Delta or Delta State is an oil and agricultural producing state of Nigeria, situated in the region known as the South-South geo-political zone with a population of 4,098,291 (males: 2,674,306; females: 2,024,085).[3] Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Federal Minister of Finance and Coordinating of Economy and former World Bank Managing Director, is from the state. The capital city is Asaba, located at the northern end of the state, with an estimated area of 762 square kilometres (294 sq mi), while Warri is the economic nerve center of the state and also the most populated located in the southern end of the state. The state has a total land area of 16,842 square kilometres (6,503 sq mi)

The state covers a landmass of about 18,050 km², of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between Longitude 5°00 and 6°.45' East and Latitude 5°00 and 6°.30' North. It is bounded in the north and west by Edo State, the east by Anambra, Imo, and Rivers States, southeast by Bayelsa State, and on the southern flank is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline. Delta State is generally low-lying without remarkable hills. The state has a wide coastal belt inter-lace with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger Delta.

History[edit]
Delta State was carved out of the former Bendel State on August 27, 1991. The state was created following agitations for the creation of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province: the Urhobos, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ijaw (Ezon) and Ukwuani (later joined Anioma). There was yet another state creation movement designated as "Niger State" comprising the old midwestern Igbo-speaking Asaba divisions and Ukwuani-speaking Aboh division of the old Midwest region. This was transformed into "Anioma" following the creation of Niger State from the old Northwestern State by the Murtala Muhammed's administration in 1976. The then Military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) created the state using the name "Delta" advanced by Niger Delta region and "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Anioma" axis as capital. Asaba was designated as capital of the proposed Anioma State. The proposed capital was a virgin land or "Anioma city" in the heart of the two constituent divisions that had evolved to become the Anioma area. Delta state was once integrated in the Mid Western state from 1963 to 1976 and later Bendel state, from 1976 to 1991. The name "Bendel" (Ben-Del) coined from the old Benin and Delta Provinces of Western Region-Delta to reflect the integration of Benin and Delta provinces.

Demographics[edit]
Delta State is ethnically diverse with peoples and seven major languages and dialects are spoken in the state. The state is divided into two regions on account of state creation movements (between 1976 and 1996) which was a feature of the military governance of Nigeria. This culminated to the increment of states in Nigeria from 12 states to the present 36 states.

The first group are Anioma (Igboid group) which consists of Aniocha/Oshimili, Ndokwa/Ukwuani ethnic nationality, and Ika. These areas occupy the Delta North senatorial district of the state.

The second group comprises Urhobo/Isoko (Edoid group), Itsekiri (Yoruboid group), and Ezon ethnic groups. These ethnic groups occupy the Central and South Senatorial districts of the state. The Urhobo and Isoko speak very similar dialects unlike the Ezon and Itsekiri people but have a loosely related culture as they traded and intermarried for centuries before colonization. The Itsekiri are linguistically and culturally related to the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups of Western Nigeria, while the Ezon are a branch of their kith and kin in neighbouring Bayelsa state. Most inhabitants of the state practice Christianity and very few traditional faiths—although the Ukwuanis also have many cultural affiliation with these groups most especially in their cosmic outlook.

Administration[edit]
Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi, a member of the People's Democratic Party, was elected Governor and chief executive of Delta State in April 2015. His deputy is Barr. Kingsley Otuaro. The state has three National Senatorial Districts (South, North and Central). In 2011 and 2013, the elected senators were James Manager, Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi and Emmanuel Aguariavwodo who replaced Pius Ewherido who died in 2013 at National Hospital, Abuja. In 2015, Chief Ighoyeta Amori was elected Senator of Delta Central but his election was annulled and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege sworn in as Senator of Delta Central, James Manager retained his position and Chief Peter Nwaoboshi was elected Senator of Delta North. The Executive, Legislative and Judicial Chambers are housed in Asaba with a government house annex in Warri.

Local Government Areas[edit]
Delta State consists of 25 Local Government Areas (shown with 2006 population figures[4]):

Delta Central Senatorial District 1,575,738 Delta North Senatorial District 1,293,074 Delta South Senatorial District 1,229,282
Ethiope East 200,792 Aniocha North 104,711 Bomadi 86,644
Ethiope West 203,592 Aniocha South 140,604 Burutu 209,666
Okpe 130,029 Ika North East 183,657 Isoko North 144,155
Sapele 171,888 Ika South 162,594 Isoko South 227,712
Udu 143,361 Ndokwa East 103,171 Patani 67,707
Ughelli North 321,028 Ndokwa West 149,325 Warri North 137,300
Ughelli South 213,576 Oshimili North 115,316 Warri South 303,417
Uvwie 191,472 Oshimili South 149,306 Warri South West 116,681
Ukwuani 120,390
Natural resources[edit]
There are various solid mineral deposits within state - industrial clay, silica, lignite, kaolin, tar sand, decorative rocks, limestone, etc. These are raw materials for industries such as brick making, ceramics, bottle manufacturing, glass manufacturing, chemical/insulators production, chalk manufacturing and sanitary wares, decorative stone cutting and quarrying.

