[8] Benue is a rich agricultural region; common crops cultivated in the state include oranges, yams, mangoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, soya bean, guinea corn, flax, sesame, rice, groundnuts and palm trees.

Benue State is a legacy of an administrative entity that was carved out of the protectorate of northern Nigeria at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The territory was initially known as Munshi Province until 1918 when the name of its dominant geographical feature, the Benue River was adopted.

It is largely rural, with scattered settlements mainly in tiny compounds or homesteads, whose population range from 630 people, most of whom are farmers.

These include Makurdi, the State Capital, Gboko and Otukpo the "headquarters" of the two dominant ethnic groups (125,944 and 88,958 people respectively).

The third category comprises towns with a population of 10,000 to 19,000 people and includes, Lessel, Ihugh, Naka, Adoka, Aliade, Okpoga, Igumale, Oju, Utonkon, Ugbokolo, Wannune, Ugbokpo, Otukpa, Ugba and Korinya.

Rather, three towns stand out very clearly as important urban centres which together account for more than 70 per cent of the social amenities provided in the state and almost all the industrial establishments.

The state also shares a common boundary for 22 km with the Nord-Ouest Province, claimed by both Ambazonia and the Republic of Cameroon on the south-east.

During the Tertiary and possibly the Interglacial periods of the Quaternary glaciation, the Benue and Niger Valleys, otherwise known as the Niger/Benue trough, were transgressed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Prominent crops include Yam, Rice, Beans, Cassava, Sweet potato, Maize, Soybean, Sorghum, Millet, Sesame, Cocoyam etc.

[16] The vegetation of the southern parts of the state is characterised by forests, which yield trees for timber and provide a suitable habitat for rare animals types and species.

The land is generally low lying (averaging 100m-250m) and gently undulating with occasional inselbergs, Knoll, Laterite etc.

The Katsina-Ala is the largest tributary, while the smaller rivers include Mkomon, Amile, Duru, Loko Konshisha, Kpa, Okpokwu, Mu, Be, Aya, Apa Ogede and Ombi.

Hence, there is an acute water shortage in the dry season in Local Government Areas such as Guma, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo, Gwer West (Naka, Nigeria) and Oju.

This river system has great potential for a viable fishing industry, dry season farming through irrigation and for an inland water highway.

The state is populated by several ethnic groups: Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Ufia Orring, Abakpa, Jukun, Igbo, Akweya, hausa and Nyifon.

Most of the Tiv and idoma people are farmers while the inhabitants of the river areas engage in fishing as their primary or important secondary occupation.

They are: The Benue State Government accords high respect to traditional rulers in recognition of their role as custodians of culture and as agents of development.

Benue State possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage which finds expression in colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, supplicated music and dances.

Apart from parks, beaches, dancing and masquerades mentioned above, the big hotels in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo are equipped with several indoor sporting facilities.

It is the first church in the region and the first encounter with Christianity by the Tiv people Agriculture forms the backbone of the Benue State economy, engaging more than 70 per cent of the working population.

Food crops include Yam, Cassava, Sweet potato, Beans, Maize, Millet, Guinea corn, Vegetables etc.

Benue State has the capacity to support a wide range of industries using local agricultural and mineral resources although potentials are yet to be exploited.

Industry and commerce have been greatly retarded by the absence of capital funds, basic infrastructure and the frequent political changes.

The programme of road development, hotels, postal, telephone and Email services, electricity, potable water, recreational facilities and the general hospitality of the people will eventually open up the state to tourists.

Natural Attractions in Benue State include hills and ranges such as Ikyogen, Abande, Ngokur, Mkar, Ushongo and Harga.

There is a heavily wooded natural trench at Tse-Mker which is believed to be inhabited by dangerous creatures including Pythons.

The border stretch adjoining the Obudu/South Cameroon Plateau ranges features forests, dissected hills, Dykes, dozens of fast flowing streams and incised valleys.

At Epwa-Ibilla, Andi-Ibilla, Uchenyum-Ibilla, Okochi-Uwokwu, Irachi-Uwokwu, Ette-Uda-Uwokwu, Odepa-Uwokwu, Igbegi-Ipinu-Uwokwu, Edde-Ibilla-Uwokwu, and Ohuma-Uwokwu of Oju, are springs of clean water.

Historical monuments in the state include the Royal Niger Company Trading Stores at Makurdi and Gbileve near Katsina-Ala; the tombs of the first Dutch missionaries at Harga and Sai in Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas; the tombs of the legendary politician, Mr. J. S. Tarka and past three Tor Tiv in Gboko town; and the trench fortifications in Turan district of Kwande local government areas which were dug by the Tiv to ward off Chamba invasions in the 19th century.