About Makurdi
Brief History
Benue state, the host state of the GREAT MAKURDIANS was created on February 3, 1976. It was one of the seven states created by the military administration headed by the late General Murtala Mohammed, which increased the number of states in the country from 12 to 19. The state derived its name from the River Benue, the second largest river in the country and the most prominent geographical feature in the state.
It comprised of only seven local government namely: Gboko, Katsina-ala, Makurdi, Ankpa, Dekina, Idah and Otukpo. Several local government creation exercises increased these first to thirteen and later to nineteen. With the creation of more states and local governments in 1991, the Igala speaking areas were excised to form the present Kogi State. The new Benue State has twenty- three local governments, fourteen in the Tiv- speaking areas and nine in the Idoma speaking areas.
Location
Benue state lies in the middle of the country and shares boundaries with five other states namely: Nassarawa to the north, Taraba to the east, cross river to the south, Enugu to the south- west and Kogi to the west. The state also shares a common boundary with the republic of Cameroon on the south- east. Benue state has a population of 2,780,389 (1991 census) and occupies a landmass of 30,955 square kilometers.
Makurdi For Beginners
Makurdi, the state capital was established in the early twenties and gained prominence in1927 when it became the headquarters of the then Benue Province. Being a river port, it attracted the establishment of trading depots by companies such as UAC and John Holt Limited. Its commercial status was further enhanced when the Railway Bridge was completed and opened in 1932 by Alhaji Baba Ehuembe Osuman, who was the first to drive a locomotive Engine across it. In 1976, the town was made the capital of Benue State and today doubles as the headquarters of Makurdi Local Government area.
The town is divided by the river Benue into the North and South bank areas, which are connected by two bridges- the railway bridge commissioned in 1932 and the new dual carriage bridge commissioned in 1978.
The southern part of the town is made up of several wards, Old GRA, Ankpa ward, Wadata ward, High level, Wurukum (low level), New GRA etc. Important establishments and offices located here include the Government House, the State Secretariat, the Federal Secretariat, commercial banks, Police Headquarters, The Nigerian Air force base, the Makurdi Modern Market, the federal Medical center, Nigerian railway station, Benue printing and publishing company limited, State Radio and television Stations, The Nigeria Television Station, Central Post office, Benue Hotels, the State Sheraton Hotel, Benue state University, and the Ultra Modern Aper Aku Stadium complex.
The north bank area of the town houses among other establishments, the Benue State General Hospital, The Federal University of Agriculture, the Nigerian School of Military Engineering, the head quarters of the department of customs and excise.
Owing to its location in the valley of River Benue, Makurdi experiences warm temperatures most of the year. The period from November to January, when the harmattan weather is experienced is however, relatively cool.
Makurdi can be reached by Air, Rail, Road, and Water. The major northern route is the Makurdi- Lafia-Jos road. The southern routes are Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu and the Makurdi-Yandev-Adikpo-Calabar roads. Traffic from the west comes through Makurdi (3)- Ankpa (3)-Okene (1) roads and from the east through Makurdi-Yandev-Katsina Ala- Wukari roads. The Makurdi rail bridge provides the only rail link between the northern and eastern parts of Nigeria.
Nigeria Airways and other private airlines provide air links between Makurdi and the rest of the country. The beautiful beaches of River Benue can be exploited to provide good sites for relaxation. The river itself provides tourist opportunities for boating, angling and swimming.
The Makurdi Manatorium that houses a variety of animals including some rare species also serves as another feature of tourist attraction. Ikwue wildlife park at Igbor (approximately thirty kilometers on Makurdi- Aliade road) is also another tourist attraction. The present 300- bed Makurdi Sheraton Hotels under construction is also billed to provide accommodation of high class to visitors to the state capital. This will be done in partnership with others owned by the private sector like the Plaza Hotels. Midway Inns, Royal Choice Inns as well as Government –Owned Benue Hotels to provide standard accommodation and catering services to visitors.
General Overview
Benue state, fondly called the” FOOD BASKET OF THE NATION” for its great agricultural exploits on both the local and international scene is predominantly a Civil Service town with majority of the employed in the Public sector of the economy.
Blessed with other tertiary institutions of note amongst which is the GREAT MAKURDIAN’S abode “FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE”, the Benue State University. Benue State Polytechnic at Ugbokolo, College of Advanced and Professional Studies in Makurdi, Akperan Orshi college of Agriculture Yandev, School of Health Technology Agasha and the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Makurdi.
The state also boasts of standard secondary institutions like the Government College Makurdi, Mount Saint Gabriel’s secondary School, Government Model –Day school, Government Girls College all in Makurdi as well as the Federal Government –owned Boys and Girls colleges in Gboko and Vandeikya Local Government respectively.
