Cross River State
Encyclopedia
Cross River State is a coastal state in southeastern Nigeria
, bordering Cameroon
to the east. Its capital is at Calabar
, and it is named for the Cross River (Oyono)
, which passes through the state. Ejagham
and Efik
are major languages of this state, but the Igbo
tribe and language are also present in its western land borders.
Cross River State was created on May 27, 1967 from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria
by the General Yakubu Gowon
regime. Its name was changed to Cross River State in the 1976 state creation exercise by the then General Murtala Mohammed regime from South Eastern State. The present day Akwa Ibom State was excised from it in the state creation exercise of September 1987 by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Its capital is Calabar
. Its major towns are Akamkpa
, Biase
, Calabar South
, Ikom
, Obubra
, Odukpani
, Ogoja
, Ugep
, Obudu
, Obanliku
and Akpabuyo
.
The state has been governed by lots of previous Governors and Administrators which included Udoakaha.J.Esuene, Paul Omu, Tunde Elegbede, Clement Isong, Donald Etiebet, Daniel Archibong, Ibim Princewill, Ernest Atta, Clement Ebri, Ibrahim Kefas, Gregory Agboneni,Umar Faoruk Ahmed, Christopher Osondu and Donald Duke
.The present governor Liyel Imoke
has been the state governor since May 29, 2007-July 14, 2008 and from August 26, 2008 to date.
is widely spoken in Cross River State, and as far as Arochukwu
in neighboring Abia state
.
The Efik-speaking people live mainly in the Calabar Municipality and Calabar South LGAs, in Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Odukpani, and in parts of Akamkpa LGA. There is also the Qua community in Calabar, which speaks Ejagham. The main Ejagham group occupies mostly the northern sections of the State. The other groups north of Calabar are known as the Ekoi's. The Ekoi's are the peoole of Biase in Biase LGA,part of Akampka LGA (i.e. Oban) and the Bahumono in Abi LGA.
There is also the Yakurr/Agoi ethnic group in Yakurr LGA, while the Mbembe are predominantly found in Obubra LGA. Further up the core northern part of the state are several sub-dialectical groups, among which are Etung, Olulumo, Ofutop, Nkim/Nkum, Abanajum, Nseke and Boki
in both Ikom, Etung and Boki LGAs. Also, the Yala/Yache, Ukelle, Ekajuka, Mbube, Bette, Bekwarra and Utugwanga people are found in Ogoja, Yala, Obudu and Obanliku LGA's.
Cross River State epitomises the nation's linguistic and cultural plurality and it is important to note that, in spite of the diversity of dialects, all the indigenous languages in the state have common linguistic roots as Niger–Congo languages
.
to mix business with pleasure, there are many festivals. These festivals bring in tourists from far and wide into the state to enjoy themselves and also do business in the state. These festivals include The Cross River State Christmas Festival,which promises to be an event that will rival any festival events in Africa, with over 30 days of endless fun, carnival, games, cultural display, art exhibition, pageant and music performance. This year's Christmas event and Carnival promise to be the best.
Another Interesting Festival in cross River state is Anong Bahumono Festival which holds in Anong Village, during which different cultural dances are showcased, including Ikpobin (acclaimed to be the most entertaining dance in the state), Ekoi, Obam, Emukei and Etangala Dances.
to the Rain forests of Afi, from the Waterfalls of Agbokim and Kwa to the spiralling ox-bow Calabar River
which provides sights and images of the Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar Marina, Calabar Residency Museum and the Calabar Slave Park along its course, there is always a thrilling adventure awaiting the eco-tourist visiting Cross River State.
Other tourist attractions are the Ikom Monoliths
(a series of volcanic-stone monoliths of unknown age), the Mary Slessor Tomb, Calabar Drill Monkey Sanctuary, Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain walkway canopy, Kwa falls, Agbokim waterfalls, Tinapa Business Resort and the annual Calabar Carnival
that takes place during the Christmas period.
Cross River State can be accessed by air through the Margaret Ekpo International Airport
at Calabar. There are daily flights to Calabar from Lagos and Abuja serviced by airlines such as Virgin Nigeria, Arik Airlines and Aero Contractors. Aero Contractors also have flights to the Bebi airstrip at Obudu for trips to the Obudu Mountain Resort.
Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is now the leading tourism city of Nigeria. Visitors from different parts of Nigeria come to the city in large numbers all year around.
