Governor Okowa was joined by dignitaries from parts of Delta State and beyond as the state celebrated its 25 years of existence at Delta State Stadium in state capital Asaba today.
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| Delta State Leadership Since 1999 |
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Delta State Leaders
DeltaState was carved out of the former Bendel State on August 27th 1991 . The state was created following agitations for the creation of separate distinct states by the Urhobos and Anioma regions. The then Military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) created the state using the name "Delta" advanced by Niger Delta region as "Asaba" another name advanced by the people of Anioma for the capital of the proposed "Anioma state." Delta state was once integrated in the Mid Western state from 1963 to 1976 and later Bendel state, from 1976 to 1991. The name "Bendel" (Ben-Del) meant Benin-Delta to reflect the integration of Benin and Delta provinces. |
Delta is an oil producing state of Nigeria situated in the region known as the Niger Delta, South-South Geo-political zone with a population of 4,098,291 (Males: 2,674,306 Females: 2,024,085 (see Federal Republic of Nigeria, Official gazette, No. 24, vol. 94, 2007.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Federal Minister of Finance and World Bank Managing Director is from this state. The capital city is Asaba located at the northern end of the state with an estimated area of 762 km2,while Warri is economic nerve of the state and also the most populated located in the southern end of the state. The state has a total land area of 16,842 km2.
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| Delta RIVER ETHIOPE |
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| An urhobo Man |
Historical Development: The area called Delta State was once an integral part of the old Western Region of Nigeria. It became an autonomous entity on August 27, 1991 after having been part of the old Midwestern State (1963 1976) and the defunct Bendel State (1976 1991).
Delta State started with twelve local government areas. These were split further into nineteen local governments on September 27, 1991, and to twentyfive LGAs in 1997. Asaba, located at the northern end of the state, is the capital. A master plan for Asaba Capital Territory, with an estimated area of 762 sq. km and designed to transform Asaba into a modern metrop olis, is being pursued by the state government.
Location: Delta State lies roughly between longitudes 5°00 and 6°45'E and latitudes 5°00 and 6°30'N. It has a total land area of 16,842 sq. km. The states bordering Delta State are Edo to the north, Ondo to the northwest, Anambra to the east and Bayelsa and Rivers to the southeast. On its southern flank is 160 km of the coastline of the Bight of Benin.
Administrative Areas: Delta State currently has twentyfive local government areas. They are: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Bomadi, Burutu, Ethiope East, Ethiope West, lka NorthEast, lka South, Isoko North, Isoko South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West Okpe, Oshimili North Oshimili South, Patani, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Ukwani, Uvwie, Warri North, Warri South and Warri SouthWest.
Administrative Structure: Delta State runs a twotier system of government namely; the state government and the local government administration.
The State Government: There are three arms of government which include the executive council, the legislature and the judiciary. The executive council comprises the Governor, Deputy Governor, seven commissioners, special advisers and the secretary to the state government. The commissioners head the ministries while the directorates and parastatals are organs in the office of the governor and deputy governor, respectively.
The special advisers are assigned responsibilities usually in the following areas: information, paras tatals, education, health, commerce and industry. The Delta State House of Assembly is the leg islative or lawmaking arm of the government. Currently, the membership of the State House of Assembly is fifty.
The Chief Judge of the state heads the state's judiciary. The judiciary is organised around a sys tem of courts, which are of three different kinds namely the High Court, the Magistrates' Court and the Customary Court. There is also a Customary Court of Appeal to hear appeal cases from the Customary Courts.
The Local Government: The second tier of government, is the local government administration. It consists of two arms of government in each of the local government administration. The first, the executive committee comprises the chairman of the local government, the deputy chairman, supervisors and secretary to the local government. The second, the legislative council is the lawmaking arm of the local government. The principal officers of the legislative council are; the speaker, deputy speaker, majority and minority leaders.
People & Culture
Delta State has an estimated population of about 4.2 million with Urhobo, Itesekiri, Ijaw (Izon), Isoko and Anioma (Igbo) as the main ethnic groups. These groups share ancestral and traditional administrative systems, evident in their dress, language, festivals, music and folklore. The people are hospitable, enlightened, resourceful and hardworking.
