History of Cross River State Nigeria
The European Queen visited the old Calabar on 10 September 1884, she signed a Treaty protection with the King and chief of Akwa Akpa. The United Kingdom demonstrated authority over the entire Areas around Calabar.
History of Cross River State
Cross River State came into existence on May 27, 1967 from the former Eastern part in Nigeria, during the reign of General Yakubu Gowon. The name was referred to as Cross River State in the year 1976. General Murtala Mohammed ruled in South Eastern State.
The State is found in the South-South region where Calabar is the capital. Cross River State was brought out from Niger Delta. Cross River is surrounded by different States, country and ocean. There is Benue State to the North, Ebonyi and Abia States to the West, Cameroon Republic to the East, Akwa-Ibom State to the South and the Atlantic Ocean. The theme of this State is “The People’s Paradise”.
Ethnic Group in Cross River State
The major languages are Efik and Ibibo which are commonly used in communication between the Cross River inhabitants. There are other languages such as, Ekoi, Etung, Boki, Bechevei. English Language is an official language. About religion, Christian are about 80% while 20% are Traditionism.
Cross River State Tribes
- Efik
- Ejagham
- Bekwara
- Bette
- Yala
- Igede
- Ukelle
- Yakurr
- Boki
- Agbo
- Bahumono
- Bechevei
- ibibo
Cross River state Population
Cross River State population was recorded in the national census board in the Year 2006 as 2,892,988. The area is about 20,156km² (7,782sqmin)
Local Government Areas in Cross River State
The Cross River state has eighteen Local Government Areas;
- Abi
- Akamkpa
- Akpabuyo
- Bakassi
- Bekwara
- Biase
- Boki
- Calabar Municipal
- Calabar South
- Etung
- Ikom
- Obanliku
- Obubra
- Obudu
- Odukpani
- Ogojo
- Yakurr
- Yala
Major towns in Cross River State
- Akampa
- Biase
- Calabar South
- Ikom
- Obubara
- Odukpani
- Ogoja
- Ugep
- Obudu
- Obanliku
- Akpabuyo
- Ofu top
- Iso-bendeghe
- Boji
Cross River State Map
Economy of Cross River State
Cross River State inhabitants are well known for crafting, wood carving, stone sculpture, raffia, cane works, pottery and Silver works which they import and export. This State is also blessed with mineral resources such as; limestone, titanium, tin, ore, ceramic raw materials and Hard Stone.
Occupation in Cross River State
The Cross River State inhabitants are mostly into farming of crops. Main crops include cassava, yams, rice, plantain, banana, cocoyam, maize, cocoa, groundnut oil and palm oil produce. Others are into fishing.
Wards in Cross River State
| Wards | |
| Abi | Adadama,Afanyi/Igonigoni,Ebom,Ediba,Ekureku I,Ekureku ii,Imabana I,Imabanii,Itigidi,Usumutong |
| Akamkpa
| Akamkpa Urban Awi,Eku,Iko ,Ikpai, Mbarakom,Oban,Ojuk North, Ojuk South, Uyanga |
| Akpabuyo
| Atimbo East, Atimbo West, Eneyo, Ikot Eyo , Idumdu/anyanganse, Ikang Central,Ikang North, Ikang South, Ikot Edem Odo, Ikot Nakanda |
| Bakassi | Abana, Akpankanya, Akwa, Ambai Ekpa, Amoto,Archibong, Atai Ema, Efut Inwang, Ekpot Abia, Odiong |
| Bekwarra
| Abuo Chiche, Afrike Ochagbe, Afrike Okpeche, Beten, Gakem, Ibiaragidi, Nyanya, Otukpuru, Ugboro, Ukpah |
| Biase | Abayong, Adim, Akpet/ Abini, Agwagune/Okurike,Biakpan,Ehom, Erei North, Erei South, Ikun/Etono, Umon North, Umon South |
| Boki | Abo, Alankwe, Beebo/Bumaji, Boje Buda, Bunyia/Okubuchi, Ekpashi, Kakkwagom/BawopOgep/Osokom, Oku/Borum/Njua |
| Calabar Municipal
| Calabar Municipal i, Calabar Municipal ii, Calabar Municipal iii, Calabar Municipal iv, Calabar Municipal ix, Calabar Municipal v, Calabar Municipal vi, Calabar Municipal vii, Calabar Municipal viii, Calabar Municipal x |
