Ekiti State: The Fountain Of Knowledge
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Contents
Overview of Ekiti State
Ekiti State is one of the southwestern states in Nigeria. It is one of the thirty-six states in the country. The other states in which Ekiti State shares geopolitical zones with include Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state. The capital of Ekiti State is Ado Ekiti.
Ekiti, when viewed from the map of Nigeria, is surrounded by a couple of states. The state is at the southwest of Abuja, to its north is Kwara State, to the east is Kogi State, Ondo state to its south and Osun to its west.
Ekiti State is considered the sixth smallest state by landmass in Nigeria. This is due to its area size of 6,353km². There are sixteen local government areas in Ekiti State. This is a small unit of the seven hundred and seventy-four local government areas in Nigeria.
Ekiti State, like most southwestern states, is mainly occupied by the Ekiti people, a subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic group. The slogan of Ekiti State is the Fountain of Knowledge.
History of Ekiti State
Ekiti State was created from the old Ondo State. This was in 1996 under the regime of General Sanni Abacha. Though at independence, 1960, Ekiti State was among the Western Region of Nigeria. The Western Region was one of the three regions in the country at that time.
The three regions soon extended to four from 1963 – 1966. Ekiti State remained under the Western Region. However, Ekiti State became part of the Western Province from 1966 – 1967. This was swiftly after the introduction of the provincial system.
It was the initiative of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi who came into power via the 1966 coup. Though it didn’t last long as it became the part of the newly formed Western State. The Western State was one of the twelve states created by the General Yakubu Gowon regime of 1967.
It was until the 1976 split of the Western State that Ekiti State became part of Ondo State. The General Murtala Mohammed regime had split the Western State into three – Ondo, Ogun and Oyo State.
Ekiti State Map
Though Ekiti state is considered one of the smallest states in Nigeria. It is, however, important to know that the Ekiti state map is to serve as a guide, especially if you are visiting for the first time.
Another thing is, Ekiti is also considered one of the best places to live in Nigeria. Hence, the number of houses for sale or rent in Ekiti State. There are also a good number of lands for sale in Ekiti for those looking to invest.
Population of Ekiti State
The population of Ekiti State is estimated to be around 2.3 million according to the 2006 census. The state’s population would have, however, increased over the years. Though it still regarded as one of the smallest states in Nigeria.
Ekiti State Government
Ekiti State Government is basically run like every other state in Nigeria. For every state government in the country, it consists of three arms – the judiciary, executive and legislature. As usual, the executive arm of the government is headed by the governor, who in turn appoint commissioners to assist him. The present Ekiti State Governor is Mr Kayode Fayemi.
The Ekiti State Government legislative arm consists of twenty-six members elected from twenty-six different constituencies of Ekiti State. The meetings are usually held at the House of Assembly in Ado Ekiti. Adeniran Alagbada is the current speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
The judicial arm, on the other hand, is headed by the Ekiti State Chief Judge. Justice Ayodeji Daramola is the present Chief Judge of Ekiti State.
Ekiti State Local Government
Ekiti State, as mentioned earlier, comprises of sixteen local government areas. It is further categorised into three different zones or senatorial districts. That is the Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South.
The list below is various names of local government areas in Ekiti State under each senatorial district:
Ekiti North Senatorial District
Ikole
Oye
Ido
Moba
Ilejemeje
Ekiti Central Senatorial District
Ado Ekiti
Irepodun
Ijero
Efon
Ekiti West
Ekiti South Senatorial District
Ekiti South West
Ikere
Emure
Ise
Gbonyin
Ekiti East
Ekiti State University
The Ekiti State University was established in 1982. The University is located in Ado Ekiti – the state’s capital – and it’s the oldest university in the state. It is also no doubt that Ekiti State University is one of the best universities in Nigeria. It is what you expect from a state whose slogan is Fountain of Knowledge.
