Bayelsa State is a state in southern Nigeria, on the coast and between Delta State and Rivers State. Its capital is Yenagoa. The state was formed in 1996 from part of Rivers State and thus, it is one the newest states of the Nigerian federation. Bayelsa has a riverine setting. A lot of her communities are almost (and in some cases) completely surrounded by water, hence making these communities inaccessible by road. It has one of the largest crude oil deposits in Nigeria.

Location

Bayelsa is located in the Nigeria Delta area. It is bounded on the west by Rivers State, on the East and South by the Atlantic Ocean and on the North by Delta State.

History

Bayelsa State was one of the states created by the Federal Military Government of Gen. Sani Abacha on 1st Oct., 1996. The State was carved out of Rivers State.

Agriculture

Crops largely produced in the State are Yam, Cassava, Plantain, Palm Oil and Banana. Fishing is a major occupation of the people of the state.

Mineral Resources

The state is blessed with an abundant supply of crude oil. The state also has other mineral resources such as Natural Gas, Fine Sand and Clay (used in pottery and porcelain production)

Education

NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY, WILBERFORCE ISLAND, Bayelsa

Tourism

The state is blessed with many centres of historical attraction. Some of these attractions are The Slave Transit Hall, Akassa, The Oloibiri Oil Museum, The Akassa Raid Graveyard, The War Boat at Aleibiri and Manilla and Bronze heads in the Opokuma forest near Oloibiri.

People

Bayelsa is a multi-ethnic state comprised of many ethnic groups such as Kolokunu, Ekpetiama Igbriran, Atissa and Biseni, others are Nember, Ogbia and Ogbein, each having its own dialect.

Local Government Areas

The state has eight local government areas namely: Kolokuma Opokuma, Brass, Nembe, Sagbama, Ekeremor, Ogbia, Yenagoa, Ijaw north and Ijaw south.

Links

www.bayelsagov.com

Schools on The Web:

Contact

State Liason Office:
Plot 1233, Bishop Oluwole Street, PMB 12634 V.Island, Near Yakubu Gowon Centre, Asokoro District Abuja