Ebonyi State was created in the year 1996 by the then Nigeria’s military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha. The state was formed from two the older states of Enugu and Abia. The component created out of Enugu is the old Abakaliki political bloc, while from the Abia flank was the old Afikpo political bloc. Ebonyi state is a product of struggle and altruistic activism. Some of the stakeholders that at the time who pushed the struggle for the creation of the state include: late Sen. Dr Offia Nwali who sponsored a bill on the floor of the Senate in Lagos for the very first time. Chief Martin Elechi, MFR, MON, from Ikwo who is the second democratically elected governor of the state who was the secretary of the group championing the creation of the state. Chief Hyacinth Ikpor from Afikpo who was the chairman of UBEB in Ebonyi. Chief Dr Boniface Chima from Ezza who was the SSG of Ebonyi State. Sen. Chris Nwankwo from Izzi who was the former SSG of the old Enugu State and his late brother, Sen. Andrew Nwankwo. Chief Barr Felix Mgbada of the blessed memory from Ezza. Barr Sir Harrison Onwe. Late Eze Chibueze Agbo of Ezzangbo. Late Dr Francis Orji from Edda who was deputy governor of the old Imo State. Late Sen. Polycarp Nwite from Izzi who was a Special Adviser to Nigeria president on political affairs. Chief Nwagu Onele of the blessed memory, among others.
Ebonyi State is made up of four distinct clans: Ekumaenyi comprising Ikwo, Ezza, Izzi, Ngbo, Ohofia/ Agba, Abaomege, Ishinkwo, Ukawu. Two is the Afikpo clan which is made up of Afikpo & Edda local government areas. Three is Ozara clan made up of Onicha, Uburu, Okposi, Ugwulangwu, Isu, Oshiri, Akaeze and Ishiagu. Fourth is Korrin people who trace their origin to Cross River State. The communities of Korrin in Ebonyi include Ntezi, Okpoto, Amuda and Effiom.
Ebonyi is reputed for rice farming and salt. It’s also a home for limestone, Lead and other solid minerals in large quantities. Some of the notable cities in the state are Abakaliki, Afikpo & Onueke. Some of the notable places in the state has include Ndibe beach, Nigercem, Nkalagu, Mmahi Salt Lake, Okposi & Uburu.
The following are some of the higher institutions of learning in the state: Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Evangel University, Okpoto, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Federal College of Education (technical), Isu, Ebonyi State College of Health Technology, Ezzangbo, proposed University of Aerospace Science, Onueke, University of ICT, Ofefekpe, Twelve Apostles University, Ezza, Ebonyi State College of Nursing Science, Okposi etc.
Ebonyi State is a Christian state with the following as the predominant churches in their order of relevance and reception by the people: Catholic, Assemblies of God, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Church of Christ, etc. The state has been governed by the following: Dr Sam Egwu, Chief Martin Elechi, Engr David Umahi & currently Hon. Francis Nwifuru. Some other high profile political, educational, religious, legal, corporate and business leaders still alive at the point of this publication from the state are: Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President of Nigeria, Amb. Frank Ogbuewu, former Nigerian ambassador to Greece and minister of culture & tourism, Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico and minister of state for steel, Dr Barr Kelechi Igwe, former deputy governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, former deputy governor, Chief Elias Mbam, former minister of finance, Chief Barr Goddy Ogbaga, former minister, Engr Fidelis Nwankwo, former minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, former minister of health, Amb. Nwanne Ominyi, Nigerian ambassador to the Gambia, Amb. Jonah Mkpuruka, Nigerian ambassador to Argentina, Sen. Julius Ucha, Sen. Obinna Ogba, Sen. Sonni Ogbuorji, Sen. Ken Eze, Sen. Michael Ama Nnachi, Sen. Prof. Anthony Ani, Sen. Emmanuel Agboti, Sen. Dr Emma Onwe, Sen. Paulinus Igwenwagu, Sen. Anthony Agbo, Sen. Chris Nwankwo, Sen. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Justice Aloy Nwankwo, Justice Elvis Ngene, Nwigwe, Justice Obande Ogbuinya, Prof. Fidelis Ogah, Prof. Idike, Dr Sir Edward Okereke Nkwegu, High Chief Ifeanyi Odii, Prof. Nnenna Otti, Prof. Elom, Prof. Afam Icha Ituma, Prof. Bernard Odoh, Prof. Jesse Uneke, Chief Gary Igariwey, Bishop Lawson Elom, Bishop Dr Peter Chukwu, Bishop Dr Michael Okoro, Bishop Monday Nkwoagu, Mrs Priscilla Eleje, etc.
Some of the notable celebrities from the state include: Tekno, Chacha Eke, OGB Recent, Angela Okorie, Patoranking, MC One-on-one, Sinach, Andy Chukwu, De-lamb, Splash etc. Some popular places in the state include: Abakaliki, Afikpo, Onueke, Ezzangbo, Nkalagu, Abaomege, Uburu, Effiom, Okposi, Ishiagu, etc. Some of the wealthy businessmen from the state still alive: Chief Dr Christian Asaga Nwali, Chief Ifeanyi Odii (Anyichuks), Chief Julius Ama Oji (Ochiri of Edda), Chief Gideon Osi, Chief Chibuike Orogwu(Baby Oku), Chief Azubuike Akam, Chief Daniel Onwe, Chief Chukwuemeka Ituma (Enviable), Chief Monday Oke (Emebeifego), Chief Ndubuisi Nwokwu (Ndumore Oil & Gas) etc.
Dialects spoken in the state: Abakaliki, Afikpo, Ozara, Korring, Edda & Igboessa. The slogan of the state is Salt of the Nation.
