THE DESCRIPTION OF BENIN CITY

Geography

Benin City Local Government is one of the eighteen Local Government Areas in Edo State, Nigeria. It is located in the southern part of the state and covers an area of approximately 253 square kilometers. The area is bounded to the north by Oredo Local Government Area, to the east by Egor Local Government Area, to the west by Ovia South West Local Government Area, and to the south by Ovia North East Local Government Area.

The area is situated in the tropical rainforest belt of Nigeria and is characterized by a dense vegetation cover, which supports the cultivation of crops such as oil palm, rubber, cocoa, cassava, yam, and vegetables. The area is also known for its rich biodiversity, with many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles found in the area.

The area is home to several rivers and streams, including the Ovia and Ikpoba Rivers, which are major sources of water for irrigation and domestic use. The terrain in the area is generally flat with a few hills, such as the Ekehuan and Uselu Hills.

Benin City, the capital of Edo State, is located in the Benin City Local Government Area. The city is a major urban center with a population of over 1 million people.

History

Benin City Local Government Area was created on 27th August 1991, during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, following the creation of new states and local government areas in Nigeria. The area was carved out of the former Oredo Local Government Area, which was the largest local government area in Edo State at the time.

Before its creation, Benin City was part of the old Mid-Western Region and later the Bendel State. Benin City has a rich history and was once the capital of the ancient Benin Empire, which was known for its rich cultural heritage and artistic achievements.

After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the area became part of the Mid-Western State and later the Bendel State, which was created in 1976. The area witnessed some development in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other sectors, but it still faced some challenges, such as urbanization, environmental degradation, and inadequate infrastructure.

After the creation of Benin City Local Government Area in 1991, the area became an administrative unit with its headquarters in the city of Benin. The local government area is made up of several wards and communities, including New Benin, Ikpoba-Okha, Oka, Ologbo, and Uteh.

Economy

Benin City Local Government Area has a diverse and vibrant economy, with various sectors contributing to the local economy. The area is home to many small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as some large corporations, which create employment opportunities for many people in the area.

One of the main sectors driving the local economy is trade and commerce. Benin City is a major commercial hub in Nigeria, with many markets, such as the Oba Market, New Benin Market, and Ekiosa Market, attracting traders and buyers from other parts of the state and neighboring states. The markets serve as a major source of revenue for the local government, with the collection of market fees and taxes.

Another important sector is manufacturing, with various industries involved in the production of goods such as textiles, beverages, plastics, and furniture. The area is also known for its production of food products, such as biscuits, bread, and confectioneries.

The area is also home to various financial institutions, such as banks and microfinance banks, which provide financial services to individuals and businesses in the area. This sector contributes to the development of the local economy by providing access to credit and other financial services.

The area is also an educational hub, with several primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions located in the area. This sector creates employment opportunities for teachers, non-teaching staff, and support staff, while also contributing to the development of the human capital in the area.

Description of Edo State

The southern part of Nigeria is home to Edo State, one of Nigeria's 36 states. Population estimates for 2006 put the state's total population at 3,233,366; this places it as Nigeria's 24th most populous. Geographically, Edo State ranks as Nigeria's 22nd largest state. Benin Metropolis, the state capital and largest city, is Nigeria's hub for the rubber sector and the fourth largest city overall. Established in 1991 from what was then Bendel State, it is often referred to as "the heart pulse of the nation." To the northeast is Kogi State, to the east is Anambra State, to the southeast and south is Delta State, and to the west is Ondo State.

Elevations range from below sea level in the south to well above it in the north, with Edo state spanning a total of between 500 and 1,800 feet (150 and 550 meters). The majority of the region consists of tropical rain forest. The majority of the state's population identifies as Edo (Bini), a group with ties to the ancient Benin Empire.

Areas now under Edo State's limits were historically part of the Benin Empire, which originated in the 11th century AD.

