Yala, Nigeria
Yala is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Okpoma in the east of the area at 6°35′35″N 8°38′01″E.
Yala
Iyala | |
|---|---|
  Yala Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 6°42′N 8°36′E | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Cross River State |
| Government | |
| • Local Government Chairman | Fabian Odey-Ogbeche |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,739 km2 (671 sq mi) |
| Population (2006 census) | |
| • Total | 210,843 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| 3-digit postal code prefix | 550 |
| ISO 3166 code | NG.CR.YL |
| Website | www |
It has an area of 1,739 km2 and a population of 210,843 at the 2006 census.[1] This makes Yala the second most populated LGA in Cross River State, coming after Akpabuyo.
The postal code of the area is 550.[2]
The dominant tribe in the Area are the Yala. Major settlements in Yala LGA include Okpoma, Okuku, Yahe, Ugaga, Ijegu, Oloko, Imaje, Oke, Echumoga, Woda, Ebo, Igede Edii Nation, Itekpa, Maa, Wonye, Uchu, Osina, Mbuor, Aliforkpa, Echumofana, Wanihem, Wanikade, Wanokom, Ijiraga, Ntrigom etc. Yala is also a language spoken by some inhabitants of Yalaland.
Other major tribes in Yala Local Government Area are, Igede-Edii (Anyadaha, Anyugbe, Eminyi, Ibilla, Igbakobor and Opiriku), Itekpa, Gabu, Ukele and Yache. They speak Igede, Kukelle and Yache language respectively.
The LGA has abundant salt deposit which can sustain any small to medium scale salt industry. There are many salt ponds in Okpoma which are of great history to the people and are mined locally. The LGA also offers a wide range of investment opportunities in agro-based industries as well as solid mineral industries.
History
The Yala people are closely related to the Idoma people of Benue state, Nigeria and can understand their language. It is said that the Yala people left Benue state in search of salt, having found it in abundance in present day Yala, decided to stay.
See also
Cross River State In Yala local government area, there is an ongoing construction of a rice industry, located on a land mass from between Okuku heading towards Igoli road through the Army Barracks. There is a roofing tiles factory in Yala.[3] The Yala people are predominantly farmers, civil servants, and law enforcement officers. A significant number of the youths work as traders, craftsmen and commercial motorcyclists.
In Yala, the most celebrated agricultural produce is the yam. An entire day is declared as a holiday to celebrate the yam every new harvest time which is usually on the 30th of August annually. This sees Yala people from all around the world return home to enjoy a cultural heritage festival and Holiday.
References
- Simon O. Ering (2010). "The Population Situation in Cross River State of Nigeria and Its Implication for Socio-Economic Development: Observations from the 1991 and 2006 Censuses" (PDF).
- "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- "Cross River test-runs tile factory - The Nation Newspaper". Archived from the original on 2020-01-08.
4. "We Are Idomas And Not Cross Riverians; Yala People" http://www.iambenue.com/we-are-idomas-and-not-cross-riverians-yala-people/
