Bayelsa
Traveling to Bayelsa State
The NYSC camp is located at; Kaiama Grammar School , Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma L.G.A Kaiama Grammar School, Kaiama, Kolokoma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
Travellers can come into the state via Port Harcourt International Airport. Travellers by road can be also head to the camp straight through the state capital.
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More on Bayelsa state
Bayelsa is a state in southern Nigeria. Its capital is Yenagoa. The state was formed in 1996 from part of Rivers State. It is bordered by Delta and Rivers State. Bayelsa consists of 8 local government areas.
Its name was derived from the first few letters of the names of the major local government areas from which it was formed – Brass LGA (BALGA), Yenagoa (YELGA) and Sagbama (SALGA). Hence BAYELSA was derived from the letters BA + YEL + SA
People and Culture
The main ethnic groups in Bayelsa State are the Ijaw, Kolokunu, Ekpetiama, Igbriran, Atissa and Biseni: ten languages spoken in the state; of these, Izon, Nembe, Ogbia and Epie-Atissa are the most predominant.
The major occupations in the State are fishing, farming, palm oil milling, lumbering, palm wine tapping, local gin making, trading, carving and weaving. Bayelsa State is also a major oil and gas producing area and it contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s oil production.
Geography and Climate
Bayelsa enjoys a tropical climate with two seasons; dry and rainy season. The average annual temperature is 26.7 degrees Celsius.
The state has a riverine and estuarine setting. Many communities are almost (and in some cases) completely surrounded by water, making them inaccessible by road.
Notable Places
The major towns in Bayelsa State are Yenagoa, Amasoma, Sagbama, Obi, Kauama, Oloibiri, Ogbia, Oporama, Koluama, Brass, and Opokuma. The tourist attractions in the state include: the Slave Transit Hall, Akassa, the Oloibiri Oil Museum, the Akassa Raid Graveyard, the War Boat at Aleibiri and Manilla and Bronze heads in the Opokuma forest near Oloibiri.
The higher institutions of learning in the state are Federal Univerity, Otuoke and Niger Delta University.
Interesting Fact
Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery in Oloibiri town in Bayelsa state by Shell Darcy in January 15, 1956.
Experiences of Corps Members that served in Bayelsa State
Image Sources:
https://i0.wp.com/everyday.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Specialist-hospital.png?fit=2720%2C1538&ssl=1
http://dailyfocus.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chevron-df.jpg
Other Sources Referenced:
https://www.bayelsa.gov.ng/node/41
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayelsa_State
http://www.ngex.com/nigeria/places/states/bayelsa.htm