Geography

Ubiaja Local Government is located in the northern part of Edo State, Nigeria. It covers an area of approximately 915 square kilometers and is bordered to the north by the Kogi State, to the east by the Esan West and Esan Central Local Government Areas, to the south by the Etsako Central and Etsako East Local Government Areas, and to the west by the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

The local government area is located within the tropical rainforest belt and 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, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between June and September.

Ubiaja Local Government is located in the Lower Niger Basin and is drained by several rivers and streams, including the Anegbete, Okhuo, and Osse Rivers. The rivers provide a source of water for irrigation and domestic use and support fishing activities in the area.

The local government area is also home to several hills and mountains, including the Afuze Hills, the Ukhun Hills, and the Okpebho Mountains. These hills and mountains provide scenic views and attract tourists to the area.

History

Ubiaja Local Government is located in the southeastern part of Edo State, Nigeria. The local government area was created on the 4th of December 1996 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha. Prior to its creation, Ubiaja was part of the Esan Central Local Government Area. Ubiaja town is the headquarters of the local government area and is home to several notable landmarks, including the Ubiaja Palace of the Enogie (traditional ruler), Ubiaja Grammar School, and the Ubiaja Market.

The people of Ubiaja are predominantly farmers, traders, and craftsmen. The local government area is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several festivals and celebrations, including the Ubiaja New Yam Festival and the Ubiaja Igue Festival.

In recent years, the local government area has seen some development projects, including the construction of roads and bridges, as well as the establishment of healthcare facilities and educational institutions. The government has also made efforts to improve the agricultural sector by providing support to farmers and promoting the cultivation of cash crops.

Overall, Ubiaja Local Government Area has a rich history and culture, and continues to make progress towards development and growth.

Economy

Ubiaja Local Government is located in Edo State, Nigeria, and has a predominantly agricultural-based economy, with farming being the primary economic activity in the area. The fertile soil and favorable climate of the area support the cultivation of crops such as yam, cassava, maize, rice, and vegetables. Ubiaja Local Government is also known for its production of palm oil, rubber, and cocoa, which are major cash crops in the area. The local government area has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, with the forests providing a source of non-timber forest products such as bush mango, wild nuts, and medicinal plants.

Fishing is another important economic activity in Ubiaja, with several rivers and streams in the area providing a source of fish for local consumption and trade. In recent years, there has been a push towards the development of fish farming as an alternative to wild catch fishing, which is becoming increasingly unsustainable due to overfishing.

The local government area also has some small-scale industries, including food processing, garment making, and handicrafts. However, these industries are not yet fully developed, and there is potential for further growth in this area.

The government of Edo State has also been working to improve the infrastructure in Ubiaja, with the construction of roads and bridges to improve access to the area and support economic activities. In addition, the state government has initiated several programs aimed at supporting agricultural development in the area, including the distribution of improved seedlings and fertilizers to farmers, and the provision of credit facilities to support small-scale farmers.

Overall, the economy of Ubiaja Local Government is predominantly agricultural-based, with potential for growth in other sectors, such as fisheries and small-scale industries. The government of Edo State is committed to supporting the development of the local economy, and there are opportunities for investment in the area, particularly in the agribusiness sector.

Regenerate response

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.