Uyo city has witnessed great transformation from a local government headquarters to the status befitting of a modern state capital.
Busy road on Itam market day, Akwa Ibom
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History Akwa Ibom State was created on September 23, 1987 from the former Cross River State. The creation of the state marked the climax of a long sustained struggle for a separate State by the people of the “Mainland” part of the former Cross River State.
Location The State is located 4o 32’ and 5o 53’ North and Longitude 7o 25’ and 8o 25’ East.
Area It covers an area of 8,412 square kilometres. The Atlantic Coastline stretches 129 kilometers from Oron in the East to Ikot Abasi in the West.
Population The population of the State is about four million. The average population density is 463 inhabitants per square kilometres.
Other Major Cities The major cities in the state include: Ikot Ekpene, Eket, Abak, Oron, Ikot Abasi and Etinan.
People The state comprises several related sub-ethnic groups. They include: Ibibio, Annang, Oron, Eket, Ibeno, Mbo, Okobo and the Andonis. They share a common ancestry and are reputed to be the first settlers in present day south eastern Nigeria.
Climate Tropical climate marked by two distinct seasons: the dry season (November – March) and the rainy wet season (April – October). The wet season is usually interrupted by a short dry spell in August often referred to as “August Break.”
Temperature The average temperature of the state ranges from 23 C to 31 C.
Vegetation The state has three distinct vegetation zone: The saline water swamp forest, the fresh water swamp forest and the rain forest.
Mineral Resources The mineral resources in the state include: crude oil, natural gas, limestone, gold, salt, silver nitrate, glass, sand, kaolin.
Akwa Ibom is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered by Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Ebonyi states and the Atlantic Ocean.
Akwa Ibom takes its name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects Akwa Ibom before flowing into the Bight of Bonny.
Akwa Ibom is known for its cultural diversity and language similarities. There are over 20 languages spoken in Akwa Ibom, but the major ones are Ibibio, Anaang, Efik, and Igbo.
Akwa Ibom has a tropical climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season lasts from April to October and the dry season from November to March.
It is home to various tourist attractions such as the Ibom Plaza, the Ibeno Beach, the Stubb’s Creek Forest Reserve, the National Museum of Colonial History, and the Meridien Akwa Ibom golf course.
Akwa Ibom has a vibrant culture and celebrates various festivals such as the New Yam Festival, the Ekpe Masquerade Festival, the Leboku Festival, and the Christmas Carols Festival.
Located in the South Eastern part of the country, Akwa Ibom is a key member of Nigeria’s South South Zone, rich in crude oil, natural gas and a diversity of agricultural produce.
Over 5000 expatriates working for various organisations like Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Elf, the Aluminum Smelter Company, ALSCON, Forrestal, Reynold International and the University of Uyo have found a home here.
Capital City: Uyo
Other Major Cities: Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Ikot Abasi and Oron.
Location: Latitude 4o 32’ and 5o53’ North and Longitude 7o25’ and 8o25 East.
Area: 8,412 square kilometers
Climate: 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 spell in August.
Mean annual rainfall is 2,200mm in the north of the state and 3,500mm in the south of the state.
Sunshine is between 1,400 to 1,500 hours per year. Average temperature range from 23oC to 31oC.
Vegetation: Three easily distinguishable vegetation; the saline water swamp forest, the fresh water swamp forest and the rainforest.
The major industrial crop is the oil palm tree. The Akwa Ibom has the densest groves of oil palm in Nigeria. The Akwa Palm Industries PLC was set up in 1991 to harness the full potential of this crop.
The production of crude palm oil will allow for downstream industries which can refine the oil into vegetable oil, soaps, margarine, glycerin, candles, detergents and numerous other products. The kernel oil is used for the manufacture of high quality toilet soap. Bye product from the oil palm industries are used for the production of livestock feeds.
Although Akwa Ibom is mineral-rich, agriculture is the bedrock of its economy. It employs about 70 percent of the state’s workforce. Most are engaged in subsistent farming. The industrial sector is small and is dominated by government owned companies. The private sector is active in the service areas, although a few industries are privately owned.
At inception, the state inherited a number of companies from Cross River State. These are:
Sunshine Batteries, Essien Udim
Peacock Paint, Etinam
Quality Ceramic Industries, Itu
Qua Steal Products Limited, Eket
Asbestonit Industries, Oron
Plasto – Crown Industries, Uyo
International Biscuits Limited, Ikot Ekpene
Champion Breweries, Uyo
Pamil Industries, Abak
Most of the companies are ailing, becoming a drain on government. As part of the economic policies, these companies are to be revived and privatized. Government is diverting its interest in them in line with overall philosophy to focus on creating an enabling environment for private sector initiatives to flourish.
LGAs in Akwa Ibom State
The LGAs (Local Government Areas) in Akwa Ibom State are:
