy. "Meet Mark Essien: Nigerian Entrepreneur Transforming The Travel Industry Across Africa". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  54. ↑ "Ex-Gov. Donald Etiebet buried | Premium Times Nigeria". 2015-12-12. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  55. ↑ "Why I had my womb removed - Actress Nse Ikpe-Etim | Premium Times Nigeria". 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  56. ↑ "Everything You Should Know About Eve Esin's Biography and Acting Successes". BuzzNigeria - Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  57. ↑ "President Buhari, IGP, Emmanuel others eulogize late Etim Inyang". Vanguard News. 2016-11-26. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  58. ↑ "Events & Facts". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  59. ↑ NIFSummit. "Emem Isong Misodi - Nigerian International Film & TV Summit". www.nifsummit.com. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  60. ↑ "Rt. Hon. Onofiok Akpan Luke". Akwa Ibom Celebrates. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  61. ↑ "Former Akwa Ibom governor, Idongesit Nkanga, is dead". 2020-12-25. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  62. ↑ "Samuel Peter, The Nigerian Nightmare Is Now A Boxing Nightmare". For the Love of Nigerians News. 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  63. ↑ Ifeoma, Peters (21 September 2017). "Fallen Legal Heroes: Hon. Justice Sir Egbert Udo Udoma - DNL Legal and Style". Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  64. ↑ "WEDDINGS; Beth Schoenholtz and Ebong Udoma". The New York Times. 1992-09-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  65. ↑ "10 things you should know about Nollywood actor". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  66. ↑ Imam Imam (9 June 2010). "Past INEC Chairmen". ThisDay. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  67. ↑ Oguntola, Tunde (2022-09-27). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  68. ↑ Oguntola, Tunde (2022-09-27). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Retrieved 2023-02-24.

58. Pastor Nathaniel Bassey, Moses Bliss and Jimmy D Psalmist also made the list of 2022 Owwre.com Top 10 Nigerian Gospel Music Artists from Akwa Ibom State.

59. https://leadership.ng/2023-next-president-govs-must-get-two-thirds-spread-says-inec/

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