Rivers State: Difference between revisions

With a population of 5,198,716 as of the 2006 census and 7,234,973 in 2023, Rivers State is the [[List of Nigerian states by population|8th most populous]] state in Nigeria.<ref name="pop">{{cite web|title=Nigeria: Administrative Division|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/nigeria-admin.php|access-date=28 November 2014|publisher=City Population}}</ref> Rivers State is a diverse state that is home to many [[ethnic group]]s: [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]], [[Ogoni people|Ogoni]], [[Ikwerre people|Ikwerre]], [[Ogba people|Ogba]], [[Ekpeye]], and [[Kalabari tribe|Kalabari]]. The state is particularly noted for its [[linguistic diversity]], with 30 indigenous languages and dialects being said to be spoken in Rivers State, these include Ekpeye, Ikwerre, few [[Igbo languages]], [[Ijaw language|Ijaw]] (Okrika, Ibani) and [[Ogoni language|Ogoni]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Languages of Rivers State of Nigeria: An Overview|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337102125|access-date=2021-03-09|website=ResearchGate|language=en}}</ref> Rivers State is the [[List of Nigerian states by area|25th largest state by area]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Finance Database |url=https://www.publicfinance.ngf.org.ng/state-budget/rivers-state/ |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=Nigeria Governors' Forum |language=en-US}}</ref> and its geography is dominated by the numerous rivers that flow through it, including the [[Bonny River]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-20 |title=Anger as 3 die in Bonny River boat mishap |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/anger-as-3-die-in-bonny-river-boat-mishap/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Rivers State has a higher literacy rate compared to most states in the [[South South]] geopolitical zone. Its male literacy as of 2006 was 52.3% while the female literacy rate was 47.7%.<ref name="Actionpl1">{{cite web|title=Action Plan Nigeria|url=http://www.unesco.org/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/pdf/Nigeria.pdf |access-date=4 August 2017|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|date=7 September 2012}}</ref> In the same survey, it ranked as [[List of Nigerian states by area|26th most extensive]] and the [[List of Nigerian states by population|6th most populous]] of all the states of Nigeria. A 2015 estimate put the number of residents of Rivers State at over 7 million, nearly triple the number recorded in 1991.

Rivers stateState has a rich cultural- heritage, and its people are friendly and known for their hospitality. The state has 23 dinstinctdistinct ethnic groups including Ekpeye, Ogba, Kalabari, Ikwerre and Ogoni amongst others. It is on record that Port Harcourt is the second biggest commercial, agriculture and busiest airport & seaports in Nigeria. Rivers state has two seaports situated in Port Harcourt and Onne.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Rivers State Nigeria {{!}} AllNigeriaInfo|date=14 March 2019 |url=https://allnigeriainfo.ng/history-of-rivers-state/|access-date=2021-09-17|language=en-US}}</ref>

As a multi-cultural, multi-tribal region, Rivers State has much to offer in its diversity of people. The area that makes up the modern state has been inhabited in one way or the other since the last year of the [[first millennium]]. The earliest known settled communities in what is now Rivers State include the Riverine [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]]; [[Ogoni]], [[Ikwerre people]] and other Igboid groups on the main-landsmainland.<ref name="Omabala2">{{cite book|author=Omabala Aguleri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IE8CBAAAQBAJ|title=Igbo History Hebrew Exiles of Eri|date=13 July 2014|publisher=eBookIt.com|isbn=978-1456622206|access-date=5 August 2017}}</ref> Today, over 26 distinct groups are recognized by the [[Rivers State government]], each with its own language, lifestyle, and cultural heritage.

[[Multilingualism]] is a part of everyday life for the population of Rivers State and most of Nigeria. English, inherited from [[British Nigeria|colonial rule]] is common and widely spoken in various forms in different localities. Some indigenous Riverians are also bilingual, speaking a mixture of English or [[Pidgin English]] with one of the native languages. This is partly due to the frequent exposure of the younger generations to foreign dialects, especially in the country's largest cities.<ref name="Fardon45"/> Excluding Pidgin, all other ones spoken in the state belong to either [[Benue–Congo]] or [[Ijoid]] and [[Ogoni people|Ogoni]] Languages within the [[Niger–Congo language family]]. The Benue–Congo is subdivided into [[Cross River languages|Cross River]], [[Igboid]], and [[Edoid]] groups. The Ijoid languages are predominant around the creek belt, [[Ogoni languages]] - about 5 of them are spoken across the southern parts of the state, Igboid group of language is spoken in the Northern Areas of the Rivers State.<ref name="Fardon45">{{cite book|author1=Richard Fardon|author2=Graham Furniss|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AyGIAgAAQBAJ |title=African Languages, Development and the State|date=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=1134868049|page=66|access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref>

Prior to the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 1951, Agriculture was the primary occupation of the people of Rivers State. Around the 19th century when the industrialIndustrial revolutionRevolution reached its peak in England, the area was then referred to as [[Oil Rivers Protectorate]], this was due to its abundant [[palm oil]] and [[Palm kernel|kernel]] which basically constituted the main revenue source of the country. In a sample survey carried out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, about 40% of the rural inhabitants were committed to farming in 1983. Rivers State is one of the leading states in the production of [[Yam (vegetable)|yam]], [[cassava]], [[cocoyam]], [[maize]], [[rice]] and [[bean]]s. About 39% (760,000 hectares) of the state's total land mass, particularly in the upland area, is suitable for cultivation. Major cash crops produced are [[Oil palm|oil palm products]], [[rubber]], [[coconut]], [[raffia palm]] and [[jute]]. Other crops grown for food include [[vegetable]]s, [[melon]], [[pineapple]]s, [[mango]], pepper, [[banana]] and [[Plantain (cooking)|plantain]]. The fishing industry is an important sector in Rivers State. Besides being lucrative, fishing is also a favourite past timepastime activity. There are approximately 270 species of fish existing; with many artisanal fishermen in the riverine areas. The state provides valuable seafood such as [[crab]]s, [[oyster]]s, [[Shrimps (food)|shrimps]] and [[sea snail]]s among others. Vertebrates like [[bird]]s, [[mammal]]s and [[reptile]]s are also found in the region.<ref name="niger delta">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/504930/Rivers|title=Rivers|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref>