| Calabar South | Eight, Eleven,Five, Four, Nine, One, Seven, Six, Ten |
| Etung | Abia,Abijang,Agbokim,Ajassor,Bendeghe Ekiem,Etomi,Effraya, Itaka, Mkpot/Ayuk Aba, Nsofang |
| Ikom | Abanyum,Akparabong,Ikom Urban I, Ikom Urban ii, Nde, Nnam,n Nta/Nselle, Ofutop,Olulumo, Yala/Nkum |
| Obubra
| Ababene, Apiapum, Iyamoyong, Obubra Urban, Ochon, Ofat, Yala Ofodua, Ofumbongha/Osopong I, Osopong ii, Ovonum |
| Obudu | Alege/Ubang, Angiaba/Begiaka, Begiading, Ipong, Obudu Urban I, Obudu Urban ii, Ukpe, Utugwang central, Utugwang North, Utugwang South |
| Odukpani
| Adiabo/Efuf, Akamkpa, Creek Town I, Creek Town ii, Eki, Eniong, Ikoneto, Ito/ idere/Ukwa, Obomitiat/Mbiabo/Ediong |
| Obanliku
| Basang, Bebi,Becheve, Bendi I, Bend ii, Bishiri North, Bishiri South, Bisu, Busi, Utanga |
| Ogoja | Ekaju I, Ekaju ii, Mbube East I, Mbube West I, Mbube West ii, Nkum Iborr, Nkum Iborr, Nkum Irede, Ogoja Urban I, Ogoja Urban ii |
| Yakurr
| Abanakpai, Aferkpe/ekpenti, Ajere, Assiga, Biko Biko, Idomi, Ijiman, Ijom, Ikpakapit, Inyima, Mkpan/agoi, Nkpolo/ukpawen, Ntan |
| Yala | Echumofana, Gabu, Iijraga, Njrigom/Mfuma, Okpoma, Okuku, Wanihem, Wanikade, Yache, Yahe |
Cross River State Festivals and Culture
- Christmas festival celebrated annually in the last month of every year
- Carnival float done yearly between December 26th and 27th
- Yakurr Leboku Yam festival every 28th of August
- Anong Bahumono festival at Anong village
The Cross River State is rich in culture and heritage which is reflected in their lifestyle, music and dance. There are five types of dance steps in Cross River State,including;
- Ikpobin
- Ekoi
- Obam
- Emukei
- Etangala
Tourism- Interesting Places in Cross River
- Calabar Zoo
- National Museum Monument
- Ekpe Masquerade cultural
- Rocks with foot prints National
- Drill Ranch
- Cross River National Park Eco Tousle wild life
- Obudu cattle Ranch Resort
- Agbokm falls
- Ikom Natural
- Kwa falls at Yala local government area
- Natural River
Read Also>>>History of Benue State<<<
The Government of Cross River State
Cross River Government has three Arms of Government:
- The Executive Arm
- The Legislative Arm
- The Judicial Arm
The Executive Arm
This Arm is headed by the State governor assisted by the commissioners who the governor appoints to head different departments of the State. BENEDICT AYADE is the present governor of Cross River State.
The Legislative Arm
This is the State house of Assembly in Cross River State. it is made up of 25 members voted by the people of the 25 constituencies in the State. JOHN GAUL LEBOI is the present speaker of the State Assembly.
The Judicial Arm
This Arm of the State is headed by the chief judge of the State to ensure justice in all areas. Justice MICHAEL EDEM is the present chief Judge of the State.
Senatorial Zones in Cross River State
The Zone in Cross River State are divided into three zones, where the local government areas are grouped, they are
- Cross River Central
- Cross River South
- Cross River North
Cross River Central
This comprises of six local government areas in Cross River State they are grouped under it.
Cross River South
This comprises of six local government areas in Cross River State they are grouped under it.
Cross River North
This comprises of six local Government areas in Cross River State, they are grouped under it.
| Senatorial Districts | Local Government |
| Cross River Central
| Abi, Boki, Etung, Obubra Yakurr, Ikom |
| Cross River South | Calabar Municipal, Calabar south, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo Bakassi, odukpani |
| Cross River North | Bekwara, Obanliku, Obudu Ogoja, Yala, Baise |
