Cross River State

Cross River State is located within the South South geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. With an estimated population of 2, 888, 968 inhabitants, Famed for its aesthetic prowess and tourism potentials. Cross River State has a total number of 18 Local government areas which include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bekwarra, Biase, Boki, Calabar Municipal, Calbar South, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr, and Yala.  The city Calabar is the capital of the State. Prominent towns in Cross river state include Akamkpa, Ogoja, Obudu and Ukelle. Tertiary Institutions found in Cross River state include the Federal College of Education Obudu, Nogak Polytechnic Ikom, University of Calabar, Cross River state College of Education Akamkpa, Cross River University of Technology Calabar, IBB College of Agriculture Obubra, College of Health technology Iboko Okpoma and the Technical College Ugep. 

The ethnic groups in Cross River state include the Yakun, the Bettee, the Igede, Efik, Bekwarra, Yala, Ukelle, Adim, Adun, Agbo, Abayon, Akajin- Ndem, Anyima, Bachere, Mbembe, Ododop, Yache, Uyanga, Ekajuk, Ekoi and the Ejagham while the most widely spoken languages include Boki, Ejagham and Efik. Christianity is the major religious inclination of the people of Cross River State and the State shares boundaries with Benue, Ebonyi, Cameroon and the Atlantic Ocean. Popular festivals held in Cross River state include the New Yam festival, Aji festival in Abi, Anaka Mbe, Anong Bachumono, Atumubi, Calabar Carnival, Efu festival, Leboku, Otaba, Calabar Boat Regatta, Edele fetival Abi, and the Calabar International Carnival. 

Popular landmarks in Cross river state include the popular Obudu cattle ranch, the Tinapa Resort and the U.J Esuene sports stadium, Cross River National Park. AFi mountain wildlife sanctuary, Agbokim waterfalls, Kwa waterfalls, Slave history museum calabar, Ibeno Beach, Mary Slessor house and the Ttuga Island.  Also, the Calabar international carnival is an annual festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the state. 

CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Cross River State is Benedict Ayade.

CROSS RIVER STATE SLOGAN

People's Paradise

GEOGRAPHY OF CROSS RIVER STATE

A greater percentage of the 19,018km squared total area of Cross River State is covered by water. The State’s topography is also characterized by lush green vegetations with an appreciable rainfall distribution averaging 3900 mm per annum. Annual temperature averages 25 degrees centigrade.

ECONOMY OF CROSS RIVER STATE

Cross River State is quite endowed with large amounts of crude oil and natural gas reserves and this forms the bedrock of the state’s economic life. Also, fishing and other agricultural activities provide sources of income to the State’s populace. Trade also blossoms in Cross River state with the state hosting several markets such as the Akpabuyo market, Boki market, Bokobri market, Esuk Mba market Akpabuyo, Ikom market, Marian market Calabar, Mbube market, Obudu market, ogoja market, Okuku market, Uwanse market Calabar, and the Watt market in Calabar.   

Tourism also contributes enormously to the economy of Cross river state with thousands of Visitors coming into the state to witness the tourist attractions on offer which include the Tinapa business resort, the Calabar River, the Calabar Slave Park, the Mary Slessor tomb and the Cross River National Park.  

Mineral resources found in Cross River state include salt, limestone, coal, manganese, mica, ilmenite, gold, quartz, glass sand, tourmaline, petroleum, natural gas, Kaolin, tin ore, sharp sand and clay. 

HISTORY OF CROSS RIVER STATE

Cross River State was created  in the year 1967 and derives its name from the Cross River known as Oyono which runs through the state. Past Governors of Cross River state include

Uduokaha Esuene- 1967-1975

Paul Omu- 1976-1978

Babatunde Elegbede- 1978-198Clement Isong - 1979- 1983

Donald Etiebet- oct 1983 - December 1983

Dan Archibong- 1984- 1986

Eben Ibim Princewill - 1986- 1989

Ernest Attah - 1989- 1992

Clement Ebri - 1992-  1993

Ibrahim Kefas- 1993-1994

Gregory Agboneni - 1994-1996

Umar Farouk A hmed-m1996-1998

Christropher Osondu- 1998-1999

Donald Duke - 1999 -2007

Liyel Imoke - 2007-2015

Ben Ayade - 2015 to date.