There were some of the greatest earthworks in the world in the ancient city of Edo, which is now known as Benin City. Following a punitive campaign in 1897, the British Empire destroyed much of the historic city of Edo and annexed the surrounding land for what would later become the Southern Nigeria Protectorate.

Benin City, the capital of Edo state and the most populous city in Edo state, is located in southern Nigeria. Benin City sits on a tributary of the Benin River and is conveniently located close to the main thoroughfares connecting Lagos with the eastern states. Also is accessible through air and the ports of Koko and Sapele in the Niger River delta, and it has road connections to Sapele, Siluko, Okene, and Ubiaja.

Ivory and wood carvings, as well as so-called "bronzes" (really brass work, some of which is thought to originate from the 13th century), have long brought fame to Benin City. Its museum (1960) houses a significant collection of the kingdom's earliest works of art. Today's craftspeople in the city continue to use the time-honored process of cire perdue ("lost-wax") casting, and a cooperative craft association unites the city's woodworkers.

Benin City is home to numerous processing companies and a crepe rubber mill, making it Nigeria's rubber hub. You can visit the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (1961) in close proximity to Iyanomo. Benin City is home to sawmills as well. The city is a manufacturing hub, and products like furniture, beer, and soft beverages are all made there.

Edoid peoples, such as the Edo (or Bini), Esan, Owan, and Afemai, make up the vast majority of the state's population.

Commonly spoken in Benin City, the Edo language is the most widely spoken variety of the Edoid language family. Edo State has a large Christian population. In the 15th century, it was brought to the area by Portuguese missionaries. Muslim and more traditional beliefs are also followed.

History

The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, officially known as Bendel state from 1976. In June 1963 Edo state was formed from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City. Benin city was renamed a province in 1966, and in 1967 when the other provinces were separated into several states, it remained territorially intact, becoming a state. The Biafran forces invaded the new Mid-Western state during the  Nigerian Civil war, en route to Lagos, in an attempt to force a quick end to the war. While under the Biafran occupation, the state was declared as the “Republic of Benin” as Nigerian forces were to retake the region. The republic falls through a day after the declaration as Nigerian troops overtook Benin City. Edo State was formed On 27 August 1991 Edo state was formed when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States. In  Benin City, the population of the entire state is approximately 8 million. Edo state is made up of three major ethnic groups; namely Edo (Binis), Esan, and Afemai (Owan/Etsako) with Akoko Edo. Edo State has a high number of residents from across the country and the world because of its cosmopolitan tendencies. Benin City has a history of being one of the foremost destinations of Europeans during their exploration of the Africa continent many centuries ago. Some of the flashpoints have remained enviable tourists’ attraction for the state.

Economy

The Emotan Statue in Benin City, Ise Lake and River Niger Beach in Agenebode, Etsako-East, Mike Akhigbe Square in fugar, Ambrose Alli Square in Ekpoma, River Niger Beaches in Ilushi, BFFM Building in Ewu, Igun street, College of Agriculture and Aqua Culture Technology in Agenebode, Okpekpe with its hills and scenes, the Usomege Hills in Apan.

The state's mining industry generates crude oil and other minerals including limestone and quarry.

Demographics

The basic ethnic groups in Edo State are Binis, Etsako, Esans, Owans, and Akoko Edos. practically all the groups traced their origin to Benin City hence the dialects of the groups vary with their distance from Benin City. A lot of communities and indeed the ruling linage in all the tribes trace their roots to the ancient kingdom of Benin. There are Cultural similarities in the areas of religious worship, folk-lore, dances, festivals, traditional modes of dressing, arts, and craft. The political pattern and conduct are based on a situation where both the monarchial and republican ideas flourished in a combined manner. The colorful traditional festivals in the state manifest its abundance of cultural heritage. The state is occupied largely by the Edo (Bini) people, who are connected to the historic kingdom of Benin. Agriculture is the main profession of the economy. Yams, cassava (manioc), oil palm produce, rice, and corn (maize) are the major subsistence crops, while rubber, timber, and palm oil and kernels are cash crops.