Benin City Ring Road

Last updated
Benin City Ring Road
Areal view of the ancient city of Benin.jpg
Route information
Length25 km (16 mi)
Existed1976–present
Major junctions
Clockwise endNGA road A2.svg A2  – New Lagos Road
Counterclockwise endNGA road A3.svg A3  – Benin–Sapele Road
Location
Country Nigeria
Highway system

Benin City Ring Road also referred to as Kings Square or Oba Ovonramwen Square is a circular road in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria. It spans approximately 25 kilometers and has been a vital component of the city's transportation network since its establishment in 1976. [1] [2]

Contents

History

The history of the Benin City Ring Road is closely tied to the city's urban development and transportation network. [3] [2]

In the 1970s, as Benin City grew rapidly, addressing traffic congestion became a priority. The concept of the Benin City Ring Road emerged as a solution. [4] [2]

The road network in Benin City is often compared to a spider web, radiating from the Oba palace at Kingsquare. Some of the world's longest straight roads connect to the city center from destinations like Abeokuta, Warri, Okene, and Onitsha. [5]

The Benin City Ring Road, one of the world's largest roundabouts, serves as the nexus connecting Benin City to other parts of Nigeria. Originally an open space, it now links major roads leading into the city. [6] [2]

All major roads leading into the city converge in front of the Oba palace and are interconnected by circular roads, including 1st, 2nd, 3rd East Circular roads, and West Circular roads. [7] [2] Some of these circular roads are among the world's longest.

View of the Benin City Ring Road Ring Road Benin City.jpg
View of the Benin City Ring Road

The Ring Road is a commercial hub and central traffic intersection for major arteries such as Akpakpava, Airport road, Sapele road, and Forestry, extending into adjoining districts. In the pre-1897 era, the Ring Road Island was part of the Royal Palace and, at one point, hosted a British fort and barracks. [8] [2]

Route and features

Section-from the left- of Benin City Ring Road Ring Road, Benin City.jpg
Section–from the left– of Benin City Ring Road

Benin City Ring Road encircles the city center, providing a convenient bypass for travelers seeking to navigate around the central district. [9] It connects major thoroughfares, including NGA road A2.svg A2  – New Lagos Road and NGA road A3.svg A3  – Benin–Sapele Road, ensuring easy access to residential neighborhoods and commercial areas while avoiding congestion in the city center. [10]

Notable landmarks along the route include Oba Market, a historic and bustling trading hub, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, an essential healthcare institution serving both residents and the surrounding regions. [11] Additionally, the Ring Road Market thrives as a commercial center, benefiting from the road's strategic location. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benin City</span> Capital city of Edo State, Nigeria

Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, southern Nigeria. In central Kings square, the Benin city National Museum traces the Benin empire and has displays of terracotta sculpture. The Oba's palace is known for bronze plaques that once decorated with the walls, depicting historical events and Life at court. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria according to the 2006 census, after Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan. It is situated approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of the Benin River and 320 kilometres (200 mi) by road east of Lagos. Benin City is the centre of Nigeria's rubber industry, and oil production is also a significant industry.

The Benin Expedition of 1897 was a punitive expedition by a British force of 1,200 men under Sir Harry Rawson in response to the ambush of a previous British embassy under Acting Consul General James Phillips, of the Niger Coast Protectorate. Rawson's troops captured and sacked Benin City, bringing to an end the Kingdom of Benin, which was eventually absorbed into colonial Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oba of Benin</span> Traditional ruler of the Edo people

The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the Edo people and all Edoid people. The then Kingdom of Benin has continued to be mostly populated by the Edo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ifẹ</span> City in Osun State, Nigeria

Ifẹ̀ is an ancient Yoruba city in south-western Nigeria, recent in-depth archeologically estimates suggest Ife's founding to be between the 10th century BC and 6th century BC and is widely agreed upon by historians to be the oldest amongst the classical and post-classical Yoruba city-states. The city is located in present-day Osun State. Ifẹ̀ is about 218 kilometers northeast of Lagos with a population of over 500,000 people, which is the highest in Osun State according to population census of 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benin Bronzes</span> Metal plaques and sculptures taken during the British expedition in the Kingdom of Benin in 1897

The Benin Bronzes are a group of several thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Edo State, Nigeria. Collectively, the objects form the best examples of Benin art and were created from the thirteenth century by artists of the Edo people. The plaques, which in the Edo language are called Ama, depict scenes or represent themes in the history of the kingdom. Apart from the plaques, other sculptures in brass or bronze include portrait heads, jewelry, and smaller pieces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owo</span> Local government area in Ondo State, Nigeria

Owo is a local government area in Ondo state, Nigeria. Between 1400 and 1600 CE, it was the capital of a Yoruba city-state. The local government area has a population of 222,262 based on 2006 population census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo State</span> State of Nigeria

Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria. The state population figures is expected to be about 4,777,000 in 2022. Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria. The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry. Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation. Edo State borders Kogi State to the northeast, Anambra State to the east, Delta State to the southeast and southsouth and Ondo State to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Lagos</span>