, the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture
in Obubra
and The Polytechnic, Calabar.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, bordering Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
to the east. Its capital is at Calabar
Calabar
Calabar is a city in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. The original name for Calabar was Atakpa, from the Jukun language....
, and it is named for the Cross River (Oyono)
Cross River (Nigeria)
Cross River is the main river in southeastern Nigeria and gives its name to Cross River State.It originates in Cameroon, where it takes the name of the Manyu River....
, which passes through the state. Ejagham
Ekoid languages
The Ekoid languages are a dialect cluster, such as Ekajuk and Ejagham , spoken principally in southeastern Nigeria and in adjacent regions of Cameroon. They have long been associated with the Bantu languages, without their status being precisely defined...
and Efik
Efik language
Efik , also known as Riverain Ibibio, is the native language of the Efik people of Nigeria, where it is a national language. It is the official language of the Cross River State in Nigeria.The name Efik is also used for Ibibio-Efik....
are major languages of this state, but the Igbo
Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
tribe and language are also present in its western land borders.
History
Cross River State is a coastal state in South Eastern Nigeria, named after the Cross River, which passes through the state. Located in the Niger Delta, Cross River State occupies 20,156 square kilometers. It shares boundaries with Benue State to the north, Enugu and Abia States to the west, to the east by Cameroon Republic and to the south by Akwa-Ibom and the Atlantic Ocean.Cross River State was created on May 27, 1967 from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria
Eastern Region, Nigeria
The Eastern Region was one of Nigeria's federal divisions, dating back originally from the division of the colony Southern Nigeria in 1954. Its capital was Enugu. The region was official divided in 1967 into three new states, East-Central State, Rivers State and South-Eastern State...
by the General Yakubu Gowon
Yakubu Gowon
General Yakubu "Jack" Dan-Yumma Gowon was the head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. He took power after one military coup d'etat and was overthrown in another...
regime. Its name was changed to Cross River State in the 1976 state creation exercise by the then General Murtala Mohammed regime from South Eastern State. The present day Akwa Ibom State was excised from it in the state creation exercise of September 1987 by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Its capital is Calabar
Calabar
Calabar is a city in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. The original name for Calabar was Atakpa, from the Jukun language....
. Its major towns are Akamkpa
Akamkpa
Akamkpa is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Akamkpa.It has an area of 5,003 km² and a population of 151,125 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 542....
, Biase
Biase
Biase is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Akpet Central.It has an area of 1,310 km² and a population of 169,183 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 542....
, Calabar South
Calabar South
Calabar South is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Anantigha.It has an area of 264 km² and a population of 191,630 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 540....
, Ikom
Ikom
Ikom is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ikom in the east of the area on the Cross River and the A4 highway at.It has an area of 1,961 km² and a population of 162,383 at the 2006 census....
, Obubra
Obubra
Obubra is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Obubra, which is home to the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture....
, Odukpani
Odukpani
Odukpani is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. It is largely populated by Efik people.President Olusegun Obasanjo announced in March 2006 that a 561 megawatt gas turbine power station was to be opened at Ikot Nyong in the LGA....
, Ogoja
Ogoja
Ogoja is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is Ogoja town in the northeast of the area near the A4 highway at.It has an area of 972 km² and a population of 171,901 at the 2006 census....
, Ugep
Ugep
Ugep is a town in Cross River State, southern Nigeria.The village is populated by the Yakurr people.The Leboku New Yam festival is celebrated in Ugep....
, Obudu
Obudu
Obudu is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria, a hotspot in Nigeria's tourism.The area features a tourist resort, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, which also hosts an annual race in the hilly surroundings – the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race.The town of Obudu is downstream from the...
, Obanliku
Obanliku
Obanliku is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sankwala.It has an area of 1,057 km² and a population of 110,324 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 552....
and Akpabuyo
Akpabuyo
Akpabuyo is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ikot Nakanda.It has an area of 1,241 km² and a population of 271,395 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 541....
.
The state has been governed by lots of previous Governors and Administrators which included Udoakaha.J.Esuene, Paul Omu, Tunde Elegbede, Clement Isong, Donald Etiebet, Daniel Archibong, Ibim Princewill, Ernest Atta, Clement Ebri, Ibrahim Kefas, Gregory Agboneni,Umar Faoruk Ahmed, Christopher Osondu and Donald Duke
Donald Duke
Donald Duke was the Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He received LLB degree in 1982 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Nigeria, the B.L in 1983 from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and the L.L.M...
