Yala
About
Yala is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria, with its headquarters in the town of Okpoma in the east of the area. It has an area of 1,739 square kilometres and a population of 210,843 at the 2006 census, making it the second most populated LGA in Cross River State after Akpabuyo. The dominant tribe in the area are the Yala, and major settlements include Okpoma, Okuku, Yahe, Ugaga and Ijegu. The local economy is based largely on subsistence farming and trade, with yams, cassava and other crops grown mainly for home use and sale at village markets. The area has an abundant salt deposit that can support a small to medium-scale salt industry, with many salt ponds in Okpoma. Investment opportunities exist in agro-based and solid mineral industries.
History
The Yala people are closely related to the Idoma people of Benue State, Nigeria, and can understand their language. It is said that the Yala people left Benue State in search of salt, and having found it in abundance in present-day Yala, decided to stay.
Source: Wikipedia: Yala, Nigeria
Key Facts
State
Cross River State
Headquarters
Okpoma
Chairman
Fabian Odey-Ogbeche
Area
1,739 km²
Population
210,843 (2006 census)