By It’s all pomp and pageantry today as flagship states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria celebrate 50 years since they were created.
Following the breakout of the civil war in 1967, the Military Government led by Colonel Yakubu Gowon on the eve of the war announced the creation of 12 states.
“To ensure justice, these States are being created simultaneously. To this end, therefore, I am promulgating a decree which will divide the Federal Republic into 12 states,” Gowon announced in a broadcast.
He spoke further, “the 12 States will be six in the present Northern Region, three in the present Eastern Region, the Mid-Western will remain as it is, the Colony Province of the Western Region and Lagos will form a new Lagos State and the Western Region will otherwise remain as it is.”
As a result of that announcement, Lagos, Kwara, Benue, Kwara and Kano states are today celebrating 50 years of existing as Nigerian states.
Other states which were created but are no longer in existence are; South Eastern state, East Central state, Mid-West State, Western state, North Western state, North Eastern state and North Central state.
BlackBox Nigeria can authoritatively report that from Lagos to Port Harcourt, Ilorin to Plateau and Kano, the State Governments have rolled out the drums in celebration.
Some are also putting to a grand close month-long activities marking the milestone.
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