Rivers State

Rivers State
Flag of Rivers State
Seal of Rivers State
Nicknames: 
Location of Rivers State in Nigeria
Location of Rivers State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 4°45′N 6°50′E / 4.750°N 6.833°E / 4.750; 6.833
Country Nigeria
Geopolitical zoneSouth South
Formation27 May 1967 (1967-05-27)
CapitalPort Harcourt
LGAs23
Government
 • BodyGovernment of Rivers State
 • Governor[2]Siminalayi Fubara (PDP)
 • DeputyNgozi Odu (PDP)
 • LegislatureRivers State House of Assembly
 • SenatorsE: Onyesoh Alwell (PDP)
SE: Barry Mpigi (PDP)
W: Ipalibo Banigo (PDP)
 • RepresentativesList
Area
 • Total11,077 km2 (4,277 sq mi)
 • Rank26th
Population
 (2006 Census)
 • Total5,198,716[1]
 • Estimate 
(2023)
7,492,366[citation needed]
 • Rank7th
 • Density635.89/km2 (1,646.9/sq mi)
DemonymRiverian
GDP
 • Year2021
 • Total$19.72 billion (nominal)
$51.529 billion (PPP)[3]
 • Per capita$2,277 (nominal)
$5,949 (PPP)
Time zoneUTC+01 (WAT)
postal code
500001
ISO 3166 codeNG-RI
LanguageNigerian Pidgin
English
Igbo
Ijaw
Ogoni
HDI (2021)0.648[4]
medium · 5th of 37
Websitewww.riversstate.gov.ng

Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region).[5] Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo and Anambra to the north, Abia and Akwa Ibom to the east, and Bayelsa and Delta to the west.The State capital, Port Harcourt, is a metropolis that is considered to be the commercial center of the Nigerian oil industry.[6][7]

With a population of 5,198,716 as of the 2006 census and 7,492,366 in 2023, Rivers State is the 7th most populous state in Nigeria.[8] Rivers State is a diverse state that is home to many ethnic groups: Igbo, Ijaw, Ogoni, Ikwerre, Ogba, Ekpeye, and Kalabari. The state is particularly noted for its linguistic diversity, with 28 indigenous languages and dialects being said to be spoken in Rivers State, these include Igbo languages, Ijaw, and Ogoni.[9] Rivers State is the 26th largest state by area,[10] and its geography is dominated by the numerous rivers that flow through it, including the Bonny River.[11]

The economy of Rivers State is dominated by the state's booming petroleum industry. Although the rise of the oil industry has led to increased revenue for the state government, mismanagement and corruption have prevented the state from rapid development and meaningfully tackling poverty.[12] During the 2000s, Rivers State saw a rise in the number of cult killings committed within the state.[13] In 2019, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike declared Rivers State to be a Christian state.[14][15]

Rivers State is considered one of the fastest-growing states in terms of modern infrastructure and urbanization in the country.

  1. ^ "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION". population.gov.ng. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  2. ^ See List of governors of Rivers State for a list of prior governors
  3. ^ Okeowo, Gabriel; Fatoba, Iyanuoluwa, eds. (2022-10-13). "State of States 2022 Edition" (PDF). Budgit.org. BudgIT. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  5. ^ "Rivers | state, Nigeria". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  6. ^ Amaechi Catches Facebook Bug, Daily Independent, 10 August 2009
  7. ^ "Rivers State government website". Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  8. ^ "Nigeria: Administrative Division". City Population. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  9. ^ "The Languages of Rivers State of Nigeria: An Overview". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  10. ^ "Public Finance Database". Nigeria Governors' Forum. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  11. ^ "Anger as 3 die in Bonny River boat mishap". Vanguard News. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  12. ^ "Politics as War: The Human Rights Impact and Causes of Post-Election Violence in Rivers State, Nigeria: Background: Root Causes of Violence in Rivers State". www.hrw.org. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  13. ^ "Rise in Cult Violence and Insecurity in Rivers State" (PDF).
  14. ^ "Rivers is a Christian state, says Wike". Pulse Nigeria. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  15. ^ "I owe nobody apology declaring Rivers Christian state, Wike says". guardian.ng. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-09.

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