.The present governor Liyel Imoke
Liyel Imoke
Liyel was elected governor of Cross River State in Nigeria in April 2007, taking office on 29 May 2007. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party .-Background:...
has been the state governor since May 29, 2007-July 14, 2008 and from August 26, 2008 to date.
Demographics
The State is composed of three major ethnic groups: the Efik, the Ejagham, and the Bekwarra. The Efik languageEfik language
Efik , also known as Riverain Ibibio, is the native language of the Efik people of Nigeria, where it is a national language. It is the official language of the Cross River State in Nigeria.The name Efik is also used for Ibibio-Efik....
is widely spoken in Cross River State, and as far as Arochukwu
Arochukwu
Arochukwu, sometimes referred to as Arochuku, or Aro-Okigbo, is the third largest city in Abia State in southeastern Nigeria and homeland of the Igbo subgroup, Aro people....
in neighboring Abia state
Abia State
Abia State is a state in southeastern Nigeria. The capital is Umuahia, although the major commercial city is Aba, formerly a British colonial government outpost. The state was created in 1991 from part of Imo State and its citizens are predominantly Igbo people...
.
The Efik-speaking people live mainly in the Calabar Municipality and Calabar South LGAs, in Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Odukpani, and in parts of Akamkpa LGA. There is also the Qua community in Calabar, which speaks Ejagham. The main Ejagham group occupies mostly the northern sections of the State. The other groups north of Calabar are known as the Ekoi's. The Ekoi's are the peoole of Biase in Biase LGA,part of Akampka LGA (i.e. Oban) and the Bahumono in Abi LGA.
There is also the Yakurr/Agoi ethnic group in Yakurr LGA, while the Mbembe are predominantly found in Obubra LGA. Further up the core northern part of the state are several sub-dialectical groups, among which are Etung, Olulumo, Ofutop, Nkim/Nkum, Abanajum, Nseke and Boki
Boki
Boki may refer to:*Boki Royal Governor of Oahu*Boki, Nigeria Local Government Area in Africa*Boki people in Nigeria*Boki Milošević Serbian clarinetist*Boki Nachbar Slovenian basketball player...
in both Ikom, Etung and Boki LGAs. Also, the Yala/Yache, Ukelle, Ekajuka, Mbube, Bette, Bekwarra and Utugwanga people are found in Ogoja, Yala, Obudu and Obanliku LGA's.
Cross River State epitomises the nation's linguistic and cultural plurality and it is important to note that, in spite of the diversity of dialects, all the indigenous languages in the state have common linguistic roots as Niger–Congo languages
Niger–Congo languages
The Niger–Congo languages constitute one of the world's major language families, and Africa's largest in terms of geographical area, number of speakers, and number of distinct languages. They may constitute the world's largest language family in terms of distinct languages, although this question...
.
Administrative divisions
Cross River State is divided into 18 Local Government Areas. They are:- AbiAbi, NigeriaAbi is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. It contains several Igbo villages and is home to an annual cultural festival.- History and Background :...
- AkamkpaAkamkpaAkamkpa is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Akamkpa.It has an area of 5,003 km² and a population of 151,125 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 542....
- AkpabuyoAkpabuyoAkpabuyo is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ikot Nakanda.It has an area of 1,241 km² and a population of 271,395 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 541....
- Bakassi
- BekwarraBekwarraBekwarra is a Local Government Area located in northern Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Abuochiche on the A4 highway...
- BiaseBiaseBiase is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Akpet Central.It has an area of 1,310 km² and a population of 169,183 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 542....
- BokiBoki, NigeriaBoki Local Government Area which was created on August 28, 1991 is a geographical territory in Cross River State of Nigeria. It's capital Is Boje. It has a population of about 300,000 and a contiguous territories border with the Republic of Cameroun...
- Calabar MunicipalCalabar MunicipalCalabar Municipal is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the city of Calabar.It has an area of 142 km² and a population of 179,392 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 540....
- Calabar SouthCalabar SouthCalabar South is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Anantigha.It has an area of 264 km² and a population of 191,630 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 540....
- EtungEtungEtung is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Effraya.It has an area of 815 km² and a population of 80,196 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 551....
- IkomIkomIkom is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ikom in the east of the area on the Cross River and the A4 highway at.It has an area of 1,961 km² and a population of 162,383 at the 2006 census....
- ObanlikuObanlikuObanliku is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sankwala.It has an area of 1,057 km² and a population of 110,324 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 552....
- ObubraObubraObubra is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Obubra, which is home to the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture....
