Bayelsa State occupies the southern part of Nigeria, making it very strategic in a number of ways. It also has the longest coastline, which presents the State as a potential Tourists destination. Created in 1996 from the old Rivers State, it’s bounded to the East and West by Rivers and Delta State, with the beautiful waters of the Atlantic ocean dominating its southern borders.
The State is also well endowed with enormous deposits of hydrocarbons which have remained the mainstay of the nation and State’s economy for over five decades. It is made up of 8 Local Government Areas with Ekeremor, Kaiama, Nembe, Ogbia Town, Oporoma, Sagbama, Twon-Brass and Yenagoa, which is also the capital of the State.
The four main languages spoken are Izon, Membe, Ogbia and Epie-Atissa. Like the rest of Nigeria, English is the official language. Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in Nigeria.
Bayelsa is often described as the cradle of Ijaw culture and tradition. And, this no mere rhetoric as the State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, to further institutionalise the mantra, created a separate ministry for Culture and Ijaw national affairs and made it mandatory for every public servant to dress in real Ijaw traditional outfit every Friday. This is in addition to regular TV and radio jingles to enlighten and underline the importance of the people’s culture and tradition. Bayelsa has a rich culture and tradition that dates back to so many centuries.