Delta state also has huge deposits of crude oil and is also one the largest producers of petroleum products in Nigeria

Higher education[edit]
Delta state has one of the highest numbers of tertiary institutions in any Nigerian state. This is a product of the people's thirst for knowledge and academic work. Some of these institutions are:

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
Delta State University (Abraka Campus, Oleh Campus, Asaba Campus)
Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku
Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara
Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro
College of Education, Agbor
College of Education, Warri
Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba
College of Physical Education, Mosogar
School of Health Technology, Ughelli
Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun
Western Delta University, Oghara
Novena University, Ogume-Amai
National Open University of Nigeria, Asaba Study Center, Asaba
Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu
Nigerian Maritime University, Okerengigho, Warri
Conarina School of Maritime & Transport Technology, Oria-Abraka
University of Information and Communication Technology, Agbor
State School of Midwifery, Asaba
School of Nursing, Agbor
School of Nursing, Warri
Baptist School of Nursing, Eku
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo
Eagle Heights University, Omadino, Warri
Nigerian Naval School, Sapele
Nigerian Navy Maritime University, Ibusa
Tourist attractions[edit]
Delta State has some historical, cultural and socio-political tourist centers that attract visitors from around the globe. Some of these sites of tourism include:

The Nana's Palace built by Chief Nana Olomu of Ebrohim. He was a powerful 19th century indigenous entrepreneur who traded with the British. The relationship eventually turned sour. Later, he surrendered (not without putting up a fight) and was exiled to Ghana. His personal effects are housed in this grand palace.
The River Ethiope which is reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa (at 176 km). Its source is at the foot of a giant silk-cotton tree at Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state and flows through seven Local Government Areas in the State. It is a place of worship for Olokun traditional religion and also a common site for faithfuls of the Igbe Religious Movement.
The Araya Bible Site which houses a copy of the Holy Bible. It is believed that the bible descended to this spot miraculously from heaven around August, 1914. The bible dropped on rain-soaked yam and it didn't get wet. The site now attracts thousands of Christians yearly.
Demas Nwoko Edifice which was built using traditional materials, designs and construction techniques of the Igbo civilization and the Benin Empire by Demas Nwoko, an architect, builder and artist of international repute from Idumuje-Ugboko, in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.
The Mungo Park House which is now the site of the National Museum, Asaba. The house was constructed by the Royal Niger Company (RNC) in 1886 and was used as a colonial administrative headquarters, a military house, the colonial administrative divisional headquarters, the RNC Constabulary building, and the seat of the Urban District Council at different times.
The Niger Bridge which connects Delta State (by extension, western Nigeria) to the Eastern part of Nigeria. It is a beauty to behold. It was completed in 1965 and cost £5 million. It was damaged during the civil war, but later repaired.
Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba which was built in memory of early British explorers. The complex has a museum, a graveyard, and many artworks and writings. It houses a replica of one of the boats that was used by the brothers.
Falcorp Mangrove Park
Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery which is 512 years old and serves as the resting place of past rulers of Warri kingdom. A tree is planted on each grave.
Notable people[edit]
Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, Nigerian financial industry leader and politician.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Bruce Onobrakpeya, 2006 UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award, Trustee of Western Niger Delta University
Olorogun Michael Ibru, business leader
Deacon Gamaliel Onosode
Prof John Pepper Clark, first Professor of English in Africa, poet and writer
Ben Okri, writer
Jay Jay Okocha, former Super Eagles Captain
Omawumi, popular Nigeria entertainer.
Orhero Ansel Omamuyovwi ( Financial Economist)
Emmanuel Uduaghan
Amaju Pinnick
Festus Kwode
Ayo Oritsejafor
David Ejoor
Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche Former Attorney General & Minister for Justice of Nigeria
Francis Agoda (I go dye), popular comedian across Africa who is among United Nations' Millennium Development Goals Ambassadors
Bovi Ugboma, popular Nigerian comedian
Blessing Okagbare, athlete, Olympic and World Championships medalist in the long jump, and a world medallist in the 200 metres
Cindy Ofili (Heritage)
Uwanogho Igho Friday { best fashion designer in Africa} popular fashion designer and founder Uwanogho suits and company


As we celebrate our dear State all will seek for is the release of our dynamic former Governor Chief James Ibori

Unsure if the OP is another divide and conquer the Igbo Nation. listen to the OP: "Igbo-speaking Asaba divisions and Ukwuani-speaking"

Fact is there is NO language called "Ukwuani" Ukwuani is 100% Igbo and speaks Igbo Not Ukwuani. All of Delta North is 100% Igbo Period.

Osyabj:
Unsure if the OP is another divide and conquer the Igbo Nation. listen to the OP: "Igbo-speaking Asaba divisions and Ukwuani-speaking"

Fact is there is NO language called "Ukwuani" Ukwuani is 100% Igbo and speaks Igbo Not Ukwuani. All of Delta North is 100% Igbo Period.

I guess you don't live in delta
Stop saying what you don't know

Happy Birthday to my state

Op what is there to celebrate? Not when Delta state is the worst State in Nigeria. Let not go too far, ordinary road nor dey Delta State.

Area!!!