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Sapele is a primary town and one of the Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esigie</span> Oba of Benin (1504 AD–1550 AD)

Oba Esigie was the son of Oba Ozolua, who reigned in the late 15th century, and his second wife, Queen Idia. Oba Esigie ruled the ancient Benin Kingdom, now Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Works of art commissioned by Esigie are held in prominent museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo people</span> Nigerian ethnic group

The Edopeople, sometimes referred to as the Bendel people, are an Edo-speaking ethnic group. The oredo who predominantly reside in 7 southern local government areas of the State of Edo, Nigeria are known as Benin. They are speakers of the edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Kingdom Ogiso Igodo. They are closely related to other southern Nigerian tribes, such as the Esan, the Etsakọ, the Isoko, and the Urhobo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uvwie</span> Urban Area in Delta State, Nigeria

Uvwie (/hu-we-ɛ/), is a principal Urban Local Government Area in Delta State. It lies along the Warri River and it is one of the twenty-four Urhobo Kingdoms. The entirety of the LGA is conurbated with the city of Warri, making it a greater part of Warri metropolitan area

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo College</span>

Edo College is a secondary grammar school in Benin City, Nigeria, the oldest in the Mid-Western Region. It was established in February, 1937 and started as the Benin Middle School with forms, I, II and III. In April 1937, the school, with a total student enrollment of 76 pupils, moved from its temporary site at the old Government School, Benin City to a permanent site, the present Idia College premises. In 1973, the school further moved from Idia College premises to its present site along Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City. Edo state in the federal Republic of Nigeria.

Igueben is a local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are located in the town of Igueben, which has an area of 380 km2 (150 sq mi) and a population of 69,639 according to the 2006 census. The postal code is 310.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oredo</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Oredo is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarter is in Benin City. Its capital city is Benin City which also is the capital city of Edo State, Nigeria. Benin City is also the capital city of the Benin Empire. The Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba Ewuare II's palace is located here. There are four major markets in Oredo Local Government Area; Oba market, New Benin market, New market and Ekiosa market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Benin</span> West African kingdom (1180–1897)

The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Edo Kingdom or the Benin Empire, was a kingdom within what is now southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975. The Kingdom of Benin's capital was Edo, now known as Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria. The Benin Kingdom was "one of the oldest and most developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa". It grew out of the previous Edo Kingdom of Igodomigodo around the 11th century AD, and lasted until it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benin River</span>

The Benin River is a river that flows through the south west of Nigeria.

Igun Street, also known as Igun-Eronmwon Quarters, is a street situated in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. This street is renowned for being the residence of the Guild of Benin Bronze and Brass Casters, known as the Igun-Eronmwon. It holds the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notably, it stands as the second most frequented tourist attraction within Benin City. Tourists, art dealers, and collectors routinely visit Igun Street to observe the comprehensive process involved in crafting these objects.

The Oba Market also referred to as Eki-Oba is an open-air market situated at Ring Road in the center of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Its roots date back to the 15th century, making it one of the most historically significant markets in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Edo State</span> Executive, legislative and judicial branches of Edo State, Nigeria

The government of Edo State serves as the governing authority for Edo State, one of the 36 states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It comprises three branches of government: the executive branch led by the Governor of Edo State, the legislative branch represented by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the judicial branch, including the Judiciary of Edo State and the Courts of Edo State. The state government operates under the frameworks of the Constitution of Nigeria and the Constitution of Edo State, delineating the powers, duties, and functions of state organs and institutions. It also encourages direct participation from the electorate through mechanisms such as initiative, referendum, and ratification.

References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Koutonin, Mawuna (2016-03-18). "Story of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  3. Benin, University of (1993). Master Plan: University of Benin. University of Benin. ISBN   978-978-2027-24-5.
  4. "WANT TO SEE GANDUJE? GO TO BENIN - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  5. Voigt, Christian C.; Kingston, Tigga (2015-12-07). Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World. Springer. ISBN   978-3-319-25220-9.
  6. Ngwu, Sylvester (13 July 2020). "If You Want To See Ganduje, Go To Benin". AllNews Nigeria. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  7. State (Nigeria), Mid-western (1975). Gazette. Government Printer.
  8. The West Coast Directory. Journals (Nig.) Company. 1970.
  9. "Obaseki's Steady Steps Towards 24-hour Economy With Light-up Edo Project". Edo State Government. 2022-02-05. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  10. Ihimekpen, Okharedia (27 February 2010). "The twists and turns in Edo". Vanguard News. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  11. Olumayede, Emmanuel (2012-01-01). "Variation Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds in an Urban Atmosphere in Nigeria". Polish Journal of Environmental Studies.
  12. NEH, Kathy Curnow with research support from; Fulbright. "Ring Road, Benin City, Nigeria - Oba Erediauwa Square: Busy Central Roundabout, Former Palace Forecourt". Bright Continent. Retrieved 2023-09-04.