Cross River State

Cross River State
Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor Cross River State (PDP)

Effiok Essien Cobham, Dep. Governor, Cross River State

Contact: Ministry of Information,
Opposite Cultural Centre Small Gate,
P.M.B. 1045, Calabar.
Tel: 234-87-236886
E-mail: crsenquiries@yahoo.com
Website: www.crossriverstate.gov.ng


Date Created: May 27, 1967

Capital: Calabar

Main towns: Akamkpa, Calabar, Ikom, Obubra, Odukpani, Ogoja, Okundi, Ugep, Obudu, Obanliku and Akpabuyo.

Created as former South-Eastern state on May 27, 1967, the state was renamed Cross River in February 1976. In 1987, Akwa-Ibom State was excised from Cross River State. It shares boundaries with Benue State to the north, Enugu and Abia States to the west, to the east by Cameroon Republic and to the south by Akwa-Ibom and the Atlantice Ocean.
There are 18 local government areas in the State, namely: Akpabuyo, Odukpani, Akamkpa, Biase, Abi, Ikom, Yakurr, Obubra, Boki, Ogoja, Yala, Obanliku, Obudu, Calabar South, Etung, Bekwara, Bakassi and Calabar Municipality.
There are three major language groups in Cross River State - Efik, Ejagham and Bekwara.
The culture of the different groups in the State bear striking similarities. Each rhythm and dance express the inner feelings of the people which relate to particular events, festivals, or simply their way of life. Dances in Cross River State include: Ekpe, Nkwa, Obon, Udoiminyang, Abang, moninkim, Acharbor, Onat Ekertedi, Ayita, Udiang Otichui and many others. Traditional festivals relating to farming activities are observed in Yala, Yakurr, Obubra, Wont, Ogoja, Obudu, Obanliku and Boki local Government areas. These festivals are observed annually to celebrate the rich harvest of the season.
The Cross River State economy is predominantly agricultural and is sub-divided into two sectors - the public and the private sectors. The private sector is dominated by local subsistence farmers while the public sector is run by the Government and features large plantations and demonstration farms.
The main crops are cassava, yams, rice, plantain, banana, cocoyam, maize, cocoa, rubber, groundnut and palm produce.

The State government places emphasis on fish farming as a measure to diversify its economy. To this end, it took measures to boost fish production in areas including: fish farming, processing, storage, marketing, in-shore fishing and monitoring of fish resources.
Major livestock in the State are cattle; goats and sheep. Rearing activities are mainly undertaken by local farmers and nomadic Fulanis, except in Obanliku at the Obudu Cattle Ranch where organised cattle ranching takes place. The raising of poultry, pigs, rabbits and turkeys is carried out on a commercial scale in some parts of the State but mainly in Calabar Municipality.
Mineral resources in Cross River State include limestone, titanium, tin ore, ceramic raw materials and hardstone.
Cross river State was one of the first regions of western education in Nigeria. There are more than 230 pre-primary schools, 648 primary schools, 145 post-primary school and a Polytechnic in the state. Also, there are a State College of Education and a Federal University - the University of Calabar.
Health care delivery service is given top priority in the state. Consequently, there are more than 17 hospitals in the state, two comprehensive health centres, nine primary health centres, 79 health dispensaries, 17 maternals and child centres in different parts of Cross River State.
As regards tourism, Cross River State offers both its visitors and interested indigenes many centres of attraction. The outstanding ones are Obudu Cattle Ranch, Obudu, Old Residency Museum, Calabar, Agbokim Waterfalls, Ikom, Etanpim Cave, in Odukpani Local Government area and Mary Slessor's Tomb, Calabar, Cross River National Park and Kwa Falls in Akamkpa local government area, Obubra Lake, Obubra and the Calabar Cenotaph, Calabar, Beaded works which are a peculiarity of Cross River State are sold in crafts shops. Common works are beaded bags, beaded wall hangings, shoes, Ekpe masquerade made with rafia, cane chairs, brass trays, raffia clocks, motif work and a lot more.
The State capital, Calabar, can be reached by air, sea and road while other parts of the state are accessible by road. There is an international airport in Calabar.