About Ebonyi – An Overview

Ebonyi State is located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. It is one of six new states created in 1996 by the former General Sanni Abacha Administration. Ebonyi was carved out of the old Abakaliki division of Enugu State and the old Afikpo division of Abia State. The State shares a border with Benue State to the North, Enugu State to the west, Imo and Abia States to the south and Cross River State to the east.

Ebonyi State has a population estimated at 4,339,136, based on the 2005 census. The inhabitants are spread across 5,935 square kilometers. The population is homogeneous – predominantly Igbos. Igbo is the native language and the most widely spoken. English is also widely spoken (for many, it is the second language).

The State capital and largest town is Abakaliki. Afikpo is the second largest town. Other towns are Edda, Onueke, Nkalagu, Uburu, Onicha, Ishiagu, Amasiri and Okposi.

There are thirteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ebonyi State, namely:

The state is also divided into three senatorial zones, namely:

• Ebonyi North – comprising Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ishielu, Ohaukwu and lzzi LGAs
• Ebonyi Central – comprising Ikwo, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs
• Ebonyi South – comprising Afikpo North, Afikpo South, lvo, Ohaozara and Onicha LGAs

The people of Ebonyi State are predominantly farmers and traders. The main crops produced in the State are rice, yam, palm produce, cocoa, maize, groundnut, plantain, banana, cassava, melon, sugar cane, beans, fruits and vegetables. Fishing is also carried out in Afikpo.

The state is blessed with mineral resources such as lead, limestone, zinc and marble. Ebonyi is called "the salt of the nation" for its huge salt deposit at the Okposi and Uburu Salt Lakes.

In the industrial sector, the State has the Nigerian Cement Company at Nkalagu. It has quarry and crush industries at Ishiagu. And it has several rice mills and food processing factories in Abakaliki.

Educationally, the State boasts of a university in Abakaliki (Ebonyi State University, popularly known as EBSU), a federal polytechnic, one college of education in Ikwo, a college of agriculture in Ishiagu and several secondary and primary schools spread across the various towns and villages.

In the health sector, Ebonyi has two major hospitals – Ebonyi State Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Center – both in Abakaliki. The State also has three general hospitals located in Onueke, Onicha and Enohia Itim (near Afikpo). These are complemented by several private hospitals and clinics in various towns and villages. The State also has three schools of nursing at Uburu, Afikpo and Edda.

Tourist attractions in the State include Ndibe Beach in Afikpo; Uburu Salt Lake in Uburu and Ishiagu Pottery Works in Ishiagu.

Ebonyi State has a rich cultural heritage. This is expressed in the many colorful cultural dances, folklore and artwork, some of which have attracted national and international attention. The popular Nkwa Umuagbogho Dance Group of Afikpo has won several national and international merit awards. Other popular groups include Nkwa Nwite of Afikpo and Ojianyalere of Amasiri and many more.

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