Benue State
| Benue State | |
|---|---|
| State | |
| Nickname(s): Food Basket of the Nation | |
 Location of Benue State in Nigeria |
|
| Coordinates: 7°20′N 8°45′E / 7.333°N 8.750°ECoordinates: 7°20′N 8°45′E / 7.333°N 8.750°E | |
| Country |
 Nigeria
|
| Date created | 3 February 1976 |
| Capital | Makurdi |
| Government | |
| • Governor (List) |
Samuel Ortom (APC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 34,059 km2 (13,150 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 11th of 36 |
| Population (1991 census) | |
| • Total | 2,780,398 |
| • Estimate (2006) | 4,253,641 |
| • Rank | 7th of 36 |
| • Density | 82/km2 (210/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2007 (estimate) |
| • Total | $6.86 billion |
| • Per capita | $1,592 |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+01) |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-BE |
Benue State is a state in the mid-belt region of Nigeria with a population of about 4,253,641 in 2006 census. It is inhabited predominantly by the Tiv and Idoma peoples, who speak the Tiv language and Idoma, respectively. The Tiv's comprises the Etulo's while the Idoma's comprises the Ufia's (Utonkon), the Igede's, and the Agatu's. There are other ethnic groups, including the Igede, Etulo, Abakwa,Jukun, Hausa, Igbo, Akweya and Nyifon. With its capital at Makurdi, Benue is a rich agricultural region; some of the crops grown there are potatoes, cassava, soya bean, guinea corn, flax, yams, sesame, rice, and grand nuts.
Benue State is named after the Benue River and was formed from the former Benue-Plateau State in 1976, along with Igala and some part of Kwara State. In 1991 some areas of Benue state (mostly Igala area), along with areas in Kwara State, were carved out to become part of the new Kogi State. Igbo people are found in the boundary areas of Ebonyi State and Enugu State in local government areas like the Obi, Oju etc.
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