Bayelsa

Bayelsa is one of the states in the South-South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta region. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. Yenagoa is the capital city of Bayelsa State with most parts to have fallen within the high-risk of floods, suspects to occur annually. It shares a boundary with Rivers State to the East and Delta State to the west, with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean dominating its southern borders. It has a total area of 10, 773 km2. The state comprises eight Local Government Areas. they are Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Brass and Southern Ijaw. The state shares borders with Rivers State, of which it was formerly part, and Delta State.

Ijaw, language is widely spoken in Bayelsa State also Isoko and Urhobo speak within their ancestral towns in the state. It is also the ancestral home of the Urhobo people in the Sagbama local government area. The state is the smallest in Nigeria by population of the 2006 census, as well as one of the smallest by area. Being in the Niger Delta region, Bayelsa State has a riverine and estuarine setting, with bodies of water within the state preventing the development of significant road infrastructure.

As a state in the oil-rich Niger Delta the Bayelsa State's economy is dominated by the petroleum industry. The state is the site of Oloibiri Oilfield, where oil was first discovered in Nigeria, and as of 2015 was estimated to produce 30-40% of the country's oil. The state nicknamed “Glory of all Lands” has the largest gas reservoir (18 trillion cubic feet) in Nigeria. Though being the site of one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in the country contributes to local economic development, the state remains plagued by rampant poverty as well as pollution stemming from oil spills.

Politics

Douye Diri is the governor of Bayelsa State, while Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo the Deputy Governor of the State.

Location

Bayelsa is one of the states in southern part of Nigeria, located in the core of Niger Delta region. Bayelsa was carved out from Rivers state, making it one of the newest states in Federation.

Bayelsa shares a boundary with Rivers state to the East and Delta state to the West, with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean dominating its Southern borders.

History

During the 20th century, demands for a new, majority-Ijaw state to be drawn in the Niger Delta Region became common. Between 1941 and 1956, numerous Ijaw nationalist organizations supportive of an Ijaw-majority state in Southern Nigeria were founded. Isaac Adaka Boro, a prominent Ijaw rights activist during the 1960's who was born in Oloibiri, attempted to proclaim a "Niger Delta Peoples Republic" in 1966. Bayelsa State was created out of Rivers State on October 1, 1996 by the Sani Abacha's military government. Its name was derived from the first few letters of the names of the major local government areas from which it was formed: Brass LGA (BALGA), Yenagoa LGA (YELGA) and Sagbama LGA (SALGA).

On November 20, 1999, the Nigerian military committed what is now referred to as the Odi massacre. The death toll remains disputed to this day, though Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action, claims that nearly 2500 civilians were killed.

In response to environmental degradation in the state caused by the oil industry, movements such as the "Rise for Bayelsa" campaign have emerged to push for protecting the local water supply. In 2019, the Bayelsa State government launched the first formal inquiry into the crisis of oil pollution in the state.

Economy

Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in Nigeria. As a result, petroleum production is substantial in the state. Even though Bayelsa State is well-endowed with natural resources, the state "enjoys very minimal dividends from its oil wealth due to the structural inequities in the national revenue allocation system in the practice of fiscal federalism in the country".

Geography

Bayelsa has a riverine and estuarine setting. Many communities are almost (and in some cases) surrounded by water, making them inaccessible by road. The state is home to the Edumanom Forest Reserve, in June 2008 the last known site for chimpanzees in the Niger Delta.

Other important cities besides Yenagoa include Akassa, Lobia, Amassoma (the home of the Niger Delta University), Eniwari, Ekeremor, Aliebiri, Peretoru, Twon-Brass, Egwema-Brass, Kaiama, Nembe, Odi, Ogbia, Okpoama, Brass, Oporoma, Korokorosei, Otuan, Koroama, Okolobiri, Obunagha, Ogboloma, Sagbama, Olugbobiri, Peremabiri, Ekowe, and Swali.

The Akassa Lighthouse has stood since 1910.

Languages

The main language spoken is Ijaw with dialects such as Kolokuma, Nembe, Epie-Atissa, and Ogbia. Like the rest of Nigeria, English is the official language.

Languages of Bayelsa State listed by LGA:

Environmental Issues

Soot pollution

This is a black hazardous carbonate substance that pollute the area due to its illegal burning of crude oil(locally called Kpo-fire). This carcinogenic chemical causes illnesses such as lung cancer, skin irritation, allergies, respiratory tract infections, eye problem etc. Its effect is also meted on the environment as it causes air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution which has led to the death of both plants, humans and animals.

