Kogi State

Coordinates: 7°30′N 6°42′E / 7.500°N 6.700°E / 7.500; 6.700
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the Amerindian tribe, see Kogi people. For other uses, see Kogi (disambiguation).

Kogi
State
UTC+01 (WAT)
postal code
260001
ISO 3166 codeNG-KO
HDI (2021)0.557[4]
medium · 23rd of 37
Websitewww.kogistate.gov.ng

Kogi State is a

River Benue[12] occurs next to its capital, Lokoja.[13][14]

Of the 36 states of Nigeria, Kogi is the thirteenth largest in the area and twentieth most populous with an estimated population of about 4.5 million as of 2022.[15] Geographically, the state is within the tropical Guinean forest–savanna mosaic ecoregion. Important geographic features include the key rivers with the Niger flowing from the northwest and the Benue coming from the northeast before the two rivers meet in Kogi's center and bisect the state southward.[16]

Kogi State has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including the Igala, Ebira, Gbagyi, and Nupe (mainly the Bassa Nge, Kakanda, and Kupa subgroups) in the state's center; the Igala (most dominant in the east), Agatu, Basa-Komoand Idoma in the east;[17] and the Yoruba (mainly the Okun, Ogori, Oworo, and Magongo subgroups) in the west and central.[18]

In the pre-colonial period, the area that is now Kogi State was split up between various states with some states being tiny and village-based as others were part of larger empires like the

British Nigeria before becoming independent as Nigeria in 1960. Originally, modern-day Kogi State was a part of the post-independence Northern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the North-Western State, Kwara State, and Benue-Plateau State. After Benue-Plateau and the North-Western states were split in 1976, Kogi became a part of the new Benue
and Niger states along with Kwara. Western Benue State, southeastern Kwara State, and far southern Niger State were broken off to form the new Kogi State.

Economically, Kogi State is largely based around

GDP in the country.[22]

Geography

Climate

The climate of the state has an annual rainfall total of between 1,100mm and 1,300mm. The rainy season lasts from April to October each year while the dry season last from November to March. The dry season is very dusty and cold as a result of the north-easterly winds, which bring in the harmattan.[23] Between 2001 and 2014 the built-up area increased by 10.68% and seven (7) adaptation strategies were employed by farmers in changing planting dates and change crop variety at 31%, 22%, and 21% respectively in response to change in rainfall.[24]

Flooding

In October 2022, Kogi State witnessed one of the worst

flood disaster in the history of the state. This is according to the state governor, Yahaya Bello, who said that "flooding has affected the nine LGAs which borders the Niger and Benue rivers to include, Lokoja, Kogi-Koto, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Bassa, Idah, Ibaji and Omala".[25]

2012 flooding

In 2012, floods ravaged the state of Kogi and others in Nigeria. A total of 623,690 displaced people were accommodated in 87 camps across the state during the period. Roads were unmotorable due to the flood. Many school buildings became refugee camps. Houses were submerged. Property and infrastructure was badly affected. Crops in farm fields were seriously damaged.[26][27] The flood caused deaths, loss of property and destruction of farmland and produce estimated at N63.4 billion in nine local government areas of Kogi state.[28]

Adjacent states

Kogi State is the only state in Nigeria that shares a boundary with ten other states.

History and people

The state is famous for its productivity in business and agriculture, cultural diversity, hospitable citizens and beautiful landmarks.

There are three main ethnic groups and languages in Kogi:

Magongo, and Idoma
.

The name

river Niger .[29]

Languages

Kogi is a multi-ethnic state with over multiple indigenous languages spoken in the state. The main languages are

Bassa Nge, Basa Komu, Kupa, Hausa, Osayen.[30]

The Okun (Yoruba) language is spoken in the

Kogi West Senatorial District
and Igbo is spoken in border areas.

Religion

Kogi is religiously diverse with about 45% of the state's population are Muslim with about 40% being Christian and the remaining 15% following traditional ethnic religions minorities.

Sheikh Aminu Sha'aban was turbaned as the Imam of Lokoja in December 2019. [31]

The Ecclesiastical Province of Lokoja with the Anglican Church of Nigeria led by Archbishop Daniel Abubakar Yisa covers Kogi and Niger States and includes the six Dioceses of Ijumu (2008) led by Bishop Paul Olarewaju Ojo (2018), Kabba (1996) led by Bishop Steven Kadoye Akobe (2010), Lokoja (1994) led by Bishop Emmanuel Egbunu (2004), Ogori-Magongo led by Bishop Festus Davies (2009), Okene (2008) led by Bishop Emmanuel Onsachi (2017) and Idah led by Bishop Joseph Musa (2005).

The Catholic Church includes the

Archdiocese of Abuja
.

Local government areas

See also: List of villages in Kogi State

Kogi State consists of twenty-one local government areas. Which are:

Tourism

Kogi -Lokoja Confluence

Tourist attractions in Kogi State include; The Azad's palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the colonial relics (such as

Igneous Rock
mountains and a traditional art & craft industry) and natural land features hills and terrains that serve as hiking trails.

