History of Rivers State Nigeria

Rivers State is situated in south-south region of Nigeria in which the inland area of the state comprises of tropical rainforest towards the coast. The state is formed out of the Eastern region in 1967 with its capital in Port Harcourt. Rivers State is split into twenty-three local government areas, grouped under three senatorial districts Zones. It has borders with (south) Atlanic Ocean, (north) Anambra, Imo and Abia States, (East) Akwa Ibom State, (West) Bayelsa and Delta States.

History of Rivers State

Rivers State came into existence on 27th May 1967 by the regime of General Yakubu Gowon. This State was carved out of Bayelsa State in 1996, from the decree of the Military reign. Rivers that is an oil State for most oil companies like Apc(were Rigs on the Ocean) , is named after many rivers that has boundaries and its territory. The territory known as Rivers a state is a part of oil Rivers Protectorate from 1885-1893, in 1900 the areas were joined with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger company to create the colony of the southern Nigeria. This State is referred as “Treasure Base of the Nation”. Port Harcourt is called “Garden City”.

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Ethnic Groups in Rivers State

There are four major languages in Rivers State which are; Ikwerre, Ijaw, Kana, Gokana and other minor groups are, Abua, Andoni, Ekpeye, Kalabari, Ndoni, Okrika, Ogoni, Engenni, Etche, Ibani etc. these groups has been in centuries before the state came into existence.

Rivers state is rich in culture, heritage, friendly and hospitality. It is on recorded that Port Harcourt is the second biggest commercial, agriculture and busiest Airport & seaport in Nigeria. There are also oil produces

Rivers State Population 2019/2020

The national census Board recorded Rivers State in the year 2006 a total number of -5,198,716. The area of the state is 11077km²

Map of Rivers State

Rivers State Map
Rivers State Map

Wards in Rivers State

LGAsWards
EtcheAfara,Mba,Egbu, Akpoku/  Umuoye, Akwa/ Odogwa,

Egwi/Opiro, Igbo i, Igbo ii, Igbo iii, Igbodo, Ndashi, Nihi, Obite, Okehi, Obidi/ Akwukabi, Owu, Ozuzu, Ulakwo

Port HarcourtAbuloma/Amadi-ama, Diobu, Elekahia,Oroabali,

Mgbundukwu (one), Ogbunabali,Mgbundukwu II, Orogbum, Nkpolu Oroworukwo 2, Nkpolu Oroworukwo 1, Oroworukwo, Ochiri/ Rumukalagbor,Oromineke/ Ezimgbu,Port Harcourt Township, Port Harcourt Township vi,PortHarcourt  vii, Rumuibekwe ward,

Rumuweji 1, Rumuweji 2,

Rumuweji 3

OmumaAriramiri/Owuahia community,Eberi

Dikeomua community, Obibi/Ajulokecommunity,

Obiohia community, Ofeh community, Ohimogho community, Oyoro, Umuajuloke community, Umuogba i community, Umuogba ii community

IkwerreAluu, Apani, Elele i, Elele ii, Igwuruta, Isiokpo i, Isiokpo ii, Omademe/Ipo, Ubima , Omagwa, merelu,

Ozuaha, Umuanawa

OkrikaKalio, Ogan, Ogoloma

i, Ogoloma ii, Ogoloma iii, Okrika  i, Okrika  ii, Okrika  iii, Okrika   iv, Okrika   v,

Okrika   vi, Okrika  vii

Obio/

Akpor

Choba, Elelenwo (3b),

OroIgwe,Ozuoba/Ogbogoro, Rukpoku,Rumueme (7a), Rumueme (7b), Rumueme (7c) Rumueme (8a), Rumuokwuta (8b), Rumuodara, Woji, Rumuodomaya (3a),

Rumuokoro, Rumuokwu (2b), Rumolumasi, Rumolumeni

Ogu/BoloBolo iv, Bolo i, Bolo ii,

Bolo iii, Ele, Ogu  i, Ogu ii, Ogu iii, Ogu vi, Ogu v, Wakama

EmohuaEgbeda, Elele Alimini,

Emohua i,Emohua ii, Ibaa, Obelle, Odegu i, Odegu  ii, Ogbakiri  i, Ogbakiri  ii, Ubimini,Omudioga/Akpabu, Rumuepe, Rundele

Ahoada EastAhoada iv, Ahoada ii,

Ahoada iiii, Ahoada i,

Akoh i, Akoh ii, Upata i, Upata ii, Upata iii, Upata iv, Upata v, Upata vi

Asari ToruBuguma east  i, Buguma east  ii, Buguma north east,Buguma  south east ,

Buguma east  west, Buguma north west ii,

Buguma north west  i,

Buguma south, Buguma south west,Isaia group i, Isia group ii, West central group

Ahoada westEbiro i, Ebiro ii, Igbuduya  i, Igbuduya ii, Igbuduya iii, Igbuduya iv, Joinkrama, Okarki, Ubie i, Ubie  ii, Ubie  iii, Ubie iv
Akuku ToruAlisa group,Briggs i,Briggs ii, Briggs iii, Georgewill  i, George will ii, Georgewil iii, Jack  i, Jack ii, Jack iii, Kula i, Kula ii, Manuel i, Manuel ii, Manuel iii, North/south group, Obonoma
DegemaBakana vi, Bakana  i,

Bakana iii, Bakana ii,

Bakana v, Bakana  vi,

Bille, Bukuma, Degema  i, Degema ii, Degema iii, Ke/old Bakana, Obuama, Tombia  i, Tombia ii, Tombia iii, Tombia vi