- ObuduObuduObudu is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria, a hotspot in Nigeria's tourism.The area features a tourist resort, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, which also hosts an annual race in the hilly surroundings – the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race.The town of Obudu is downstream from the...
- OdukpaniOdukpaniOdukpani is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. It is largely populated by Efik people.President Olusegun Obasanjo announced in March 2006 that a 561 megawatt gas turbine power station was to be opened at Ikot Nyong in the LGA....
- OgojaOgojaOgoja is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is Ogoja town in the northeast of the area near the A4 highway at.It has an area of 972 km² and a population of 171,901 at the 2006 census....
- YakuurYakuurYakuur is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ugep.It has an area of 670 km² and a population of 196,450 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 543....
- YalaYala, NigeriaYala is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Okpoma in the east of the area at.It has an area of 1,739 km² and a population of 210,843 at the 2006 census...
Festivals
In line with the objectives of the former Governor of the state Mr. Donald DukeDonald Duke
Donald Duke was the Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He received LLB degree in 1982 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Nigeria, the B.L in 1983 from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and the L.L.M...
to mix business with pleasure, there are many festivals. These festivals bring in tourists from far and wide into the state to enjoy themselves and also do business in the state. These festivals include The Cross River State Christmas Festival,which promises to be an event that will rival any festival events in Africa, with over 30 days of endless fun, carnival, games, cultural display, art exhibition, pageant and music performance. This year's Christmas event and Carnival promise to be the best.
- The Cross River State Christmas Festival – 1 December to 31 December annually
- The Cross River State Carnival Float – 26 December yearly
- The Yakurr Leboku Yam festival – 28 August annually
- The Calabar Boat Regata
Another Interesting Festival in cross River state is Anong Bahumono Festival which holds in Anong Village, during which different cultural dances are showcased, including Ikpobin (acclaimed to be the most entertaining dance in the state), Ekoi, Obam, Emukei and Etangala Dances.
Tourism in Cross River State
From the soaring plateaus of the mountain tops of ObuduObudu
Obudu is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria, a hotspot in Nigeria's tourism.The area features a tourist resort, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, which also hosts an annual race in the hilly surroundings – the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race.The town of Obudu is downstream from the...
to the Rain forests of Afi, from the Waterfalls of Agbokim and Kwa to the spiralling ox-bow Calabar River
Calabar River
The Calabar River in Cross River State, Nigeria flows from the north past the city of Calabar, joining the larger Cross River about to the south. The river at Calabar forms a natural harbor deep enough for vessels with a draft of ....
which provides sights and images of the Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar Marina, Calabar Residency Museum and the Calabar Slave Park along its course, there is always a thrilling adventure awaiting the eco-tourist visiting Cross River State.
Other tourist attractions are the Ikom Monoliths
Ikom monoliths
The Ikom monoliths are a series of volcanic-stone monoliths of unknown age . They are between 0.3 and 1.8 metres high, and are laid out in some 30 circles located around Alok in the Ikom area of Cross River State...
(a series of volcanic-stone monoliths of unknown age), the Mary Slessor Tomb, Calabar Drill Monkey Sanctuary, Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain walkway canopy, Kwa falls, Agbokim waterfalls, Tinapa Business Resort and the annual Calabar Carnival
Calabar Carnival
Calabar Carnival festival in Nigeria, also tagged " Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourist all over the world...
that takes place during the Christmas period.
Cross River State can be accessed by air through the Margaret Ekpo International Airport
Margaret Ekpo International Airport
Margaret Ekpo International Airport , also known as Calabar Airport, is an airport serving Calabar, a city in Cross River State in Nigeria.-Airlines and destinations:...
at Calabar. There are daily flights to Calabar from Lagos and Abuja serviced by airlines such as Virgin Nigeria, Arik Airlines and Aero Contractors. Aero Contractors also have flights to the Bebi airstrip at Obudu for trips to the Obudu Mountain Resort.
Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is now the leading tourism city of Nigeria. Visitors from different parts of Nigeria come to the city in large numbers all year around.
Education
Tertiary educational institutions are the Cross River State University of Technology in CalabarCalabar
Calabar is a city in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. The original name for Calabar was Atakpa, from the Jukun language....
, the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture
Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture
The Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture is a tertiary educational institution in Obubra, Cross River State, Nigeria.20 million naira was allocated for infrastructure development in 2001, but only 3.9 million was reported as spent...
in Obubra
Obubra
Obubra is a Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Obubra, which is home to the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture....
and The Polytechnic, Calabar.