Some tourists visit on day trips from Abuja, which is a two-hour drive away. Kogi State Tourism and Hotels Company Limited was established to promote tourism in the state. The state government plans and harnesses the high potentials of tourism including the development of historical landmarks at Lokoja.[32]

Transport and communications

Kogi State connects the Federal Capital Territory with 22 Southern States.

Federal Highways are:

Other major roads include

The River Niger and Benue are both navigable waterways.

Being in close proximity to the federal capital territory, Abuja International Airport serves as the national and international gateway for air travelers from and to the state. Good telecommunications services are available in the state.

Agriculture and resources

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. There are many

groundnuts, maize, cassava, yam, rice and melon
.

Mineral resources include

Obajana Cement Factory
, one of the largest cement factories in Africa.

Education

Kogi state is home to the Federal University (Lokoja),[33] Kogi State University[34] Anyigba, Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Federal Polytechnic Idah,[35]Kogi State Polytechnic[36] (Lokoja), Federal College of Education (Okene), College of Education (Ankpa), College of Agriculture Kabba, Kogi state college of education, technical (Kabba) and the Private Salem University,[37] Lokoja. There are a college of nursing and midwifery in Anyigba and Obangede, a School of health tech in Idah, and ECWA School of Nursing in Egbe.[38]

Sports

Kogi State has produced

handball, and table tennis, are actively promoted in the state.[citation needed
]

Sportsmen from the state include

World Indoor Championships, including a gold medal in 1997, and won a gold medal with the Nigerian team in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2000 Olympics
.

Politics

The State government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's house of assembly. The capital city of the state is Lokoja[39]

Electoral system

The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -thirds of the State's and local government Areas. If no candidate passes the threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas.[39]

Senate

Three senators have represented Kogi state since the return of democracy in 1999. The state is divided into three senatorial districts, with Kogi East, Kogi West and Kogi Central returning one senator each.[40]

Notable people

  • Danladi Mohammed Zakari, first military administrator of Kogi State.
  • Halima Abubakar, Nollywood Actress.[41]
  • Segun Adaju, entrepreneur, CEO of Consistent Energy Limited and President, of Renewable Energy Association Nigeria (REAN).[42]
  • Pius Adesanmi, Nigerian-born Canadian professor, writer, literary critic, satirist, and columnist.[43]
  • Smart Adeyemi, former senator representing Kogi West senatorial district.[44]
  • Nasir Ajanah, former chief Judge of Kogi State.[45]
  • S. A. Ajayi, Nigerian statesman who helped negotiate Nigeria's independence, former minister of forestry and former minister of education.[46]
  • Seth Sunday Ajayi, scientist, scholar, and first African Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Ecology.
  • Esther Titilayo Akinlabi, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), Nigeria. She was also the Head of Department, of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa.[47]
  • Shola Ameobi, former professional footballer who played as a striker.
  • Tolulope Arotile (1995–2020), Nigerian Air Force female helicopter pilot.[48]
  • Sefi Atta, novelist, short-story writer, playwright, and screenwriter.
  • Abubakar Audu, first civilian and two-term governor of the state (1992–1993 and 1999–2003).
  • Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State (2016–2024).
  • Joseph Benjamin, Actor.[49]
  • Darey - Darey Art Alade.
  • Abiodun Faleke, business management/logistics consultant and politician.
  • Ibrahim Idris, former governor of the state (2003–2008; 2008–2012).
  • Jaywon, Musician.
  • Juwon Lawal Razaq, businessman and entrepreneur
  • David Jemibewon, retired Major-General who served as military governor of the now defunct Western State, and later as minister of police affairs in the cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
  • Mercy Johnson, Nollywood Actress.[50]
  • Joseph Makoju, former GM of NEPA.
  • Dino Melaye, former Senator from Kogi West.
  • Oladele John Nihi, former President, National Youth Council of Nigeria 2019–2020. Vice President West Africa, Pan-African Youth Union (2021–present).
  • John Obaro, technology entrepreneur, public speaker, and founder of SystemSpecs Nigeria Limited.
  • Usman Ododo
    , governor of Kogi State since 2024.
  • Bayo Ojo, former attorney general of Nigeria.
  • Nike Davies-Okundaye, Nigerian batik and Adire textile designer.
  • Jide Omokore, prominent businessman with interests spanning oil trading/exploration, marine, haulage services, steel, dredging engineering, and property development.
  • Edward Onoja, chief of staff to Governor Yahaya Bello (2016–2019), deputy governor of Kogi State (2019–2024)
  • Praiz, songwriter, Artiste.[51]
  • Idris Wada, former governor of the state (2012–2016).
  • Folashade Yemi-Esan, head of the civil service of the federation.[52]
  • Natasha Akpoti, Nigerian Politician, activist and current serving senator representing Kogi central senotarial district (2023–present)

