Mid-Western Region, Nigeria
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The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, known as the Bendel state after 1976.[1][2]
It was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City. It was renamed a province in 1966, and in 1967 when the other provinces were divided into several states, it remained territorially intact, becoming a state.
During the Nigerian Civil War, the Biafran forces invaded the new Mid-Western state, en route to Lagos, in an attempt to force a quick end to the war. While under a short-lived Biafran occupation, the state was declared the "Republic of Benin". As Nigerian forces retook the region, the republic collapsed only a day after the declaration when Nigerian troops captured Benin City.
In 1976, the state was renamed Bendel, and in 1991 was divided into Delta State and Edo State.[3]
Demographics
[edit]The region was composed of the old Benin and Delta Provinces. The Benin provinces had Owan, Ishan,[4] Bini, and Afenmai/Etsako speaking people while the Delta province had Okpe, Ijaw, Isekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ika, Ukwani, Aniocha, Oshimilli, Ndokwa.[5]
Economy
[edit]The region had a timber and rubber industry in Sapele which was also supported by a port. In addition, it produced palm related products, maize, beans and other food produce for household consumption. In the Southern Delta province, oil was discovered and was positioned to benefit the region.[6]
Notable people
[edit]- Ambrose Folorunsho Alli - politician and academic, first governor of Bendel State[7]
- Demas Akpore - politician and academic, first deputy governor of Bendel State[7]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Bendel | state, Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
- ↑ "About Edo". Edo State Government. 2019-07-11. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
- ↑ "History of Delta State". logbaby.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "Welcome To Esanland Edo state Nigeria". www.edoworld.net. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ Mabinuori, Lai (July 13, 1963). "Who are the Mid-West People". Daily Times (Nigeria).
- ↑ Ojiako, James (July 13, 1963). "Mid-West Economy Promising". Daily Times (Lagos).
- 1 2 "Urhobo and the Mowoe Legacy". Urhobo Historical Society. 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
- Edoaffairs (2023-02-21). "The Different Tribes in Edo State (Simplified)". Edoaffairs. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
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