Ogba/

Egbema/

Ndoni

Egbema  i, Egbema  ii,

Egi  i, Egi ii, Egi iii, Egi iv, Igburu, Ndoni  i, Ndoni  ii, Ndoni  iii, Omoku town i, Omoku town ii, Omoku town vi, (Usomini), Omoku town V, Omoku town(Obieti), Usomini  i (north), Usomini ii (south)

Adual/OdualAbua  iv, Abua ii, Abua i, Abua  iii, Agada, Akani, Anyu, Emago  Kugbo, Emelego, Emughan  ii,

Emughan  i, Okpeden, Otapha

BonnyWard i  Oro Igwe, Ward ii court/Ada Allison, Ward iii Orosiriri, Ward iv New layout, Ward ix Nanable, Ward v Finima, Ward  vii Dema Abbey, Ward vi Abalamabie,WardXOloma Ayaminima, Ward xi Peterside, Ward  xii Kalaibiama
KhanaBaen/Kpean/Duburo, Bane, Bargha, Beeri, Bori, Boue, Gwara/Kaa/ Eken, Kaani, Kono/Kwawa,

Lueku/Nyokuru, Lorre/ Luebe/Kpaa, Okwali, Opuoko/Kalaoko, Sil/ Betem/KaniBabbe,Sogho,Taabaa, Ueghere, Zaa Kpong Wiliyaakara,

Opobo/NkoroDappaye  Amakiri  i, Dappaye  Amakiri   ii,

Diepiri, Jaja, Nkoro  i,

Nkoro  ii, Nkoro  iii,Ukonu

Kalaibiama  i, Kalaibiama   ii, Queens town Kalama

AndoniAgwut Obolo, Ekede, Asarsma, Ataba  i,Ataba  ii, Ikuru  town, Ngo  town, Samanga, Unyeada  i,

Unyeada  ii  Unye – Gala

OyigboAsa,Azuogu,Obete,Obeakpu,  Komkom, Ogberu, Okoloma, Oyigbo  west, Oyigbo Central,Umuagbai
ElemeAgbonchia, Akpajo, Alesa, Aleto,Alode,Ebubu,Ekporo, Eteo, Ogale, Onne
TaiWard  i (Botem/Gbene Ue) Ward ii  (Kpite), Ward  iii, (Korokoro), Ward  iv  Koroma /Horo, Ward  ix  Nanabie, Ward  v (Kira/ Borobara),  Ward  vi (Gio/ Kporghor/Gbam),Ward  vii (Nonwa), Ward  viii (Barayira/Bara Ale/Sime), Ward  x (Ban Ogoi)
GokanaB-Dere, Bera, Biara ii, Bodo i, Bodo ii, Bodo  iii, Bomu  ii, Bomu  i,  K-Dere  i,K-Dere ii,Deken/Deeyor/ Nwenbiara,Kpor/Lewe/Gbe,Mogho,Nweol/Goko/Barako, Yeghe  i, Yeghe ii

Economy of Rivers State

Rivers State is a green land pasture they are mostly based on Agriculture as a source of livelihood. This helps to boost the economy of the state by providing employment for secondary school leavers and university graduates.

The agricultural activities are Fishing Scheme, Livestock scheme, farming scheme and Rabbi try. Furthermore, Rivers State is well known for production of oil and gas. A total percentage 40% of Nigeria’s oil (crude oil and natural gas) is gotten from Rivers State. There are many oil companies (petrochemical) residing in the State.

Important Cities and Towns in Rivers State

  • Port Harcourt
  • Bonny
  • Degema
  • Ahoada
  • Okrika
  • Opobo
  • Gokana

The Government in Rivers State

Rivers State government is divided into three arms, namely;
The Executive Arm
This is headed by the elected governor of the State, assisted by those he appoints to work with Him in the State government. NYESOM EZENWO WIKE is the current governor of Rivers State.

The Legislative Arm

They convene at Rivers State House Assembly in Port-Harcourt. This comprises of 23 members elected by the people of the 23 constituencies of Rivers State. IKUINYI OWAJI IBANI is the speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.

The Judicial Arm

This is headed by the chief judge of the State. Justice ADAMA IYAYI-LAMIKANRA is the current judge of Rivers State

Senatorial District Zones in Rivers State

The State has twenty-three Local Government Areas grouped under the Three units which are the Senatorial Districts Zones.

  • Rivers East
  • Rivers South-East
  • Rivers West
ZonesLGAs
Rivers East

 

Etche, Omuuma, Ikwerre, Obio Akpor, Port Harcourt, Okirka, Ogu Bolo, Emohua
Rivers South-EastOpobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Oyigbo, Tai, Eleme, Gokana, Khana
Rivers

West

 

Asari Toru, Akuku Toru, Degema, Bonny, Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni,Abua-Oduai, Ahoada East, Ahoada West

Tourism-Interesting Places to Visit in Rivers State

  • Biseni Forest@ Ahoada
  • Mile 1Market
  • Stella’s Bar
  • Upper Orashi Forest Reserve @Ahoada LGA
  • Finima Beach and Nature Park@ small town Bonny
  • Bonny Island
  • Statute of King Jaja of Opobo
  • Culture center, Port Harcourt @bonny street
  • Zoological Garden @ Port Harcourt
  • Rivers State Museum
  • Isaka Holiday Resort
  • Isaac Boro Garden Park@ Motor park south end Aba road
  • Port Harcourt Tourist Beach

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