THE DESCRIPTION OF ESAN WEST

Geography 

Esan West Local Government Area is located in the western part of Edo State, Nigeria. It covers an area of approximately 542 square kilometers and is bounded to the north by Esan Central Local Government Area, to the east by Esan North-East Local Government Area, to the south by Owan West Local Government Area, and to the west by Etsako Central Local Government Area.

The area is predominantly hilly with a few valleys and plains. The major hills in the area include Ogbomo and Agbede hills, while the major rivers include the Ososo and Ogbodo rivers. The area is also characterized by a tropical rainforest vegetation cover, which supports the cultivation of crops such as cocoa, kola nut, rubber, oil palm, and other cash crops.

The area has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons - the rainy season, which lasts from April to October, and the dry season, which lasts from November to March. The area receives an average annual rainfall of about 1,500 millimeters and has an average temperature of about 27 degrees Celsius.

Esan West Local Government Area is known for its rich cultural heritage, with the area being home to many traditional festivals such as the Igue festival, which is celebrated annually by the Esan people.

History

Esan West Local Government Area is one of the eighteen Local Government Areas in Edo State, Nigeria. It was created in 1991, during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. Before its creation, it was part of the old Esan Local Government Area, which was later divided into three, namely: Esan Central, Esan North-East, and Esan West Local Government Areas.

Esan West Local Government Area is located in the western part of Edo State and has its headquarters in Ekpoma. The area is predominantly occupied by the Esan people, who are known for their rich cultural heritage and agricultural practices.

The area has a rich history that dates back to pre-colonial times when it was ruled by various independent kingdoms and clans. These kingdoms and clans were later subjugated by the Benin Empire, which was one of the dominant empires in the region at the time.

During the colonial era, the area came under the influence of the British colonial government, which established a number of administrative structures in the area. These structures included the establishment of local councils, schools, hospitals, and other social amenities.

After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the area continued to grow and develop, with the establishment of more local councils, schools, and other social amenities. In 1991, the area was further divided into three

Economy

The economy of Esan West Local Government Area is largely agrarian. The area is blessed with fertile soil, which supports the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including yam, cassava, maize, plantain, cocoa, rubber, kola nut, and oil palm. The area is also known for its production of vegetables and fruits, such as pineapples, oranges, and mangoes.

The production of palm oil is a major economic activity in the area, with many small-scale oil mills scattered across the area. The area is also known for its production of cocoa and kola nut, which are cash crops that are highly valued in the local and international markets.

In addition to agriculture, there are also some small-scale industries in the area, such as soap-making, pottery, and weaving. The area also has some commercial activities, with markets such as the Ekpoma Market attracting traders and buyers from other parts of the state and neighboring states.

Education is also a growing sector in the area, with the establishment of more schools and other educational institutions. This has created employment opportunities for many people in the area, including teachers, non-teaching staff, and support staff.

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.