| Capital: |
Ado-Ekiti |
| Area: |
???
sq kilometres |
| Population: |
(1993
est.) |
| Language: |
Yoruba |
Location
Ekiti State was created on 1st October, 1996 out
of the former Ondo State. It is bounded on the
South by Ondo State, on the North by Kwara
State, on the East by Kogi State.
History
Ekiti State was
created on 1st October, 1996 out of the former
Ondo State. The people of the state are pure
Yoruba with the same dialect.
Agriculture
The state is
largely agrarian. Agriculture is the mainstay of
the state economy. It employs 75% of the state
working population.
The State is one
of the largest producers of Rice, Kolanut, oil
palm and cocoa in the country. They also produce
crops like cassava, yam, cocoyam, maize, cowpea,
citrus, plantain and fruits like cashew, mango
and orange.
As the state is
within the ecological belt known for abundant
forest resources the state produces high quality
woods which are raw material for wood based
industries within and outside the state.
Industrially, the
state is arid with only few companies on the
ground. However, the state government has
embarked on an aggressive industrialization
drive through the provision of necessary
infrastructure while new industrial estates are
being opened under World Bank Infrastructural
Development Fund to cater for investors' needs.
Mineral
Resources
The state is
endowed with abundant mineral deposits of value
like Clay, Kaolin, Columbite, Cassiterite,
Foundry Sand, Bauxite, Clarcomite and
Charcoalnite Granite.
Education
Education is
highly regarded and prioritized. The state has:
- 541 Primary
Schools
- 141 Secondary
Schools
- 4 Unity
Secondary Schools
- 4 Women
Education Centres
- 5 Nomadic
Schools
- 4 Technical
Colleges
- A College of
Education
- A Federal
Polytechnic and
- A State
University.
Tourism
Tourism is
another aspect which will become a veritable
source of income for the state. Notable among
its tourist attractions are the Ikogosi tourist
centre which are referred to as the haven of
tourism in Nigeria.
At Ikogosi, the
warm and cold water oozing out from different
sources from the earth crust flow separately to
meet in a pool each retaining its thermal
identity.
Facilities such
as a modest non-chemical pools, standard
Conference hall, opulent chalets, and a
fascinating restaurant are provided to cater for
the various needs of tourists.
Other tourist
centres are:
- Raw Material
Display Centre
- Arinta
Waterfall at Ipole-Iloro
- Eto Dam at
Ikun-Ekiti
- Fajuyi
Memorial Park at Ado-Ekiti;
and hotels like
Ikogosi Motel, Owena Motel, etc.
The state also
has rich cultural carnivals like Iwemo and
Udiroko in Ado-Ekiti; Ogun in Ire-Ekiti; Ijesu
and Egungun which continue to attract people to
the state. Ekiti state is accessible by road.
Local
Government Areas
The State has 16 local Councils which include
Edo-Ekiti-East, Ekiti Southwest, Ekiti West,
Ikere, Irepodun, Ijero, Oye, Ikole, Efon, Moba
etc. And its major towns include Ado-Ekiti, Efon
Alaaye, Aramoko-Ekiti, Ikole Ekiti, Iyin-Ekiti
etc.
Contact
State Liason
Office:
Oduduwa House,
Plot 1226, Ahmadu Bello Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel: 01-2616553, 2617061
