Benue State
Creation
Benue state was created on 3rd February, 1976. It was one of the seven states created by the military administration headed by the late General Murtala Muhammed, which increased the number of states in the federation from twelve to nineteen.
Creation
The state derived its name from River Benue which is the second largest river in the country and the most outstanding geographic feature in the state. Benue state has twenty-three local governments, with the Tiv speaking area having fourteen while the Idoma-Igede area has nine local governments.
Location
The state’s geographic location in the country is quite unique as it lies in the middle belt of the country and shares boundaries with six other states: Nassarawa to the North, Taraba to the East, Kogi and Enugu states to the West and Ebonyi and Cross-River states to the South. It also shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroun in the South-East. Benue state has a landmass of 33,955 square kilometres and lies between Latitudes 6.5° and 8.5° North, and Longitudes 7.47° and 10° East.
State Capital
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. Being a river port, it attracted the establishment of trading depots by companies such as UAC and John Holt Limited. Its commercial status was further enhanced when the Railway Bridge was completed and opened in 1932. In 1976, the town became the capital of Benue State and presently serves also as the headquarters of Makurdi Local Government Area.
Climate and Vegetation
Based on Koppen’s Scheme of Classification, Benue State lies within the AW Climate (Tropical Savannah Climate) and experiences two distinct seasons, the wet/rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from April to October with annual rainfall in the range of 100-200mm. The dry season begins in November and ends in March. Temperatures fluctuate between 23 – 37 degrees Celsius during the year. The south-eastern part of the state adjoining the Obudu-Cameroun Mountain range, however, has a cooler climate similar to that of the Jos Plateau.
The vegetation of the State consists of rain forests which have tall trees, tall grasses and oil palm trees that occupy the state’s western and southern fringes while the Guinea savannah is found in the eastern and northern parts with mixed grasses and trees that are generally of average height. Benue’s topography is mainly undulating plains with occasional elevations of between 1,500m and 3,000m above sea level. The state’s main geological formations are sandy-loam shelf basement complex and alluvial plains. These together with its location in the transition belt between the north and south ecologies and a favourable rainfall pattern account for its support for a wide variety of crops.
The People
The state comprises of several ethnic groups: Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakpa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon. The Tiv are the dominant ethnic group, occupying 14 local government areas, while the Idoma and Igede occupy the remaining nine local government areas. Most of the people are farmers while the inhabitants of the riverine 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.
Traditional and Chieftaincy Institutions
The Benue state government accords high respect for the traditional rulers in recognition of their role as custodians of culture and as agents of development. In order to enhance their contribution to governance, the state government has established a three-tier traditional council system made up state council of chiefs (Paramount Rulers), area traditional councils (First Class Chiefs), and local government area traditional councils (second Class Chiefs). The local government (area) traditional council is made up of district heads in a local government and is headed by a chairman who is a second-class chief. The two area councils are the Tiv Traditional council and the Idoma Traditional Council. The former is made up of all traditional rulers in the fourteen Tiv-speaking local government areas with the Tor-Tiv as the Chairman, while the latter is made up of nine Idoma/Igede-speaking local governments and has the Och’Idoma as the Chairman. The state council of Chiefs has the Tor-Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse as the chairman with His Royal Majesty Och’Idoma, Agaba-Idu, Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John and all second-class chiefs/chairmen of the local government traditional councils as members.
Mineral Resources
Benue State is blessed with abundant mineral resources. These resources are distributed in the Local Government Areas of the state. These include: Limestone, kaolin, barite, iron ore, gold, marble, lead/zinc, gypsum, feldspar, anhydride, natural gas, salt, petroleum, coal, calcite gemstones, magnetite, wolframite, bitumen etc.
Natural Resources
Benue State is the nations acclaimed Food Basket because of its rich agricultural produce which include yams, rice, beans, cassava, potatoes, maize, soya beans, sorghum, millet, cocoyam, tomatoes, oranges, mangoes, onions, pepper etc. The state also accounts for over 70% of Nigeria’s soya bean production. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, engaging over 75% of the state farming population. The State also boasts of one of the longest stretches of river systems in the country and several tributaries with great potential for a viable fishing industry, dry season farming through irrigation and, an inland water highway. The vegetation of the southern parts of the state is characterized by forests, which yield trees for timber and provide a suitable habitat for rare animals. The state thus possesses potential for the development of viable forest and wildlife reserves.
Culture
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 most popular of these dances include Swange, Ingyough, Ange, Anchanakupa, Girinya, kwagh-hir among others.