Ibeno

Ibeno local government area is in Akwa Ibom state, Southern Nigeria and has its headquarters in the town of Ukpenekang. Ibeno LGA is bordered by Eastern Obolo, Onna, Esit Eket, and Eket LGAs and also by the Atlantic ocean. Towns and villages that make up Ibeno LGA include Okposo, Atabrikang, Ukpenekang, Iwuochang, Mkpanak, Ntafre, and Opolum. The estimated population of Ibeno LGA is put at 86,540 inhabitants with the majority of the area’s population comprising of members of the Ekid and Oron tribal affiliations. The major spoken language in Ibeno LGA is the Ibeno dialect of the Efik-Ibibio language while the widely practiced religion in the area is Christianity. Popular festivals held in Ibeno LGA include the Usoro Ekpo festival while notable landmarks in the area include the Ibeno beach and Resort.

GEOGRAPHY OF IBENO

Ibeno LGA lies off the Kwa Iboe River and falls under the Mangrove swamp forest zone. The LGA occupies a total area of 1200 square kilometres and has several rivers and tributaries flowing through its territory. The area witnesses year round rainfall with total precipitation of the LGA estimated at 4650 mm of rainfall per annum.

ECONOMY OF IBENO

Ibeno LGA is rich in crude oil and has the presence of oil mining companies within its territory and these companies have contributed immensely to the economy of Ibeno LGA.Farming is also a poular enterprise undertaken by the dwellers of Ibeno LGA with crops such as oil palm, cashew, and rubber grown in the area. The major occupation of the people of Ibeno LGA is fishing with the area’s many rivers and tributaries being rich in seafood. Other economic enterprises engaged in by the people of Ibeno LGA include making of fishing nets and canoes and engaging in trade.

HISTORY OF IBENO

Ibeno LGA was created on the 4th of December, 1996 from the old Uquo-Ibeno LGA.