Flooding

This is a common annual problem in Bayelsa because it is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The rise of sea water is the major cause. The flooding has affected many communities, properties and human lives. Almost all areas in Bayelsa state are affected by flooding but Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Yenagoa areas of Bayelsa state are more prone to flooding as it affects these areas yearly. Poor town planning is another major causes of flooding in Bayelsa State.

As of August 2022 the state was stricken with flood, resulting to the displacement of over 1.3 million people destroying live stocks and properties.

Oil spillage

This is one of the major environmental issue in Bayelsa State due to the activities of major oil companies. Oil spillage has affected farmlands, aquatic life and the health of the people. Almost everyday, Udengs Eradiri is informed of another oil spill in Bayelsa state, in the Niger Delta.

He said Bayelsa used to be green, you could go to farm or fish and have a very impressive harvest. You would spend just some hours in the water and you have a handful of fish. Today, he added, you can spend the whole day without catching a glimpse of a fish.

Another major environmental issue in Bayelsa state is air pollution(SOOT). Today, many people in Bayelsa state lament that they cannot breathe due to the exposure of emissions of soot, a hazardous black amorphous carbon that has almost completely polluted the air in the areas.

However, stakeholders in the affected areas had in 2018 reportedly initiated a campaign with the common refrain; "Save Rivers from this soot of death", in the Rivers state region.

Notable people

* Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was a former Nigerian politician and Governor of Bayelsa State
* Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Solid Minerals, Transport and Petroleum resources
* MC Aproko, stand-up comedian
*Owoye Andrew Azazi, Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria), Chief of Defense Staff under President Olusegun Obasanjo and National Security Adviser under President Goodluck Jonathan.
* Noah Sarenren Bazee a professional footballer who plays for Bundesliga side Hannover 96.
* Isaac Adaka Boro, Nigerian Civil War hero (Nigerian Army)
* Timi Dakolo, musical artist
* Edmund Daukoru, Nigerian Minister of State for Energy and was Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in 2006, HRM
* Henry Seriake Dickson, former governor and politician
* Alfred Diete-Spiff, former governor of Rivers State, HRM
*Senator Douye Diri is a businessman, politician and lawmaker. He is the current governor of Bayelsa State.
* Tamara Eteimo also known by her stage name Tamara from Angiama, Southern Ijaw local government of Bayelsa state. She is a Nigerian R&B singer-songwriter and actress.
* Dan Etete Minister Minister Petroleum resources
* Finidi George, Super Eagles player
* Daniel Igali, Canadian Olympic gold medalist and world wrestling champion
* Ernest Ikoli, journalist and pre-independence freedom fighter
* Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria
* Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture
*Senator Ben Murray-Bruce represents Bayelsa East Senatorial District at the National Assembly. From Akassa in Bayelsa State of Nigeria.
* Ebikibina Ogborodi, acting registrar of NECO
* Gabriel Okara, novelist and poet
* Melford Okilo, governor of Rivers State
* Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission
* Ebinabo Potts-Johnson was born in Bayelsa state, she is a model and actress.
* Samson Siasia, Super Eagles player and Coach
* Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa state, current Nigeria Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
* Timaya, musical artist
*Patience Torlowei, fashion designer and artist

Diaspora

Due to massive overseas scholarship programs implemented by the old Rivers State in the 1970s and recent Bayelsa State governments, large numbers of Bayelsan professionals reside in Europe and North America. This is part of the general brain-drain trend affecting many African communities.

Education

The major tertiary institutions in Bayelsa state are:

* Niger Delta University
* Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education
* College of Health Sciences
* School of Nursing
* Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science
* Bayelsa Medical University
* University of Africa
* Federal Polytechnic Ekeowe
* International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality
* Federal University Otuoke

Local Government Areas

Bayelsa State consists of eight local government areas:

* Brass
* Ekeremor
* Kolokuma/Opokuma
* Nembe
* Ogbia
* Sagbama
* Southern Ijaw
* Yenagoa

References

External links

Bayelsa State Government HomepageBayelsa State at OnlineNigeria.comExperience Bayelsa Arts and Culture / Visitors GuideBayelsa Council for Arts & CultureAdaka Boro Centre

Azaiki Public Library, Yenagoa

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States of Nigeria
States and territories established in 1996
1996 establishments in Nigeria