There's a vast untapped potential in the state for solar power. Interest in solar energy has been increasing but not much has been invested. Up to now, energy production ishas been insufficient to meet demand, resulting in frequent power outages, slow manufacturing and low business performance.

Transportation within Rivers State is mainly land and water-based. The industry has the [[Rivers State Ministry of Transport|Ministry of Transport]] as its chief regulating body. Apart from roads and waterways, there are functional [[aerodrome|airdromes]] that provide out-of-state transport. The sea portsseaports contain harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land.

[[Taxicabs]], buses and ferries dominate public transport. They are usually inexpensive and are often used for multi -passenger pick -ups. Commercial vehicles in Port Harcourt maintain sky blue, white and sky blue [[livery]]. Operating without these government-approved colours is punishable with a fine of up to ₦10,000.<ref name="Tide3">{{cite news|url=http://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2014/02/05/the-hazards-of-unpainted-taxis/|title=The Hazards Of Unpainted Taxis|date=5 February 2014|work=[[The Tide (Nigeria)|The Tide]]|access-date=28 July 2017}}</ref>

Seaports handle much more diversified import cargo activities than airports. The [[Onne|Port of Onne]] is one of the largest and busiest seaports in the country. Its [[mobile crane|mobile harbour cranes]] are one of the biggest in Africa, with a lifting capacity of 208 metric tonnes. Another important seaport is the [[Port of Port Harcourt]]. It was the second -largest port in Nigeria in the 1950s. In 1954, it cleared about $54 million worth of imports and exports, while the shipping facilities at [[Calabar]] cleared $11 million worth of goods.<ref>{{cite book |last= Information Service |date=1956 |title=Eastern Region (Nigeria) |location=Enugu |publisher=Enugu, Eastern Nigeria Information Service}}</ref>

The majority of Riverians obtain their water for household usesuse from vendors. There are also those who extract their water from private [[borehole]]s and [[Water well|wells]] and incur costs for the investment, maintenance, spare parts, pumping, and in some cases treating the water. Several others receive their domestic water from [[rainwater harvesting|rainwater catchments]], nearby streams or rivers. In the oil-bearing communities, many residents have easy access to basic infrastructure systems, although, most of the facilities are nonfunctional.<ref name="UrbanWater">{{cite web|title=Urban Water Sector Reform And Port Harcourt Water Supply And Sanitation Project|url=https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/Nigeria_-_Urban_Water_Sector_Reform_and_Port-Harcourt_Water_Supply_and_Sanitation_Project_-_Appraisal_Report.pdf|access-date=3 August 2017|publisher=[[AfDB]]}}</ref>

In the large urban localities such as Port Harcourt and [[Obio-Akpor]], Port Harcourt Water Corporation handles the provision of urban water supply and wastewater management services for 15% of the population. A number of towns and villages with iron-contaminated H₂O have resorted to treating one chemical contaminant with another. Most of the water collection in low-income urban residential areas is done by women.<ref name="UrbanWater"/> In 2008, [[Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey|NDHS]] reported that 26% of adult females collect drinking water more than adult male counterparts at 21%.<ref name="UrbanWater"/>

The governor of the state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of votes and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirdthirds of the state local government areas. If no candidate passes the threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The executive branch is headed by the [[Governor of Rivers State|Governor]], assisted by the [[Deputy Governor of Rivers State|Deputy Governor]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your-Title-Here |url=https://www.riversstate.gov.ng/executive |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=www.riversstate.gov.ng |language=en}}</ref> both elected for a term of 4 years (maximum of 2 terms). The governor appoints commissioners responsible for each of the ministries and appoints the heads of parastatals, and the state-owned bodies with specific regulatory or administrative duties. In some cases, a governor may be replaced or removed for example, through death, impeachment or if an election is annulled by a competent court of law or by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly.

The incumbent governor is Siminalayi Fubara a member of the People Democratic Party, who heads the council of Rivers State. Fubara was sworn in on 29 May 2023. He is the 7th Democratic governor of the state and the 16th overall governor of River State<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-30|title=Wetin you suppose know about Nyesom Wike #BBCGovDebate|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-47061040|access-date=2022-01-10|website=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref>

The legislative authority in Rivers State is held by the state [[Rivers State House of Assembly|House of Assembly]], which is made up of elected representatives from all constituencies of the state. Its functions at the state level are relative to those of the National Assembly at the federal level, creating laws for the good governance of the state, as well as acting as a check and balance on the powers and actions of the state's Chief Executive. The House of Assembly consists of three times the total number of seats which the state has in the House of Representatives.

As at 1999, the state had 2,805 government primary schools and 243 secondary schools. The secondary schools are concentrated mainly in LGA headquarterheadquarters towns and in Port Harcourt.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}