ABOUT AKWA IBOM STATE
HISTORY:
Akwa Ibom State was created on the 23rd of September 1987 by the then Military Administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. The creation of the State brought to fruition years of prolonged struggle by the people that occupied the mainland part of the former Cross River State. For many, the creation of the State was a mark of justice, having been left out in earlier state creation exercises despite leading in the struggle for state creation in Nigeria, through the Ibibio Union, – a foremost So-cio-Cultural organization that served as a unifying platform for the people of this part of Nigeria. In 1948, Ibibio Union, formed in 1928, transformed from a mere cultural association to a goal driven institution which promoted and championed the cause of state creation in Nigeria.
On September 23, 1987, the collective dream of the people was actualized as Akwa Ibom State, the “Land of Promise” was finally created, after about four decades of sustained agitation.
AREA:
Akwa Ibom State currently covers a total land area of 7,249 square kilometers. The area does not take into consideration disputed territories. It is the 10th largest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass.About 13.4 percent of the 960km of Nigeria’s Atlantic Ocean coastline runs through the State.
POLITICAL SETTING:
Akwa Ibom is one of the 36 States in the Nigerian Federation.
The State is divided into 31 local government areas with yo as the State capital. Other major towns include; Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Oron, Abak, Itu, Etinan, Ibeno, etc.
PEOPLE:
The people of Akwa Ibom State are culturally homogenous with a common identity and are reputed to be the first settlers in the present day South Eastern Nigeria. The three major dialectal groups are bibio, Annang and Oron. Other sub groups include Eket, Ibeno, Itu Mbonuso and the Andonis. English is the language of government and business.
POPULATION:
With the annual growth rate of the population projected at 3.4%, the 2016 projected population is estimated at 5,451,277 people as follows; Female: 2,680,687, Male: 2,770,590, Total:5,450,758
VEGETATION:
Akwa Ibom falls within the tropical zone with a dominant vegetation of green foliage of trees and shrubs. It constitutes a major chunk of the nation’s oil-palm belt. The Atlantic coastline stretches 129km from Oron in the East to Ikot Abasi in the West.
The State also has three distinct vegetation zones: the saline water swamp forest, the fresh water swamp forest and the rain forest.
CLIMATE:
Akwa Ibom State has a tropical climate marked by two distinct seasons: The dry season (November – March,) and The Wet season April – October). The wet season is usually interrupted by a short dry period in August. Average temperature of the State ranges from 23 to 31 degrees centigrade.
MAIN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES:
The main economic activities of the people are fishing (for riverine and coastal dwellers), farming (mostly for upland dwellers), trading, artisanship and white-collar services. A robust public sector employs significant proportion of the State labour force.
CULTURE:
Akwa bom is often described as a uni-cultural State where norms, taboos, customs and traditions are the same. The folkways may vary from one ethnic grouping to another, but the operational cultural norms are basically the same all over the State. The cultural similarities bind the people together especially in such areas as cuisines, dressing, dances, songs, rituals, folklores, beliefs and myths. Almost all aspects of its culture have potentials to provide fascinating experiences for tourists and for investment opportunities.
