Industrial potentials of Ondo and a list of some industries in the state

Industrialization is rapidly taking place in the state. At present, the major industrial ventures include the Okitipupa Oil Palm Mill Plc at Okitipupa, NIROWI at Ondo, Cocoa Products Company Ltd. at Ile-Oluji and Oluwa Glass Company Plc at Igbokoda. Others include the Nigerian-Italian Ceramics Factory at Ifon, Alpha Paper Industries at Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State Asphalt Company at Aponmu, Araromi-Ayesan Oil Palm Plc at Araromi-Obu and Foam Industry at Akure, to mention but a few.

A survey has shown that the number of private establishments employing more than five people and above is on the increase. While in 1980, the number of the latter was about 960 by 1992, the number was more than 2,830, with Akure having over 950. By September 1999, it is estimated to have grown to over 3,500 with Akure having over 2,000.

List of some Industries in Ondo State

NAME OF INDUSTRYLOCATION
Golden Ceramic Products Ltd.Ifon, Ose Local Govt.
Alpha 3DIkare Akoko, Akoko N/E
Cassava Starch/Flour \PlantOba Akoko S/W
Owena Int. Hotel LimitedAkure, Akure South
Ondo State Asphalt CompanyAkure, Akure South
Owena Mass Transportation Company Ltd.Akure, Akure South
Cocoa Catalytic Processing IndustryAlade-Idanre, Idanre Local Govt.
Briquette Manufacturing PlantAkure, Akure South
Home and Office Industry Ltd.Akure, Akure South
Oluwa Glass PlcIgbokoda, Ilaje LG
Okitipupa Oil Palm PlcOkitipupa, Okitipupa LG
Araromi/Ayesan Oil Palm PlcAraromi-Obu Odigbo LG
Ore/Irele Oil Palm PlcIrele, Irele LG
Cocoa Products CompanyIle-Oluji IleOluji/Okeigbo
Cassava Starch/flour plant SunshineIkoya, Okitipupa LG
Denki Wire & CableAkure
Dexso FurnitureAkure

Ondo is a state in Nigeria.

Official Name
Ondo State of Nigeria

Appellation
Sunshine State

Date of Creation
February, 1976

State Capital
Akure

Festivals
Ogun, Olokun, Igogo, Egungan, Ajagbo, Orosun, Arigiya, Boat Regatta and Mare.

Population
3,460,877 comprising 1,745.057 Male and 1,715,820 female(as at 2006)

Languages
Yoruba, Ijaw and English (Official Language) and several dialects of the sub-groups.

People
The indigenes are predominantly Yoruba namely: the Akoko, Akure, Apoi, Idanre, Ijaw, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo and the Owo. Ondo crop of educated elites has led to its being classified as one of the most educationally advanced states in Nigeria. The people are mostly subsistence farmers, fishermen and traders.

The life pattern of the people represents an embodiment of culture, ranging from the local foodstuff to the mode of dressing, dancing, wood crafts, such as carved house post and decorated doors. The Culture of Ondo State people speaks volume. Antiquities and artifacts are also preserved in palaces of traditional rulers some of which have been declared as National Monuments.

Location
The state lies between longitudes 4″30″ and 6″ East of the Greenwich Meridian, 5″45″ and 8″ 15″ North of the Equator. This means that the state lies entirely in the tropics.

18 Local Government Areas
Ondo State, made up of 18 Local Government Areas is located in the South Western Zone of Nigeria.

Boundaries
Ondo state is bounded in the North by Ekiti/Kogi State; in the East by Edo State; in the West by Oyo and Ogun States and in the South by the Atlantic Ocean.

Land Area:
14,788.723 square kilometers.

Vegetation
The state enjoys generally, luxuriant vegetation. A high forest zone (or rain forest) is found in the south, while the northern fringesis mostly sub- savannah forest.

Climate
The climate is tropical with two distinct seasons viz the rainy season (April-October) and the Dry season (November-March). The temperature through out the year ranges from 21C-29C while humidity is relatively high. The annual rain fall varies from 2.000mm in the southern parts to 1150mm in the northern areas. The rainfall decreases in amount and distribution from the coast to the hinterland.

Natural resources
Extensive fertile soil suitable for agriculture with sub- savannah forest suitable for cattle gazing in the Northern fringes. Vast forest resources, variety of timber species e.g Teak, Gmelina, Masionia e.t.c. Ondo State is the largest producer of Cocoa in Nigeria. Other cash crops grown in the state include rubber, cashew, kolanut, palm oil etc.

Mineral resources
Oil and Gas; Ondo State produces 12% of Nigeria’s total output, other mineral resources found in the state are quartz sand, clay, granite, limestone talc, kaoline, coal, columbite, rock, tin, bitumen. ( the second largest deposit in the world ) many rivers, ocean fronts, and the longest coast line in Nigeria.

Tourism sites
Idanre hill tourism centre at idanre Mountain Climbing and cultural festival (Mare) that holds every December in idanre. Ebomi lake at Ipesi in Akoko South East Local Government Area, coast creeks and canals, Igb Olodumare at Oke igbo, iho-Eleeru (cave of ashes) at Isarun in Ifedore Local Government Area

System of government
Constitutional democracy in a Federal Republic with elected Executive and Legislature and an Independent Judiciary.