Benue State, Nigeria




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Map of Benue State Executive Governor
Hyacinth Iormem Alia
Coat of Arms
Official Website: http://www.benuestate.gov.ng
Population: 4,219,244 (2006 Estimate)     Alias: Food Basket of the Nation
Chief Judge:: Justice Aondover Ka’Kaan.
Speaker, House of Assembly: Rt. Hon. Titus Uba




GENERAL INFORMATION
Benue State was created on February 3, 1976 by the then regime of General Murtala Mohammed, out of the old Benue-Plateau State. The capital is Makurdi. 

The state derives its name from River Benue, the second largest in the country and the most prominent geographical feature in the state. The present day new Benue State (after a portion was carved out to create Kogi State in August 1991) has twenty three local governments, as listed above.

Located in the middle belt of the country, Benue State occupies 34,059 square kilometreslies. It shares boundaries with six states namely; Nassarawa to the north,Taraba to the east, Cross River, Ebonyi and Enugu to the south, and Kogi on the west.



ECONOMY
Benue state is acclaimed the nation's "food basket" because of its rich and diverse agricultural produce which include yams, rice, beans, cassava, potatoes, maize, Soya beans, sorghum, millet and coco-yam. The state also accounts for over 70 percent of Nigeria's Soya beans production. It 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 way through irrigation and for an inland water way.

In the area of industrialization, the state government spearheading the industrialization of the State by setting up several industries including Taraku Mills Limited, Benue Brewery Limited, Benue Burnt Bricks, Benco Roof Tiles and Ago Millers Limited in which it still retains some holding, which are gradually being privatized.

Benue is blessed with abundant mineral resources. These include Limestone, Gypsum, Anhydride, Kaolin, natural Gas, Salt, Petroleum Oil, Lead and Zinc, Barytes, Clay, Coal, Calcite, Germstones and Magnetite. Of these mineral resources, only limestone at TseKucha near Gboko and Kaolin are being commercially exploited.



TOURISM
The state possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage which finds expression in colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, sophisticated music and dances. Traditional dances from Benue have won acclaim at national and international cultural festivals. These dances include Ingyough, Ange, Anchanakupa and Swange among the Tiv and Anuwowowo and Obadaru among the Idoma. The Tiv Kwagh-hir theatre provides memorable entertainment in its dramatization of Tiv folklore and social commentary.

Political Map of Benue State of Nigeria

Local Governments
Ado
Agatu
Apa
Buruku
Gboko
Guma
Gwer East
Gwer West
Katsina-Ala
Konshisha
Kwande
Logo
Makurdi
Obi
Ogbadibo
Oju
Okpokwu
Ohimini
Oturkpo
Tarka
Ukum
Ushongo
Vandeikya






Banks in Benue
Brief History of Benue
Business and Economy
General and Teaching Hospitals
Hotels and Guest Houses
Benue State Ministries Agencies and Parastatals
Police Stations
Popular Markets
Shopping Malls
Restaurants, Bars, Night Clubs
Traditional Rulers

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Ikoyogen Hills
Ikwe Resort Igbor
Makurdi Beach
Mela Game Reserve

FESTIVALS AND CARNIVALS

Achemuduje Festival
Akata Fishing Festival
Akatakpa–Oroja Festival
Amar A Mirin Festival
Biem And Toho Yilan Festival
Echi Festival
Eje-Alekwu Festival
Ejegembi Festival
Ekwu–Obueche Festival
Gberichur Festival
Igede–Agba Festival
Ijoha Egbadogwu Festival
Ikase Akombo And Tyav Festival
Ikwu Ooya Or Owyi-Onyonyi Festival
Imo (1 Mini) Festival
Indyer Festival
Ivom Festival
Ivom (Amar Or Genga) Festival
Kwagh-Hir Festival
Mzough U–Tiv (Tiv National Day)
Nyinya Festival
Nyinya (Umilin) Festival
Odumu Festival
Ujor Festival
Upleka Festival
Rakange Festival
Richu Festival


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