Ibeno

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Ibeno
[Ibuno Obolo]
LGA
Nickname: 
White Beach
Motto: 
Abasi Ulok-Ulok Aye Abasi Ibeno is watching over us
Ibeno is located in Nigeria
Ibeno
Ibeno
Coordinates: 4°34′07″N 7°58′35″E / 4.568693°N 7.976396°E / 4.568693; 7.976396
Country Nigeria
StateAkwa Ibom State
Head-QuartersUpenekang
Government
 • ChairmanHon. Mrs. (Dcns.) Glory Eka Effiong
Area
 • Total
104.7 sq mi (271.2 km2)
Population
 (2022)[1]
 • Total
95,500
 • Density912/sq mi (352/km2)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
Map

Ibeno is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in the southern part of Nigeria It lies on the eastern side of the Kwa Ibo River about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the river mouth. It is one of the largest oil-producing communities in Nigeria, being the host community to Exxonmobil Unlimited, (now Seplat)[1]. It is also one of the largest fishing settlements on the Nigerian coast. Ibeno lies in the Mangrove Forest Belt of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, bounded to the west by Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, to the north by Onna, Eket and Esit Eket, to the east by Mbo , and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean.[2] Ibeno Local Government is

Location

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Ibeno Local Government Area is located at the south end of Akwa Ibom State, occupying a vast coastal area of over 1,200 km2. It is bounded in the south by the Atlantic Ocean and shares borders with Mbo, Esit Eket, Eket, Onna and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas.[3]

Language

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The people speak Ibono language, a Lower Cross language closely related to the Efik-Ibibio and Obolo (Andoni) language. The need to establish trade links with the Efik people meant that the Andoni people that settled in present-day Ibeno had to coin the language to suit. The people of Ibeno are of Oron-Efik and Obolo extraction.

Major Landmarks

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  • International Headquarters of the Qua Iboe Church
  • Tombs of Samuel Alexander Bill and wife Grace Bill
  • Mobil's Qua Iboe Terminal (now Seplat)
  • Ibeno Beach
  • Part of the Atlantic Ocean
  • Stubb Creek Reserve

History

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Ibeno Local Government Area was created out of the defunct Uquo-Ibeno Local Government Area on December 4, 1996, by the Federal government instrument.

Before the creation of Ibeno Local Government Area, the people of Ibeno and Eket people shared a Local Government Area – Eket, Ibeno Edoh, Uquo Ibeno. Ibeno Local Government Area has thus graduated from being part of Eket Local Government area to part of Ibeno-Edor with headquarters at Inua-Eyet Ikot Ibeno (now defunct) to being part of Uquo Ibeno with headquarters at Uquo (now headquarters of Esit Eket Local Government Area) to being a distinct and separate local government area, Ibeno Local Government Area with headquarters at Upenekang.

One major historical event in Ibeno was the arrival of the Rev. Samuel Bill at Ibeno in December 1887 at the request of Ibeno chiefs to establish a Christian Mission in the area.[4] Through the establishment of the Qua Iboe Mission, Christianity and western education were brought to Ibeno, and from there Christianity and education spread to Eket, Etinan and other parts of Ibibio and Igbo lands and beyond.

Geography

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Ibeno occupies the largest Atlantic coastline, more than 129 km, in Akwa Ibom State.

Located in the mangrove swamp forest, the area has rain throughout the year with the peak between May and September. The climatic condition in Ibeno is favorable all year round for fishing and farming.

Ibeno Beach, the longest in West Africa, is a popular tourist attraction.[5][6]

Commerce

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The prime occupation of the people is fishing. However, farming and petty trading enjoy appreciative notice. The presence of oil exploration activities by oil giant ExxonMobil and other service companies influence activities both upstream and downstream.[7]

Tourism

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The Ibeno Beach is a major tourism destination in Akwa Ibom State and, an emerging destination in Nigeria.

Culture

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Ibeno people are rich in cultural heritage. The people have many age-long traditional institutions like Ekpe, Obon, Uke, Ekong, Akata, Eka-Ebitu, Umom Isong, Oluo, Ikini and the age-grade system (Nka) which is highly recognized and practiced in Ibeno.

People

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Ibeno people are ancestrally related to the Andoni people and Oron people in origin. The common dialect of Ibeno people is the Ibeno language, prominently spoken by Ibeno and Eastern Obolo people in Akwa Ibom State. The people also enjoy an active aquatic life.

Population

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Males Females TOTAL:
41,311 34,069 75,380
* Source: 2006 National Census

References

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  1. ^ "Akwa Ibom State: Subdivisions". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "Description of Fisheries". Marine fishery resources of Nigeria: A review of exploited fish stocks. Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  3. ^ "Map - Ibeno - MAP[N]ALL.COM". 174.127.109.64. Retrieved September 17, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Graham, Richard J (1984). Qua Iboe Mission 1887 - 1945. E-Theses Online Service (Ph.D). EThOs. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Ibeno Beach". Hotels.ng Places. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "The Longest Beach in West Africa". Folio Nigeria. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Odey, Patrick (September 18, 2024). "Gas pollution: Akwa Ibom group seeks NUPRC intervention". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved November 5, 2024.