We bring to you 20 interesting facts about Benin City, the capital of Edo state in Nigeria.
Did you know that the region which Edo state covers comprise kingdoms and empires which were referred to as powerful sites in the ancient days?
Edo is a southern state in Nigeria and it is a diverse state which is inhabited by the Edoid peoples consisting of the Edos, Esans, and the Afemais.
Edo state is the 27th most populous state in Nigeria and according to the population census of 2006, it has a population of 3,233,366 people, and the capital of Edo state is Benin City.
English is the general language of the people of Edo but the most common local language which is native to the people of Edo is “Edo Language”.
20 Interesting Facts About The Capital of Edo State – Benin City
Fact 1
Benin was gotten from the word “Ubini”. The word “Ubini” was made by a Portuguese explorer which means “a place of heavenly pageantry and prosperity”.
Fact 2
It was estimated that the Great Wall of Benin took about 150 million hours to construct.
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Fact 3
The first city in Nigeria to use sophisticated weapons like guns to fight in a war was the city of Benin during their Idah war.
Fact 4
The people of Benin are the best bronze casters in the world.
Fact 5
The popular ancestor of the Yorubas called Oduduwa was said to be an exiled crowned prince from Benin who thereafter became the progenitor of the Yorubas.
Fact 6
Traditionally, crowned prince mothers were usually killed before their sons ascend the traditional throne in Benin but Queen Idia became the first mother of Oba to see her son ascend the throne.
Fact 7
Benin was home to the first known embassy in Nigeria. That occurred in the 16th century during the reign of Oba Esigie.
Fact 8
Lagos (Eko) was founded by Oba Orhogbua of Benin.
Fact 9
Ghana’s Ga TRIBE USED TO BE FROM Benin But they migrated to Ghana during the reign of Oba Udagbedo.
Fact 10
The famous FESTAC 77 was made by the people of Benin and it represented the Queen Idia mask.
Fact 11
Benin was the first city in the world to have a semblance of street lighting.
Fact 12
In the 13th century, Oba Oguola dug massive walls which surrounded the city of Benin.
Fact 13
In the history of Benin, Ogiso Igodo and Oba Oranmiyan were the only kings that ascended the throne without a crown.
Fact 14
Until the late 19th century, all the Obas of Eko (Lagos) were usually buried in their local homes in Benin City.
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Fact 15
The city of Benin was a great empire before the British conquest.
Fact 16
The Great walls of Benin is said to be longer four times than the Great walls of China.
Fact 17
The first king to be baptized in Africa was Oba Esigie of Benin.
Fact 18
Oba Esigie of Benin instructed Duarte Pires to write a letter to King John II in 1516AD and that was regarded as the oldest known letter written in Nigeria.
Fact 19
In West Africa, the first-ever recorded bank was built in Benin by Oba Eresoyen and the bank was called Owigho.
Fact 20
Benin City is known as the Center of Rubber Industry in Nigeria.
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