THE DESCRIPTION OF OWAN EAST

Geography

Owan East Local Government is one of the 18 local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria. It is located in the north-central part of Edo State and shares boundaries with Kogi State to the north, Etsako East Local Government to the west, Etsako Central Local Government to the south-west, and Akoko-Edo Local Government to the south-east.

The local government area covers a land area of approximately 1,712 square kilometers, with a diverse geography that includes rolling hills, plains, and valleys. The hills in Owan East are part of the Northern extension of the Obudu Plateau, which runs through southeastern Nigeria and into Cameroon. The hills provide scenic views of the surrounding landscape, and are home to a number of small communities.

The Owan River is the major river in the area, and it flows from Kogi State through Owan East and into the Niger River. The river is an important source of water for irrigation and other agricultural purposes.

Owan East is also home to a number of forests, including the Okomu Forest Reserve and the Owan Forest Reserve. These forests are home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, antelopes, and birds.

History

Owan East Local Government is one of the 18 local government areas that make up Edo State, Nigeria. The area was created in 1991 when the then Bendel State was divided into two states: Edo State and Delta State.

The people of Owan East Local Government are predominantly Edo-speaking, and they have a rich cultural heritage that dates back several centuries. The area was once part of the Benin Empire, and it played an important role in the pre-colonial history of the region.

During the colonial era, the area was incorporated into the British protectorate, and it became part of the Northern Region of Nigeria after independence in 1960. In 1976, the area was transferred to the newly created Bendel State, and it remained part of the state until the state was divided into Edo and Delta States in 1991.

Since its creation, Owan East Local Government has experienced significant development in various sectors of the economy, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The government has initiated various development projects aimed at improving the living standards of the people and promoting economic growth in the area.

Overall, the history of Owan East Local Government is closely linked to the history of the Edo people and the region as a whole. The area has played an important role in the socio-cultural and economic development of the region, and it continues to be an important center of commerce, agriculture, and culture.

Economy

Owan East Local Government is located in Edo State, Nigeria. The economy of Owan East Local Government is primarily agrarian, with a significant proportion of the population engaged in farming and related activities. The area is blessed with fertile land, which supports the cultivation of a variety of crops such as yam, cassava, maize, and vegetables.

In addition to agriculture, there are other economic activities in the area such as trading, small-scale manufacturing, and service provision. The local government area is home to several markets where people buy and sell goods and services. The most popular markets in Owan East Local Government are the Ekiadolor Market and the Abudu Market.

The government of Edo State has initiated various development projects in the area to improve the economy and create employment opportunities for the people. These projects include the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure that are necessary for economic development.

The area is also home to several natural resources, including timber, minerals, and water resources, which have the potential to be exploited for economic gain. The government has initiated efforts to harness these resources through sustainable management practices.

Overall, the economy of Owan East Local Government is primarily agrarian, but there are also other economic activities in the area. The government has initiated various development projects to improve the economy and create employment opportunities for the people.

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.