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| Anioma festival in Asaba |
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Weather/Climate
Delta State is situated in the tropics and therefore experiences a fluctuating climate, ranging from the humid tropical in the south, to the subhumid in the northeast. The lessening of humidity towards the north is accompanied by an increasingly marked dry season. The average rainfall is about 266.5mm in the coastal areas and 190.5mm in the extreme north. Rainfall is heaviest in July. Temperature increases from the south to the north. In Warri, located in the south for example, the average daily temperature is 30°C, while the temperature in Asaba in the north eastern area is 44°C.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Asaba Beach
The beauty of Delta State is held together by the dozens of rivers, streams and creeks which crisscross it. The majestic Niger, one of the most famous rivers of Africa, washes the shores of the capital city, Asaba. Further downstream, it breaks into the dozens of creeks through which it empties itself into the Atlantic. During the dry season, the golden sandbanks of the Niger are a sight to behold and ideal for relaxation.
Abraka Turf & Country Club
This is arguably the only equestrian leisure club in Nigeria and it usually hosts an International Polo Tournament, which takes place annually during Easter weekend. Here visitors can go horse riding or walk along the nature trail above the banks of the Ethiope river, swimming and fishing.
River Ethiope Source
River Ethiope, reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa, has its source at the foot of a giant silk-cotton tree at Umuaja in Ukwuani local government area and it then flows through seven Local Government Areas in the state. By the time it reaches Sapele, it has become deep enough to provide a harbour for ocean-going vessels.
Kwale Game Reserve
This reserve is situated in the low coastal zone of Delta State, characterized by rainforest vegetation and deltaic swamps. It is rich in reptiles and water associated animals, particularly red river hog, sitatunga and a variety of brackish, marine and freshwater fish species.
Jamieson River
A trip up the Jamieson River is a pleasant outing. If you cannot hire a boat it is possible to get to Jamieson River at Sapoda by car, where there is a pleasant picnic spot. The river up stream from Sapoba is beautifully clear and suitable for swimming, although the water is surprisingly very cold.
Chief Nana’s Palace Living History Museum, Koko
This is national monument also known as “koko palace” located at the port of Koko in Warri North, it is a monument that attracts thousands of tourists. It was the residence of Chief Nana Olomu Eborhimi of the Itsekiri tribe, who was a powerful nineteenth century indigenous entrepreneur.
Leisure Paradise Amusement Park, Ekpan
Located in Ekpan, Effurun, it’s a place to head for a family day off around Warri. With a newly built roller coaster, a flying elephant ride and waters slides, it’s great for kids. For the adult there’s the tumbler tower, horse bark riding or one should just take a walk round the park or enjoy a nice drink while listening to cool music.
Olona Ranch & Holiday Resort, Onicha-Olona
The ranch is noted for its traditional African setting with facilities for accommodation, conferences and recreation. The ranch is an ideal place for those who wish to escape the hustling and bustling of city life. Some of its attraction includes, fishing, swimming, bird watching and sumptuous Delta dishes.
Royal Palace, Idumuje-Ugboko
This is the palace of the Obi (traditional ruler) which was built over 150 years ago. Only laterite and traditional construction techniques were used in its construction. The structure and the cultural objects in it are singulary beautiful and historically significant.
Mungo Park House, Asaba
This is a national monument that happened to be the first headquarters of the Royal Niger Company and Nigeria’s first political headquarters in 1900.
Lander Brothers’ Anchorage, Asaba
It was built in memory of the Lander Brothers-Richard and John who anchored at about that spot of the River Niger during the expedition that they took over from Mungo Park. The erected anchorage is, however, not the original one but a replica; the original one is at Aboh. The Lander Brothers are credited with the discovery of the mouth of the River Niger. This led to the opening of the West African trade which eventually replaced slave trade. The anchorage has an information centre and a restaurant.
Expatriate Graveyard, Asaba
This is the resting place of missionaries and colonial workers that came to Asaba on a mission.
Bomadi Beach Party Resort
The Bomadi beach party resort usually takes place on the fascinating sandbanks of the Niger at Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi LGA.
Escarvo Beach
This sandy beach is an exciting and popular site in Escarvos for relaxation and organizing of picnics.
Gordon River Resort, Abraka
The resort is located at Abraka on the road to Benin between Abraka and Obaruku and it is a tourist delight for those who want to get away into the kind of serenity that any african jungle can offer. Facilities here include swimming pool, restaurant, and bar and well furnished chalets, rooms and ssuites
PHOTOS AS DELTA CELEBRATES HER 25YEARS..
