River Ethiope: The Deepest Inland Waterway in Africa
River Ethiope is found in Delta State, Nigeria. It originates from a community called Umuaja, and flows through several other rivers before joining the sea at Sapele. River Ethiope is about 50km long, and is shared by four local government councils namely Ukwuani, Ethiope East, Okpe and Sapele. It is no wonder that the river is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
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Importance of River Ethiope
1. The river serves different purposes including flood control, climate change regulation, recreation, spiritual homage, water supply, food, research and education, medicine, building materials, and more to many communities through which it passes, and it is home to a variety of plants and animals species.
2. River Ethiope is believed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa, and unlike sources of other rivers, it has its source from the foot of a giant silk-cotton tree at Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area.
3. This river has become a center of tourist attraction due to the uniqueness of its origin and purity. It is commonly used as a center of worship for Olokun traditional worshippers and faithfuls of the Igbe Religious Movement.
4. It provides water and fish to the indigenes of the surrounding communities, and it is expected to help with irrigation of the 60,000 hectares of land sited at Abraka for the Federal Government cassava bread and high quality Cassava Flour Development Initiative for a mechanized cassava farm.
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