Bayelsa State

Bayelsa State is found in the oil-rich SouthSouth region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The State boasts 8 Local Government Areas including Yenagoa which is the State's capital, Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, and  the Southern Ijaw LGA which is the largest LGA in the whole of Nigeria. Prominent towns in Bayelsa state include Amassoma, Eniwari, Nembe, Sagbama and Kaiama. Prominent festivals held in Bayelsa state include the Eremutoru festival in ekeremor, Seingbein Ogugu fishing festival in Sagbama, Obunem festival, Oguberi festival, Izogua festival, Odemimom festival, and the Lake Efi fishing festival.   

The State boasts a population of about 1,407,358 inhabitants with the majority being members of the ijaw tribe. States that share boundaries with Bayelsa include Imo State and Rivers State. Christianity is the major religious inclination in Bayelsa State while roasted plantain and fish sauce is the State's most popular cuisine.  

Tertiary Institutions in Bayelsa state include the Federal University in Otuoke, the Niger Delta University in Amassoma, Bayelsa state College of Health Technology Ogbia, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, and the Institute of Science and Technology Yenagoa. There are also a number of hospitals in Bayels state and these include the Federal Medical Center Yenagoa, Gloyland Inri medical center, Yenagoa Hospital, St. Peters Hospital Yenagoa, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Crest Hospital Yenagoa, Bayelsa state specialist Hospital Yenagoa and the Okolobiri General Hospital. Popular landmarks in Bayelsa state include the Efi Lake and the Samson Siasia Sports stadium in Yenagoa.

BAYELSA STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Bayelsa State is Henry Dickson.

BAYELSA STATE SLOGAN

Glory of all Lands

GEOGRAPHY OF BAYELSA STATE

Bayelsa State has an estimated total area of 97,114 km squared with a whooping 70 percent of the state's total area consisting of water. The average annual rainfall is 4,500 mm per annum with the rainy season lasting for a larger percentage of the calendar year.

 Bayelsa state has an estimated annual temperature of 25 degrees centigrade. The topography is characterized by swamps and tributaries. Bayelsa state is also home to the massive Edumanom Forest Reserves. 

ECONOMY OF BAYELSA STATE

Owing to the vast crude oil reserves in Bayelsa State and the attendant Large scale oil exploration by multinational oil firms, the oil business is the major contributor to the economy of Bayelsa State. Other mineral resources found in Bayelsa state include clay, limestone, gypsum, manganese, lignite, lead, zinc, and uranium

Other economic activities engaged in by the inhabitants of Bayelsa state include fishing and farming with the cultivation of crops like sugar cane and plantain taking the lead in this regard. Trade also booms in Bayels state with the state hosting a number of markets such as the Swali market, the Zarama market, Mbiama snail market, Otuokoe main market, and the Igbomotoro 1 town market.

HISTORY OF BAYELSA STATE

Bayelsa State was created from Rivers State in the year 1996 under the regime of the Late Gen. Sani Abacha. The first Military administrator of Bayelsa State was Major Philip Ayeni who oversaw the affairs of the state from 1996-1997. A full list of past Governors/Administrators in Bayelsa state is provided below. 

Philip Ayeni- 1996-1997

Habu Daura- February 1997 - June 1997

Omoniyi Olubolade- 1997- 1998

Paul Obi- 1998-1999

Diepreye Almieyeseigha- 1999-2005

Goodluck Jonathan- 2005- 2007

Timipre Sylva- 2007- 2012

Hernry Dickson- 2012 to date.