The standard and quality of education provided to students make Ekiti State University one of the most sorts after institution in Nigeria. Another reason is that, unlike other institutions, Ekiti State University does not have religious affiliations. That is, admission is simply based on the merit of candidates no matter the religion or part of the country you are from.
However, the university student body is largely made up of the Yoruba ethnic group. Ekiti State University is relatively affordable when compared to other higher institutions in Nigeria. They offer various degrees such as Science and Technology, Arts, Education, management, social sciences etc.
The University is also known for its large population – students and staff inclusive. The students’ population is one of the reasons admission into Ekiti State University is very competitive. Also, because of the population, it is not unusual to see students live off campus.
Afe Babalola University
The Afe Babalola University is definitely the only Private University in Ekiti State. The university adds to the pool of institutions and reaffirms the state as the fountain of knowledge. It is almost a cliche saying that what the Ekiti people love after pounded yam is school. Afe Babalola University, also known as ABUAD, was founded in 2009.
It is equally important to note that the institution does not have any religion. Hence, it is open to all. Though it is to those who can afford the high institution fee. Afe Babalola University offers a number of degree courses that cut across Engineering, Medicine, Law, Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences among others.
The competitive level of admission into Afe Babalola University is quite high when compared to other private universities in Nigeria. Although these numbers cannot be compared to that of the Federal or State government universities.
The institution has over one thousand staff and a considerable population of students. Afe Babalola University is regarded as one of the most disciplined institutions in the country. The students have specific dress codes. The institution’s infrastructures are definitely one of the best in Nigeria with free Wi-Fi among other things.
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Federal University of Oye-Ekiti
The Federal University of Oye Ekiti is one of the universities in Ekiti State. The Federal government owned university was founded and accredited in 2011. The institution has, however, since its establishment offered various degree courses. These courses cut across different fields like agriculture, technology, sciences, arts, engineering, social sciences among others.
Due to the fact that the school is still very young when compared to other federal universities, it has a small staff and student population. Though the student population is mainly from the southwest region, it still has a diverse group of students. Also, like the other institutions in the state, it does not have any religious affiliation.
In order to gain admission into the university is also not competitive as to what other federal universities get. This is largely due to the fact that it is new. There is a provision for students to live on campus. Though, the students are at liberty to choose whether or not they want to live on campuses.
Facts About Ekiti State
There are a number of facts about Ekiti State that you might have heard of or not. Some of which might have been mentioned in the course of this article. However, we have compiled a list for you:
Ekiti State is located in the Western part of Nigeria but we have put together 13 things that you didn’t know about the State.
- As mentioned earlier, Ekiti State was created from the old Ondo State in 1996.
- The state was named Ekiti as a result of her many hills.
- The Ekiti State people share the same origin from Ile Ife like other Yoruba tribes.
- Ekiti State declared a new state on October 1, 1996, under the General Sanni Abacha regime.
- There are only sixteen local government areas in Ekiti State.
- The most popular food eaten in Ekiti is pounded yam with vegetable soup or Isapa.
- Ekiti state is regarded as the state with the highest number of professors in Nigeria. No wonder it is the fountain of knowledge.
- Ekiti State is also home to some of the finest and most popular tourist attractions in Nigeria like Ikogosi Warm Water Spring, Fajuyi Memorial Park Ado Ekiti, Olosunta Hill in Ikere, Ipole-Iloro Water Fall etc.
- Ekiti has a good number of natural resources such as Gemstone, Phosphate, Limestone, Gold, Iron Ore, Baryte, Granite among others.
- Ekiti State also as a good number of water resources; which include major rivers like Ose, Obese, Osun and Ero.
- Cocoa is one of the popular cash crops in Ekiti State.
If you have indeed followed the article without skipping the points, you would have learned a thing or two about Ekiti State. Within the article, we discussed the history of Ekiti state, the population of Ekiti State, universities in Ekiti state among other things.
Kindly share your opinion about Ekiti State with fellow PropertyPro.ng readers.