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Delta State
State
Nickname(s): The Big Heart of the Nation[1]
Location of Delta State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 5°30′N 6°00′E / 5.500°N 6.000°E / 5.500; 6.000Coordinates: 5°30′N 6°00′E / 5.500°N 6.000°E / 5.500; 6.000
Country	Nigeria
Date created	27 August 1991
Capital	Asaba
Government
• Governor (List)	Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi (PDP)
• Deputy Governor	Kingsley Otuaro
Area
• Total	17,698 km2 (6,833 sq mi)
Area rank	23rd of 36
Population (2006 census)
• Total	4,112,445[2]
• Rank	9th of 36
Demonym(s)	Deltan
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2007
• Total	$16.75 billion[3]
• Per capita	$3,990[3]
Time zone	WAT (UTC+01)
ISO 3166 code	NG-DE
Website	www.deltastate.gov.ng

Delta or Delta State is an oil and agricultural producing state of Nigeria, situated in the region known as the South-South geo-political zone with a population of 4,112,445 (males: 2,069,309; females: 2,043,136).^[2] The capital city is Asaba, located at the northern end of the state, with an estimated area of 762 square kilometres (294 sq mi), while Warri is the economic nerve center of the state and also the most populated. It is located in the southern end of the state. The state has a total land area of 16,842 square kilometres (6,503 sq mi).

Geography

The state covers a landmass of about 18,050 km², of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between Longitude 5°00 and 6°.45' East and Latitude 5°00 and 6°.30' North. It is bounded in the north and west by Edo State, the east by Anambra, Imo, and Rivers States, southeast by Bayelsa State, and on the southern flank is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline. Delta State is generally low-lying without remarkable hills. The state has a wide coastal belt inter-lace with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger River Delta.

History

Delta State was carved out of the former Bendel State on 27 August 1991. The state was created following agitations for the creation of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province: the Urhobos, Ijaw Izon, Isoko, Itsekiri and Ukwuani (later joined Anioma). There was yet another state creation movement designated as "Niger State" comprising the old midwestern Igbo-speaking Asaba divisions and Ukwuani-speaking Aboh division of the old Midwest region. This was transformed into "Anioma" following the creation of Niger State from the old Northwestern State by the Murtala Muhammed administration in 1976. The then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, created the state using the name "Delta" advanced by Niger Delta region and "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Anioma" axis as capital. Asaba was designated as capital of the proposed Anioma State. The proposed capital was a virgin land or "Anioma city" in the heart of the two constituent divisions that had evolved to become the Anioma area. 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) coined from the old Benin and Delta Provinces of Western Region-Delta to reflect the integration of Benin and Delta provinces.

Demographics

Delta State is ethnically diverse, with various linguistic stocks.

The first region is made up of three linguistic groupings, collectively referred to as Anioma. They are of Igboid stock and composed of three main groups namely Enuani, who inhabit the Aniocha and Oshimili Local Government Areas; Ika; and Ndokwa/Ukwuani. All three inhabit the Delta North senatorial district.

The second region consists of the other three main linguistic groups: Edoid, comprising the Isoko and Urhobo; Yoruboid, Itsekiri; and Ijoid, Izon. The Urhobo cultural extraction is the largest in the state with over 2 million native speakers. The Itsekiri speak a language very closely related to Yoruba but have been culturally influenced by the Edo ethnic group from neighbouring Edo state, as well as the Urhobo, Ijaw and Portuguese. The Izon are a branch of their kith and kin, in neighbouring Bayelsa State.

The vast majority of inhabitants are Christian, with very few practicing Traditional Religion.

Administration

Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi, a member of the People's Democratic Party, was elected Governor and chief executive of Delta State in April 2015. His deputy is Barr. Kingsley Otuaro. 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^[4]

• 
  Ifeanyi Okowa - 29 May, 2015 to date (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):

Natural resources

There are various solid mineral deposits within 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.

Delta state also has huge deposits of crude oil and is also one the largest producers of petroleum products in Nigeria

Higher education

Delta state has one of the highest numbers of tertiary institutions in any Nigerian state. This is a product of the people's thirst for knowledge and academic work. Some of these institutions are:

• Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun


• 
  Delta State University (Abraka Campus, Oleh Campus, Asaba Campus)


• Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku


• Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara


• Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro


• The Film and Broadcast Academy, Ozoro


• College of Education, Agbor
  


• College of Education, Warri
  


• Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba
  


• College of Physical Education, Mosogar


• School of Health Technology, Ughelli
  


• 
  Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun^[5]


• 
  Western Delta University, Oghara
  


• Novena University, Ogume-Amai


• National Open University of Nigeria, Asaba Study Center, Asaba
  


• National Open University of Nigeria, Emevor Study Center, Emevor


• Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu


• Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri
  


• Conarina School of Maritime & Transport Technology, Oria-Abraka
  


• University of Information and Communication Technology, Agbor
  


• State School of Midwifery, Asaba
  


• School of Nursing, Agbor
  


• School of Nursing, Warri
  


• Baptist School of Nursing, Eku
  


• Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo


• Eagle Heights University, Omadino, Warri


• Nigerian Naval School, Sapele
  


• Nigerian Navy Maritime University, Ibusa
  

Tourist attractions

Delta State has some historical, cultural and socio-political tourist centers 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 faithfuls 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 and the Benin Empire 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 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 512 year old burial ground and serves as the resting place of past rulers of Warri kingdom. A tree is planted on each grave.

Sports

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

Notable people

• Dennis Osadebe


• Gamaliel Onosode


• Patrick Utomi


• Zulu Sofola


• Stephen Keshi


• 
  Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche, former Attorney General & Minister for Justice of Nigeria


• 
  Bovi, popular Nigerian comedian


• 
  John Pepper Clark, first professor of English in Africa, poet and writer


• 
  Joy Ogwu, former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations.


• 
  Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Nigeria.


• Dominic Oneya


• Jim Ovia


• 
  Tony Elumelu, UBA and Heirs Holdings.


• 
  Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, Nigerian financial industry leader and politician.


• 
  Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry


• 
  RMD, veteran actor


• 
  Ali Baba, veteran comedian.


• 
  I Go Dye, popular comedian across Africaand United Nations' Millennium Development Goals Ambassador


• 
  James Ibori, former governor of Delta State


• 
  Michael Ibru, business leader


• 
  Tanure Ojaide, professor of English and renowned writer


• 
  Blessing Okagbare, athlete, Olympic and World Championships medalist in the long jump, and a world medallist in the 200 metres
  


• 
  Sunny Ofehe, international human & environmental rights activist.


• 
  Okocha, former Super Eagles Captain


• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala


• 
  Ben Okri, writer


• 
  Omawumi, popular Nigerian entertainer.


• 
  Bruce Onobrakpeya, 2006 UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award, trustee of Western Niger Delta University


• 
  Ayo Oritsejafor, founder of Word of Life Bible Church


• 
  Amaju Pinnick, president of the Nigeria Football Federation


• Emmanuel Uduaghan


• 
  Abel Ubeku, first black Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc.


• 
  Udoka Azubuike, college basketball player at the University of Kansas^[6]

References

External links

• Delta State Government


• Governor of Delta State


• Delta State Newspaper