Bayelsa State (Glory of all Lands)
Executive Governor
Duoye Diri
Deputy Governor
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo
Creation: Formed in 1996 from parts of Rivers State.
Capital: Yenagoa.
Major Cities: Akassa,[Lobia], Amassoma (the home of the Niger Delta University), Twon-Brass, Kaiama, Nembe, Odi, Ogbia, Okpoama Brass, Oporoma, Otuan, Sagbama, Olugbobiri, Peremabiri, swali.
Geographic Profile: Bayelsa State is in Southern Nigeria in the core Niger Delta region; The State has a riverine and estuarine setting. A lot of her communities are almost (and in some cases) completely surrounded by water, hence making these communities inaccessible by road. The State is home to the Edumanom Forest Reserve.
Economic Profile: Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in Nigeria. As a result, petroleum production is extensive in the State. The local populations engage in fishing on a subsistence and commercial level.
Occupation: The major occupations of the people of Bayelsa State are fishing, farming, palm oil milling, lumbering, palm wine tapping, local gin making, trading, carving, and weaving. However, Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in Nigeria and as such, petroleum production is extensive in the state, which contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s oil
Ethnic Profile: The four main languages spoken are Izon, Nembe, Epie-Atissa, and Ogbia. Like the rest of Nigeria, English is the official language.
Local Government Areas (LGAs): 8 namely -Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa.
Raw Materials Distribution in Bayelsa State
| S/N | LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA | MINERAL RAW MATERIALS | AGRO RAW MATERIALS |
| 1 | BRASS | Salt, Petroleum, Natural Gas | Fishery, Shrimps |
| 2 | EKEREMOR | Petroleum, Natural Gas | Fishery, Oyster, Cassava, Plantain, Cocoyam. |
| 3 | KOLOKUMA/OPUKUMA | Petroleum, Natural Gas | Fishery, Cassava, Plantain, Cocoyam, Timber, Raffia Palm, Cane Wood, Ogbono, yam. |
| 4 | NEMBE | Petroleum, Natural Gas | Timber, Fishery |
| 5 | OGBIA | Petroleum, Natural Gas | Fishery, Timber, Palm Produce, Sugar cane, Rice, Cassava, Plantain, Cocoyam, Raffia Palm, Cane Wood, Yam |
| 6 | SAGBAMA | Petroleum, Silica Sand | Fishery, Timber, Palm Produce, Cassava, Plantain, Cocoyam, Raffia Palm, Irvingia (Ogbono) Cane Wood |
| 7 | SOUTHERN IJAW | Petroleum, Silica Sand | Fishery, Sugar Cane, Timber, Palm Produce, Rice. |
| 8 | YENEGOA | Petroleum, Silica Sand | Fishery, Timber, Palm Produce, Cassava, Plantain, Raffia Palm, Cane Wood, Yam, Maize. |
Visit www.bayelsa.gov.ng to read more.
