Ugba
For the tributary of the Niger River, see Benue River. This article uses bare URLs, which are uninformative and vulnerable to ugba rot.
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Benue State is one of the North Central states in Nigeria with a population of about 4,253,641 in 2006 census. Benue State as it exists today is a surviving legacy of an administrative entity that was carved out of the protectorate of northern Nigeria at the beginning of the twentieth century. Benue State is named after the Benue River and was formed from the former Benue-Plateau State in 1976, along with Igala and some part of Kwara State. Samuel Ortom is the governor and Benson Abounu is the deputy governor. Benue State, which is located in the North Central region of Nigeria, has a total population of 4,253,641 in 2006 census, with an average population density of 99 persons per km2.
This makes Benue the 9th most populous state in Nigeria. Benue State region was depleted of its human population during the slave trade. It is largely rural, with scattered settlements mainly in tiny compounds or homesteads, whose population range from 630 people, most of whom are farmers. Urbanization in Benue State did not predate the colonial era. Benue towns can be categorised into three groups. The first group consists of those with a population of 80,000 to 500,000 people. Benue State lies within the lower river Benue trough in the middle belt region of Nigeria.
Based on Köppen climate classification, Benue State lies within the AW climate and experiences two distinct seasons, the Wet season and the Dry season. Benue trough, were transgressed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Benue State is blessed with abundant mineral resources. These resources are distributed in the Local Government Areas of the state. The State also boasts of one of the longest stretches of river systems in the country with great potential for a viable fishing industry, dry season farming through irrigation and for an inland water highway. The vegetation of the southern parts of the state is characterised by forests, which yield trees for timber and provide a suitable habitat for rare animals types and species. The state thus possesses potential for the development of viable forest and wildlife reserves.
Though Benue State has high drainage density many of the streams are seasonal. Most of the Tiv people are farmers while the inhabitants of the river areas engage in fishing as their primary or important secondary occupation. The people of the state are famous for their cheerful and hospitable disposition as well as rich cultural heritage. The Benue State Government accords high respect to traditional rulers in recognition of their role as custodians of culture and as agents of development. Also, their roles in enhancing peace and order at the grassroots level are also recognised.
The two Area Councils are the Tiv Traditional Council and the Idoma Traditional Council. Chairmen of the Local Government Traditional Council as members. Benue State possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage which finds expression in colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, supplicated music and dances. Traditional dances from Benue State have won acclaim at national and international cultural festivals.
The socio-religious festivals of the people, colourful dances, dresses and songs are also of tourist value. The Alekwu ancestral festival of the Idoma people, for instance, is an occasion when the local people believe their ancestors re-established contact with the living in the form of masquerades. The Igede-Agba is a Yam Festival, marked every year in September by the Igede people of Oju and Obi local government areas. Kwagh-Hir is a very entertaining Tiv puppet show. Social life in Benue State is also enriched by the availability of diverse recreational facilities. Apart from parks, beaches, dancing and masquerades mentioned above, the big hotels in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo are equipped with several indoor sporting facilities. There is a standard Arts Theatre, a modern Sports Complex which includes the Aper Aku Stadium, which has provisions for such games as tennis, basketball, volleyball and handball, an indoor sports hall and Olympic size swimming pool in Makurdi.
Makurdi, the state capital was established in the early twenties and gained prominence in 1927 when it became the headquarters of the then Benue Province. The town is divided by the River Benue into the north and south banks, which are connected by two bridges: the railway bridge, which was built in 1932, and the new dual carriage bridge commissioned in 1978. State Headquarters of the Department of Customs and Excise. Owing to its location in the valley of River Benue, Makurdi experiences warm temperatures most of the year. The period from November to January, when the harmattan weather is experienced is, however, relatively cool. Makurdi can be reached by air, rail, road and water as the airport is presently not functioning.
The beaches of River Benue can be exploited to provide good sites for relaxation. The river itself provides tourist opportunities for boating, angling and swimming. The Makurdi Moratorium that houses a variety of animals including some rare species also serves as another feature of tourist attraction. Just like other Nigerian states are governed by their Governors, Benue State is no exception. The state is under the current administration of Samuel Ortom. Igbo is also spoken in Border Areas. Agriculture forms the backbone of the Benue State economy, engaging more than 70 per cent of the working population.
