Lokoja
Lokoja | |
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UTC+1 (WAT) | |
Climate | Aw |
Lokoja is a city in
Etymology
Different ethnic groups lay claim to having named the city.
- The city's name is documented to have come from the Yoruba ( Oworo ) phrase; Ilu Oke Oja ("The market town/settlement located on the hill").[8]
- The Hausa believe the name comes from Loko Ja ("A red corner") and that the city was named by the emir of Zazzau.
- The Nupe believe the name comes from Patti Lukongi ("The hill of doves").
History
The area that would become Lokoja has been inhabited for hundreds of years by people from different ethnic groups prior to the arrival of Europeans. The migrations of these groups to the area could be in part accounted for by its nearness to the banks of the Niger and Benue rivers. Some of the first groups of people to settle in Lokoja were the Oworo people/Yoruba from Ile-Ife. Nupe groups like the Kupa and Kakandas said to have migrated downstream the Niger from the town of Baro and other parts of present-day Niger State to the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers joined in later.[6] This area eventually became a center of trade.[9]
The Nupe and
The Bassa-Nges believe that they settled at the foot of Mount Patti when they came into Lokoja, before later moving again and migrating to settle across the Benue, just to the north of the Igalas. Whatever the case may be, it is difficult to categorically state in what order any or each of these groups came after the Oworos to settle in Lokoja town. These different groups lived in different quarters of the town but were closely related socio-politically. They interacted freely and tolerated one another. Present day Lokoja is ruled by the Maigari (chief) of Lokoja, and his 12 Hakimi (Sub chiefs). It is important to note however, that each group have their own local criteria: for example, the Maigari has no jurisdiction over the Olu of Oworo (whose traditional jurisdiction begins from Felele), but he does have authority over Ganaja, Kwakware, Sarkin Numa, Adankolo, ward A to ward E and other villages of Lokoja urban.
The present modern
The city's population has since grown to an estimated count of over 90,000 inhabitants.[12] It is a trade center with respect to its agricultural products; this is because it is situated at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, and is close to the federal capital of Nigeria in Abuja. It is also home to Kogi State Polytechnic and the newly established Federal University Lokoja.[13]
Near Lokoja, in Ajaokuta, are metallurgy facilities and iron ore mines.
The Local Government Area
Lokoja is also a
Climate
Climate data for Lokoja | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 38.9 (102.0) |
38.9 (102.0) |
40.0 (104.0) |
38.9 (102.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
38.9 (102.0) |
37.2 (99.0) |
36.7 (98.1) |
37.2 (99.0) |
37.2 (99.0) |
37.2 (99.0) |
37.8 (100.0) |
40.0 (104.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 33.2 (91.8) |
35.2 (95.4) |
35.5 (95.9) |
34.3 (93.7) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.2 (86.4) |
29.7 (85.5) |
30.1 (86.2) |
31.3 (88.3) |
33.0 (91.4) |
32.9 (91.2) |
32.4 (90.3) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.9 (80.4) |
28.8 (83.8) |
29.9 (85.8) |
29.2 (84.6) |
28.0 (82.4) |
26.8 (80.2) |
26.4 (79.5) |
25.8 (78.4) |
25.9 (78.6) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.9 (80.4) |
25.8 (78.4) |
27.3 (81.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.8 (69.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.8 (76.6) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.7 (72.9) |
22.6 (72.7) |
22.5 (72.5) |
22.5 (72.5) |
21.5 (70.7) |
19.9 (67.8) |
22.7 (72.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | 6.1 (43.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
11.1 (52.0) |
16.1 (61.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
14.4 (57.9) |
15.6 (60.1) |
15.0 (59.0) |
10.6 (51.1) |
6.1 (43.0) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 4.6 (0.18) |
12.8 (0.50) |
43.5 (1.71) |
95.0 (3.74) |
151.0 (5.94) |
158.8 (6.25) |
172.6 (6.80) |
165.8 (6.53) |
208.8 (8.22) |
137.7 (5.42) |
14.4 (0.57) |
2.0 (0.08) |
1,167.1 (45.95) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.3 mm) | 0.8 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 6.0 | 9.5 | 10.2 | 12.7 | 12.8 | 15.2 | 9.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 82.4 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
63 | 61 | 65 | 71 | 76 | 80 | 82 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 75 | 70 | 74 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 229.4 | 237.3 | 226.3 | 198.0 | 217.0 | 192.0 | 164.3 | 124.0 | 147.0 | 210.8 | 252.0 | 257.3 | 2,455.4 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 7.4 | 8.4 | 7.3 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 6.4 | 5.3 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 6.8 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 6.7 |
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[15] |
Geography
Lokoja lies about 7.8023° North of the equator and 6.7333° E east of the Meridian. It is about 165 km Southwest of Abuja as the crow flies, and 390 km Northeast of Lagos by same measure. Residential districts are of varying density, and the city has various suburbs such as Felele, Adankolo, Otokiti and Ganaja. The town is situated in the tropical Wet and Dry savanna climate zone of Nigeria, and temperatures remain hot year-round.
Religion and culture
Given the multi-ethnic nature of the town, there are various festivals, events and socio-cultural activities depending on the people's group. Thus, no particular group's festivals or their socio-cultural activities can be said to be the most prominent. For instance, the Agbo masquerade festival is celebrated by the Oworo people between the months of March and April every year. Other Okuns also celebrate the Oro / Egungun festival while generally, the fishermen in Lokoja celebrate the Donkwo fishing festival and this also comes up in March/April. It is also worthy to mention that editions of Lokoja boat regatta are held, albeit not regularly.[7]
Religiously, Islam, Christianity and traditional religion exist in Lokoja. The Muslims go to their mosques for their worship while the Christians do the same in their various churches. Religious festivals include the Muslim Eids and the Christian Christmas and Easter.
Markets
Lokoja has three major markets: New Market (International Market), Old Market and Kpata Market. Kpata Market and New Market have their market day every Five Days. The essential products sold in these markets are grains, vegetables and general household items.
References
- ^ HASC, population, area and Headquarters Statoids
- ^ "Lokoja | Location, History, Facts, & Population | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "Encyclopædia Britannica". Retrieved 2007-04-06.
- ^ a b "Complete List of Tribes in Kogi State Nigeria | AllNigeriaInfo". 15 January 2018. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ "Ranked: The World's Fastest Growing Cities". virtual capitalist. 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
- ^ a b "History". KGSG. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ a b A.B Mamman, J.O. Oyebanji (2000). Nigeria: A people United, A Future Assured.
- ISBN 978-1-136-96938-6. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ Obaro, Ikime (1980). Grounded work of Nigerian History. Heinemann Educational Books.
- ^ "Kogi State of Nigeria :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ "WorldStatesmen.org". Retrieved 2007-04-06.
- ^ "No13.(PDF)" (PDF).
- ^ Idris Ahmed (October 17, 2005). "Gov. Idris Okays N80m for Kogi Polytechnic-". Newsday. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 2012-11-26. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ "Klimatafel von Lokoja / Nigeria" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
External links
- Lokoja travel guide from Wikivoyage