Rivers State

HISTORY

Rivers State was created out of the old Eastern Region of Nigeria on May 27, 1967 before Bayelsa State was later carved out of it in 1996. Rivers state, named after the many rivers, that border its territory, was part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate from 1885 till 1893, when it became part of the Niger Coast Protectorate. In 1900 the region was merged with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of Southern Nigeria.

The state has a population of about 5 million people who have a rich and unique cultural heritage. Usually known to be friendly and hospitable, these people come from various ethnic nationalities namely, Abua, Andoni, Ekpeye, Engenni, Etche, lbani, lkwerre, Kalabari, Ndoni, Okrika, Ogoni etc. These ethnic groups have existed together for centuries, long before the creation of the state and are currently distributed in twenty-three Local Government Areas. Port Harcourt – the state capital, is Nigeria’s second largest commercial and agricultural centre and has the second busiest seaport in Nigeria.

Weather/Climate

Rainfall in Rivers State is seasonal, variable, and heavy. Generally, rain occurs, on the average, every month of the year, but with varying duration. The state is characterised by high rainfall, which decreases from south to north. Total annual rainfall decreases from about 4,700 mm on the coast to about 1,700 mm in extreme north of the state. It is 4,698 mm at Bonny along the coast and 1,862 mm at Deqema. For Port Harcourt, the rainy days are about 182 with mean maximum monthly temperatures that range from 28°C to 33°C, while the mean minimum monthly temperatures are in the range of 17°C to 24°C. The mean monthly temperature is in the range of 25°C to 28°C. The mean annual temperature for the state is 26°C. The hottest months are February to May. The difference between the dry season and wet season temperatures is only about 2°C. Relative humidity is high in the State through out the year and decreases slightly in the dry season.

RIVER STATE GOVERNOR=EZENWO NYESOM WIKE

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON (born 13 March 1963), also known variously as Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike or Nyesom Wike is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who is the sixth and current Governor of Rivers State. He is an Ikwerre from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and was educated at Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Wike was appointed Minister of State for Education on 14 July 2011. Wike was later appointed the Acting Minister of Education, after Mrs Ruqqayatu was sacked but resigned before finishing his term to campaign for Governor of Rivers State. He was replaced by Viola Onwuliri. In 2014, he won the Rivers State People's Democratic Party primary and chose former Secretary to the State Government Ipalibo Banigo as his running mate for deputy governor.

Wike defeated Dakuku Peter side of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party in the April 11 gubernatorial elections to emerge as governor.


River state government house

The Government House, also known as Brick House or Governor's House, is located at Old GRA, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is the official residence of the Rivers State chief executive, the head of government, and the home to the governors of Rivers State and their families. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many high-level government conferences, receptions, and functions hosted by the occupant.

Other events that take place at the Government House, include meetings such as that of the Executive Council, and the swearing-in of new cabinet members.

Rivers State is nicknamed the “Treasure Base of the Nation” is on Nigeria’s coastline and has several seaports. Prior to the discovery of oil in Rivers State, Agriculture was the mainstay of its economy. About 39 percent of the state’s total land mass is suitable for crop cultivation. Rivers State also has a lucrative fishing industry.

  • Abua-Odual LGA
  • Ahoada East LGA
  • Ahoada West LGA
  • Akuku Toru LGA
  • Andoni Local Government Area
  • Asari-Toru Local Government Area
  • Bonny LGA
  • Degema Local Government Area
  • Eleme Local Government Area
  • Emohua Local Government Area
  • Etche Local Government Area
  • Gokana LGA
  • Ikwerre Local Government Area
  • Khana Local Government Area
  • Obio/Akpor LGA
  • Ogba/Egbema/Adoni LGA
  • Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area
  • Okrika LGA
  • Omuma Local Government Area
  • Opobo/Nekoro LGA
  • Oyigbo LGA
  • Port-Harcourt LGA
  • Tai Local Government Area
  • Glass-sand
  • Clay
  • Marble
  • Lignite
  • Oil /Gas
  • Palm oil Production
  • Oil Servicing Company
  • Chemical Industry
  • Consignment Business
  • Boutique Business
  • Cinema
  • Relaxation Spot
  • Hotels
  • Cleaning Business
  • Restaurant Business
  • PROVISION OF 23KW SOLAR MINI-GRID ELECTRIFICATION OF IHUAMA, AHODA EAST
  • LGA OF RIVERS STATE
  • REHABILITATION OF EXISTING /COMPLETION OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME IN
  • 10 COMMUNITIES IN RIVERS STATE
  • PROVISION OF 6 NOS 500KVA TRANSFORMER IN PORT HARCOURT FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 1, RIVERS STATE
  • REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MORIBUND RAIL SYSTEM IN THE PORT HARCOURT PORT.
  • CONSTRUCTION OF KAA-ATABA ROAD AND BRIDGES: ORIGINALLY AWARDED IN 2012, KAA-ATABA ROAD CONNECTING TO ANDONI/OPOBO LGA WAS PICKED UP BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMAD BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION.
  • DREDGING AND RECLAMATION OF 600 HECTARES OF SWAMPY LAND WITH 60 MILLION CUBIC METERS OF SAND AT THE ONNE PORT, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, TO ENABLE PORT EXPANSION AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL.
  • PATCHING OF POTHOLES, PAVEMENT STRENGTHENING, REPAIRS OF FAILED SECTIONS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORKS ALONG AHOADA – OKOKU – OKWUZI ROAD

Rivers State

Slogan
Treasure base of the Nation

Capital: Port Harcourt

Governor

Ezenwo Wike

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