References

  1. ^ "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION". population.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Kogi State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Okeowo, Gabriel; Fatoba, Iyanuoluwa, eds. (13 October 2022). "State of States 2022 Edition" (PDF). Budgit.org. BudgIT. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  5. ^ a b "History". Kogi State Government. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  6. ^ Omole, Abayomi (21 October 2022). "Kogi Receives First Allocation As Oil-producing State". Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Boundary Disputes: Ekiti, Kwara, Osun States Embrace Peace – Ekiti State Website". Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  8. ^ Oluwole, Josiah (3 August 2022). "Terrorists' Threat: Ekiti, Kwara reach agreement on boundary patrol". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Administrative Map of Nigeria - Nations Online Project". www.nationsonline.org. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  10. ^ Onyeakagbu, Adaobi. "See how all the 36 Nigerian states got their names". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  11. ^ "This is how the 36 states were created". Pulse.ng. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  12. ^ Ogunyinka, Victor (27 August 2021). "Kogi at 30: The journey so far". Vanguard News. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  13. ^ A. B. MAMMAN, J.O. OYEBANJI (2000). Nigeria: A people united, A Future Assured. p. 333.
  14. ^ "IJMB Study Centre In Lokoja, IJMB Centres In Kogi State, IJMB Registration In Kogi State, Universities accepting IJMB In Kogi State". www.ijmb.org.ng. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Population 2006-2016". National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  16. ^ Abiodun, J.O. (1985). On polarization and Regional Development: An Empirical Study: Urban and Regional Planning problems in Nigeria. University of Ife Press Ltd. pp. 79–92.
  17. ^ "Place: Kogi, Nigeria - Genealogy". www.werelate.org. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  18. ^ kogistatehub (17 March 2022). "Indigenous Languages Spoken in Kogi State". Kogi State Hub. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  19. ^ unesdoc.unesco.org https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000065575. Retrieved 4 November 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ "History of Nigeria". nigerianembmexico. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  21. ThisDay
    . Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Human Development Indices". Global Data Lab. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  23. ^ Oguntoyin, J.S. (1987). A Geography of Nigerian Development. Ibadan: Heinemann.
  24. ^ Admin. "Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Land Use/Land Cover in Kogi State, Nigeria".
  25. ^ Onyedinefu, Godsgift (6 October 2022). "Motorists stranded, properties destroyed as Kogi battles 'worst flood'". Businessday NG. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Kogi after 2012 floods".
  27. ^ Odogwu, Greg (28 September 2022). "Lokoja flood: 2012 and lessons not learnt". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  28. ^ "'Kogi Lost Property Worth N63bn to Flood in 2012' - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  29. ^ "Dailytrust News, Sports and Business, Politics | Dailytrust". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Indigenous Languages Spoken in Kogi State - Kogi State Hub". 17 March 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  31. ^ https://dailytrust.com/sheikh-shaban-turbaned-as-new-imam-of-lokoja/
  32. ^ Kogi State (1992). investors guides to Kogi State.
  33. ^ "Official List of Courses Offered in Federal University, Lokoja (FULOKOJA) - Myschool". myschool.ng. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Full List of Art Courses offered in Kogi State University (KSU) for 2021-2022 Academic Session". NAIJSCHOOLS. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  35. ^ "List of Courses Offered by Federal Polytechnic Idah". www.myschoolgist.com. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  36. ^ "List of Courses Offered by Kogi State Polytechnic". www.myschoolgist.com. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  37. ^ "Official List of Courses Offered in Salem University (SALEM) - Myschool". myschool.ng. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  38. ^ "ECWA School of Nursing Egbe – Nursing for Christ…". Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  39. ^ a b Oguntola, Tunde (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  40. ^ "List of senators". Pulse news. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  41. ^ "Stalking Nollywood's beloved actress, Halima Abubakar". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  42. ^ Simire, Michael (26 July 2021). "Energy crisis: How investment in renewables, distribution mechanisms can bridge deficit – Segun Adaju". EnviroNews Nigeria. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Canadian varsity unveils centre in honour of Pius Adesanmi". Punch Newspapers. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  44. ^ "Senator Smart Adeyemi, CON - Nigpilot Personality". The Nigerian Pilot News. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Kogi CJ, who died in isolation centre, buried in Abuja". Punch Newspapers. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  46. ^ Adeolu (17 September 2019). "AJAYI, Mr. Samuel Aliyu (OFR)". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  47. ^ "Countering perceptions about engineering and women". University World News. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Tolulope Arotile… Salute to superwoman who broke glass ceiling". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  49. ^ Makori, Edwin Kwach (11 November 2020). "Joseph Benjamin biography: Age, wife, movies, where is he from?". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  50. ISBN 978-1-137-47289-2
  51. ^ Adeyemo, Adeola (18 August 2012). "BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: The "Rich & Famous" Crooner, Praiz takes us into His World – Meet the Man Behind that Unique Voice!". BellaNaija. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  52. ^ "10 facts you should know about Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan, Acting Head of Service -". The NEWS. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2021.

External links

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