About Bayelsa state
Bayelsa is the southernmost state in Nigeria. It is situated in the core Niger Delta region, in between Delta State and Rivers State. The capital city of Bayelsa state is Yenagoa. The major language spoken in Bayelsa state is Ijaw language. Other local dialects spoken in Bayelsa state include Kolukuma, Mein, Bomu, Nembe, Epie-Atisa, and Ogbia. However, English is the common and official language spoken in Bayelsa state. Bayelsa state was formed in 1996 when it was cut out from parts of Rivers State. Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits found in Nigeria. Hence, oil and petroleum production is extensive in the state. Bayelsa state is also a riverine area. Most communities in Bayelsa are almost and in most cases totally surrounded by water, This is why the bulk of the local population in Bayelsa state engage in fishing for commercial sales and personal use.
Creation of Bayelsa state
Bayelsa state was cut out of Rivers State on the 1st of October, 1996 by the military government of Sani Abacha. This makes it one of the newest states in Nigeria. The name ‘Bayelsa’ was derived from the first letters of the names of the major local government areas in the state. These local governments are Brass LGA (as BALGA), Yenagoa (as YELGA) and Sagbama (as SALGA). When these letters were put together, the name ‘Bayelsa’ was formed i.e. BA and YEL and SA.
This article covers a list of local governments in Bayelsa state and other information you need to know about them. There are 8 local governments in Bayelsa state.
List of Local Governments in Bayelsa State
Read on below to know more about each of them:
Brass
Brass is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State. The headquarters of Brass LGA is in the town of Twon-Brass on Brass Island along the coastline. Brass LGA has a coastline of approximately 90 km on the Bight of Bonny. A major part of the area of the local government is occupied by the Edumanom National Forest. Brass LGA has a population of 185,049 according to the 2006 census. The postal code of Brass Local Government Area is 562
Ekeremor
Ekeremor is one of the eight local government areas (LGAs) in Bayelsa State. Ekeremor local government shares borders with Delta State. It also has a coastline of approximately 60 km on the Bight of Bonny. Ekeremor has its headquarters in the town of Ekeremor which is located in the northeast of the area. According to the 2006 census, Ekeremor has a population of 270,257. The postal code of the area is 56. Indigenes of the Ekeremor LGA are Ekeremor clan of the Ijaw ethnic group.
Kolokuma/Opokuma
Kolokuma, also known as Opokuma is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State. The local government has its headquarters in the town of Kaiama. The most part of the local government is occupied by the Bayelsa National Forest. According to the Nigeria 2006 census, Kolokuma has a population of 77,292. The postal code of the area is 560
Nembe
Nembe is a local government area of Bayelsa State. The headquarters of Nembe are in the town of Nembe situated in the east of the area. According to the Nigeria 2006 census, Nembe local government has a population of 130,931. The postal code of the area is 562. A large part of the area of Nembe Local Government Area is occupied by the Edumanom National Forest. Nembe city is the base for the Nembe Kingdom.
Ogbia
Ogbia is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State located in the Niger Delta region. Its headquarters is in the town of Ogbia situated in the south of the area. According to the 2006 census, Ogbia has a population of 179,926. The local government is renowned for its historic value to the economy of the country. This is because Oloibiri, the first-place oil was discovered in Nigeria on the 15th January, 1956. Oloibiri is situated in Ogbia. The indigenes of Ogbia are the Ogbia people (a subgroup of the Ijaw ethnic group) who speak the Ogbia language, a unique Ijaw dialect. The Ogbia people have close ties in language and kinship with some other tribes, which are:
The Okoroma people of Nembe local government
The Odual people of Abua/Odual local government in Rivers state
The Ogbogolo people of Ahoada local government in Rivers state.
The headquarters of Ogbia LGA is Ogbia town. Ogbia town was founded in 1972 by the Ogbia brotherhood. The major occupation of the inhabitants of Ogbia land are fishing and farming. The postal code of Ogbia LGA is 562.
Sagbama
Sagbama has its headquarters in the town of Sagbama. Part of the Sagbama LGA lies within the Bayelsa National Forest. According to the 2006 census, Sagbama has a population of 187,146. Sagbama LGA is under Bayelsa West Senatorial District town of Sagbama. The postal code of the area is 561
Southern Ijaw
Southern Ijaw has its headquarters in the town of Oporoma (also called Osokoma) situated in the north of the area. The area has a coastline of approximately 60 km on the Bight of Benin. Southern Ijaw is occupied by the Izon people and their language is also called Izon. Southern Ijaw has many tertiary institutions such as the Niger Delta University (NDU) and the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe. The state’s airport is also located in Amassoma. Southern Ijaw is also the home of the famous football club, Kolu United FC of Koluama II. Southern Ijaw has a population of 319,413 at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 560
Yenagoa
Yenogoa has its headquarters in the town of Yenagoa (which is the State capital) According to the 2006 census, Yenogoa has a population of 352,285. The postal code of the area is 561. The major ethnic group in Bayelsa is the Ijaw group. Yenogoa LGA is the home of the Bayelsa United FC, a premier league football club.