Do you think there are 18 local governments in Rivers state or are there up to 23 local government areas in Rivers state? This article will provide information on the list of the 23 local government areas in Rivers state an their towns in Nigeria and also provide answers to questions as regards River state, Nigeria.
Rivers State, named after the many rivers that border its territory, was part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate from 1885 till 1893 when it became part of the Niger Coast Protectorate. In 1900, the region was merged with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of Southern Nigeria. The state was formed in 1967 with the split of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. In 1996 the state lost territory to form Bayelsa State. In the early days of the colonial period, several protection treaties were signed between various indigenous communities and the British colonial government[citation needed]. Between 1941 and 1952, agitation for the creation of Rivers province began with the formation of the Ijo Rivers People's League. By 1953, the Council of Rivers Chiefs was birthed as a replacement body for the League, the same year, another organization, the Calabar Ogoja Rivers (COR) State Movement became existent. The Council of Rivers Chiefs was later renamed in 1954 to Rivers Chiefs and People's Congress and in 1956, the organization became known as the Rivers Chiefs People's Conference. Until 1958, hopes of an independent state resonated with the region and lingered consistently in the minds of its natives. During the constitutional conference that year, the country's nationhood was affirmed while an agreement was reached on some measures to mitigate the fears of the ethnic minorities in the area. Around this time, the COR State Movement had broken away to press their own case. Thereafter, the British launched a commission led by Sir Henry Willink to look into the misgivings of these autochthons. The Willink Commission initiated the conception of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB). The purpose was to tackle the problems of underdevelopment, however, this failed to rise to the expectations of the masses. After much discontent, some of the people attempted to take the extralegal route to achieve their goals. In February 1966, Isaac Boro, Sam Owonaro and Nottingham Dick alongside their supporters proclaimed a "Delta People's Republic". The rebellion persisted for twelve days but was resisted by the Federal and the old Eastern Nigeria government. On 27 May 1967, under the administration of General Yakubu Gowon, Decree No. 14 was issued, allowing the creation of Rivers State. From then on, complaints about political marginalisation, environmental degradation and economic pauperisation remained among the Ijaw groups, such that a separate Bayelsa State was carved out of Rivers State by the military government of Sani Abacha on 1 October 1996 and Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State was created on same day to include communities such as Umuru in Ofeh. Rivers State is made up different ethnic groups there are four major languages in Rivers State which are; Ikwerre, Ijaw, Kana, Gokana and other minor groups are, Abua, Andoni, Ekpeye, Kalabari, Ndoni, Bille, Okrika, Ogoni, Engenni, Etche, Ibani, Ogba, Egbema etc. These groups has been in centuries before the state came into existence. Rivers state has a rich cultural-heritage, they are friendly and known for their hospitality. It is on recorded that Port Harcourt is the second biggest commercial, agriculture and busiest Airport & seaport in Nigeria. There are also oil produces
It is located in Ayama Abua town with about 6 major districts and towns which include:
- Agada
- Abua
- Akani
- Emelego
- Emago
- Anyu
It has its administrative headquarters in the commercial town of Ahoada ( or Ehuda) with about 3 major districts which include:
It is located in Akinima town with about 5 major districts which include:
- Ubie
- Okarki
- Joinkrama
- Igbuguya
- Ediro
It is located in Abonnema town, with about 11 districts which include:
- Abonoma
- Abaji
- Okolo
- Imoama
- Leleama
- Ibiapuama
- Dere-ama
- Opukiri
- Lelekiri
- Angalaobio
It is located in Ngo town with about 10 districts and towns qhich include:
- Obolo
- Ngo
- Ekede
- Ikuru
- Asarama
- Ataba
- Samanga
- Unyeada
- Unyen
- Gola
It is located in Buguma town with about 5 communities which include:
- Angulama
- Atuka
- Ido
- Ifoko
- Minama
- Okpo
It is one of the local area councils and an Island in Rivers with Bonny Island as the major district and about 8 villages which include:
- Adamakiri
- Agbala
- Akpakpasu
- Amanadama
- Angalabie
- Asaramatoru
- Atabakiri
- Bartholomy
It is located in the commercial town of Degema with about 5 communities and villages which include:
- Old Bokana
- Tombia
- Usokun
- Bille
- Bukuma
It has its administrative headquarters in Nchia town with about 6 towns and villages which include:
- Agbeta
- Agbnchia
- Ebubu
- Egalor
- Eja
- Onne
It is located in Emuoha town with about 3 major districts which include:
It has its administrative headquarters in Okehi town with Etche as its primary district and about 5 major clans which include:
- Ozuzu
- Igbo
- Ulakwo
- Mba
- Okehi
It is located in Kpor town with about 5 major districts which include:
- Bodo
- Gokana
- B-dere
- Kpor
- Gioko
It is located in Isiokpor town with about 10 districts which include:
- Aluu
- Elele
- Igwuruta
- Isiokpor
- Omogwa
- Omademe
- Omerelu
- Ozuoba
- Ubima
- Umuanwa
It is located in Bori town with about 13 other towns and districts which include:
- Khana
- Baghayagbe
- Banchabone
- Betem
- Bie Gwara
- Bori
- Deken
- Eken
- Gbam Boue
- Gure
- Kagwara
- Kani
- Kani Babbe
It is located in Rumuodumaya town with about 10 other towns and districts which include:
- Elelenwo
- Choba
- Oro Igwe
- Ozuba
- Rupkokwu
- Rumueme
- Rumuigbo
- Rumuokwuta
- Rumuodara
- Rumuokoro
It is located in Omoku town with 4 major districts which include:
- Ogba/Egbema
- Ndoni
- Egita-Akabuta
- Ekpe -Aggah
It has its administrative headquarters in Ogu town with about 4 districts and 6 towns which include:
- Bolo
- Ele
- Ogu
- Wakana
- Adiai-Obiofu
- Agwe
- Amuajie
- Ase-Imonita
- Ase-Azaga
- Isara
It has its headquarters in Okrika town with 4 major districts which include:
- Kallo
- Ogoloma
- Okrika
- Ogan
It is located in Eberi town with about 9 other towns and districts which include:
- Oyoro
- Ohimogho
- Umuogba
- Ofeh
- Obiohia
- Ajuloke
- Eberi-Dikeomuoo
- Ariraniiri
- Owu-Ahia
It is located in Opobo town with about 8 other towns and districts which include:
- Opobo
- Nekoro
- Nkoro
- Ukonu
- Queens Town Kalama
- Jaja
- Kalaibiama
- Diepiri
It has its administrative headquarters in Okoloma Afam town with about 8 other towns and districts which include:
- Obete
- Asa
- Kankom
- Egberu-Ndoki
- Oyigba West
- Oyigbo Central
- Umuagbai
- Azogu
It is the capital city of the state and also functions as a local government council comprising of about 9 districts which include:
- Amadi
- Abuloma
- Diobu
- Elekahia
- Mgbundukwu
- Npkolu
- Oroworukwo
- Ochri
- Rumukalagbo
It has its administrative headquaters in Saakpenwa-Ogoni town with about 11 major districts which include:
- Ban-Ogoi
- Gio
- Kporgho
- Gbam
- Borobara
- Nanabie
- Karoma
- Korokoro
- Kpite
- Gbeneo
- Botem
On May 27, 1967, General Gowon announced the creation of twelve States in Nigeria including the Rivers State.
Rivers State is a multi-lingual state in which 28 native or indigenous languages are spoken, and the languages fall into two major sub-families (Benue-Congo and Ijoid) within the Niger-Congo phylum.