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”.
READ ALSO>>>History of Plateau State<<<
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
Wards in Rivers State
| LGAs | Wards |
| Etche | Afara,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 Harcourt | Abuloma/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 |
| Omuma | Ariramiri/Owuahia community,Eberi Dikeomua community, Obibi/Ajulokecommunity, Obiohia community, Ofeh community, Ohimogho community, Oyoro, Umuajuloke community, Umuogba i community, Umuogba ii community |
| Ikwerre | Aluu, Apani, Elele i, Elele ii, Igwuruta, Isiokpo i, Isiokpo ii, Omademe/Ipo, Ubima , Omagwa, merelu, Ozuaha, Umuanawa |
| Okrika | Kalio, 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/Bolo | Bolo iv, Bolo i, Bolo ii, Bolo iii, Ele, Ogu i, Ogu ii, Ogu iii, Ogu vi, Ogu v, Wakama |
| Emohua | Egbeda, Elele Alimini, Emohua i,Emohua ii, Ibaa, Obelle, Odegu i, Odegu ii, Ogbakiri i, Ogbakiri ii, Ubimini,Omudioga/Akpabu, Rumuepe, Rundele |
| Ahoada East | Ahoada iv, Ahoada ii, Ahoada iiii, Ahoada i, Akoh i, Akoh ii, Upata i, Upata ii, Upata iii, Upata iv, Upata v, Upata vi |
| Asari Toru | Buguma 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 west | Ebiro i, Ebiro ii, Igbuduya i, Igbuduya ii, Igbuduya iii, Igbuduya iv, Joinkrama, Okarki, Ubie i, Ubie ii, Ubie iii, Ubie iv |
| Akuku Toru | Alisa 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 |
| Degema | Bakana 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/Odual | Abua iv, Abua ii, Abua i, Abua iii, Agada, Akani, Anyu, Emago Kugbo, Emelego, Emughan ii, Emughan i, Okpeden, Otapha |
| Bonny | Ward 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 |
| Khana | Baen/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/Nkoro | Dappaye Amakiri i, Dappaye Amakiri ii, Diepiri, Jaja, Nkoro i, Nkoro ii, Nkoro iii,Ukonu Kalaibiama i, Kalaibiama ii, Queens town Kalama |
| Andoni | Agwut Obolo, Ekede, Asarsma, Ataba i,Ataba ii, Ikuru town, Ngo town, Samanga, Unyeada i, Unyeada ii Unye – Gala |
| Oyigbo | Asa,Azuogu,Obete,Obeakpu, Komkom, Ogberu, Okoloma, Oyigbo west, Oyigbo Central,Umuagbai |
| Eleme | Agbonchia, Akpajo, Alesa, Aleto,Alode,Ebubu,Ekporo, Eteo, Ogale, Onne |
| Tai | Ward 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) |
| Gokana | B-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
| Zones | LGAs |
| Rivers East
| Etche, Omuuma, Ikwerre, Obio Akpor, Port Harcourt, Okirka, Ogu Bolo, Emohua |
| Rivers South-East | Opobo/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
