Bayelsa
| Bayelsa | |
|---|---|
| State | |
| Nickname(s): "Glory of all lands" | |
 Location of Bayelsa State in Nigeria |
|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Geopolitical Zone | South South |
| Created | 1 October 1996 |
| Capital | Yenagoa |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Henry Dickson (PDP) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 21,110 km2 (8,150 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 27th |
| Population (2005 estimate) | |
| • Total | 1,998,349 |
| • Density | 95/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| Ranked 35th | |
| Demonym(s) | Bayelsan |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-BY |
| Total | $4.34 billion |
| Per capita | $2,484 |
Bayelsa is a state in southern Nigeria in the core Niger Delta region, between Delta State and Rivers State. Its capital is Yenagoa. The main language spoken is Ijaw with dialects such as Kolukuma, Mein, Bomu, Nembe, Epie-Atisa, and Ogbia. Like the rest of Nigeria, English is the official language. The state was formed in 1996 from part of Rivers State and is thus one of the newest states of the Nigerian federation.
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. However, the majority of Bayelsans live in poverty.
They are mainly rural dwellers due to the terrain and lack of adequate transportation, health, education or other infrastructure as a result of decades of neglect by the central governments, state governments, and petroleum prospecting companies. This has been a large problem in the state since its creation; successive state governments have not been able to address and repair the issue. The state, as a result, has an almost non-existent commerce. Successive state governments have embarked on industrial projects (even venturing into the oil and gas sector) and poverty-alleviation programs to reverse this situation. Some argue that there is nothing on ground to show for huge sums of money spent for development by successive and present state governments.
The local population engage in fishing on a subsistence and commercial level. The Bayelsa State government is otherwise the main employer in the state.
Bayelsa has a riverine and estuarine setting. Many communities are almost (and in some cases) completely surrounded by water, making them inaccessible by road. The state is home to the Edumanom Forest Reserve, in June 2008 the last known site for chimpanzees in the Niger Delta.
Other important cities besides Yenagoa include Akassa, Lobia, Amassoma (the home of the Niger Delta University), Ekeremor, Aliebiri, Peretoru, Twon-Brass, Kaiama, Nembe, Odi, Ogbia, Okpoama Brass, Oporoma, Otuan, Sagbama, Olugbobiri, Peremabiri, and Swali.
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