History of Kogi State Nigeria

Kogi state is situated in the North central part of Nigeria, popularly referred to as the Middle Belt. The State was carved out of Kwara and Benue States in 1991 covering the former Kabba Area. The State is referred to as “Confluence State”, Lokoja which is the capital is confluence of River Niger and River Benue. Lokoja is the first Administrative capital in Nigeria. Koji State is also has a guy name called “Junction State”. It has twenty-seven Local Government and three Senatorial District Zones.

History of Kogi State

Kogi State was carved out of Benue and Kwara States on August 27, 1991 during the Military reign. Its Capital is Lokoja. The State is referred as a Confluence State.  The State is called a junction State because it has boundaries with Ten States, which are Anambra, Enugu, Benue, Nassarawa, Niger River, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo States and Abuja, are joined together by this State. Kogi State is also blessed with wonders of Mother Nature such as Hills and beautiful natural scenery. One will say Abuja and Kogi State are very close to each other, you can move a stone throw to each State.

Nigeria was coined in Lokoja, by Flora Shaw, (British Journalist) the wife of Lord Lugard (first Governor of Nigeria). She likes the magnificence of the greatest in Nigeria, the River Niger.

SEE ALSO>>>History of  Kwara State<<<

Ethnic Group of Kogi State

There are three major ethnic group in Kogi State, such as, Igala, Ebira and Okun, also the minor Ethnic groups are, Bassa, Nupe, Lokoja, Ogugu(sub group of Igala), Gwari, Kalanda, Ogarimagongo and Eggan communities located in Lokoja Local Government Area.

Kogi state is the only State that has the WAZOBAI (Hausa,Yorbuba,Igbo) languages spoken by the people in the State.

Ø  The Hausa

Are the Ethnicity of King (Maigari) and ruling families of Lokoja, is one that has a difficult to ascertain. There are over hundred years ago joining of the Hausa –Fulains and Nupe in Lokoja.

Ø  The Yoruba

The people speaking Yoruba language in Kogi State are Okun. They are also from the origin of Ile-Ife.

Ø  The Igbo

The Igala and Igbo have a common trace of background. Based on the History of Igala and Igbo, they have a common Heritage and Traditional names, Language, vocabulary similarities, Masquerades and also mixed communities. The major places Igala people live in are origin lands of the Igbo People.

Kogi State Population

2006 national Population census reported the population of Kogi State to be 3,314, 043

Males = 1,672,903 and Females = 1,641,140.

Tribes in Kogi State

There are several tribe in Kogi state. They include;

Ø  Ebira

Ø  Igala

Ø  Nupe

Ø  Okun

Ø  Idoma

Ø  Gwandara

Ø  Ogori

Ø  Magongo

Kogi State Local Government Areas

There are twenty-one local government Areas in Kogi State.

Adavi                                     Ajaokuta                                              Ankpa

Bassa                                     Dekina                                                  Ibaji

Idah                                       Karfe-Kofon                                       Igalamela-Odolu

Ijumu                                    Ogori/Magongo                                Kabba/Bunu

Lokoja                                   Ofu                                                        Mopa-Muro

Okehi                                    Okene                                                  Olamaboro

Omala                                   Yagba West                                        Yagba East

Map of Kogi State

Kogi State Map
Kogi State Map

 Wards in Kogi State

Local GovernmentWards
AdaviAdaviEba, Ege/Iruvochinomi, Kuroko I, Kuroko II, Iruvucheba,Idanuhua, Ikaraworo/ Idobanyere,  Inoziomi/Ipaku/Osisi, Nagazi Farm center, Ogaminana, Okunchi/ Ozuri/ Onieka
AjaokutaAbode/Patesi, Achagana, Adogo, Adogu/ Apamira/Ogodo, Uhuovene, Badoko, Ebiya north, Ebiya South, Ganaja/Ajaokuta Township, Ogigiri, Ichuwa/Upaja, Odonu/Unosi, Omgbo, Obangede/Ohunene/UkokoInyere, Old Ajaokuta
AnkpaAnkpa i, Ankpa ii, Ankpa suburb i, Ankpa suburb II, Ankpa township, Enjema I, Enjema II, Enjema III, Enjema IV, Ojoku I, Ojoku II, Ojoku III, Ojoku IV
BassaAkuba i, Akuba ii, Ayede/Akakana, Eforo, Gboloko, Ikende, Kapata, Mozum, Ozongulo/ Kpanche, Ozugbe
DekinaAbocho, AdumuEgume, Anyigba, Dekina Town, Emewe, Iyale, Odu i, Odu ii, OganeInigu, Ogbabede, Ojikpadala, Okura Olafia
IbajiAkpanyo, Analo, Ayah, Ejule, Iyano, Ojila,Odeka, Onyedega, Ujeh, Unale
Igalamela-OdoluAjake i, Ajake ii, Akpanya, Avrugo, Ekuloko, Odolu, Oforachi I, Oforachi II, Oji-aji, Ubele
IdahEde, Ega, Ichala, Igalaogba, Igecheba, Ogegele, OwoliApa, SabonGari, Ugwoda, Ukwaja
OkehiEika/Ohizenyi, Obaiba I, Obaiba II, Obangede/ Uhuodo, ObarokeEba, OborokeUvete I, OborokeUvete II, Ohupe/OmaviUboro, Okuheu, Ohueta, Okaito/Usungwen,
OlamaboroImane i, Imane ii, Ogugu i Ogugu ii, Ogugu III, Olamaboro I, Olamaboro II, Olamaboro III, Olamaboro IV, Olamaboro V
OfuAloji, Aloma, Ejule Allah, Iboko/Efakwu, Igo, Itobe/Okokenyi, Ochadamu, Ofoke, Ogbonicha, Ugwolawo 2, Ugwolawo I
OmalaAbejukolo I, Abejukolo II, Akpacha, Bagaji, Bagana, IchekeAjopachi, Ogodu, Oji Aji, Okpatala, Olla, Opoda/Ofejiji
Ogori/MagongoAiyeromi, Eni, IIetju, Obatgben, Obinoyin, Okesi, Okibo, Oshobane, OturuOpowuroye, Ugugu
OkeneAbuga/Ozuja, Barki, Idoji, OhehiraUvetta, OhehiraEba, Obessa, Orietesu, Onyukoko , Otutu, Upogoro/Odenku, OkeneEba/Agassa/Ahache
Koto-KarfeAkpasu, Chikara north, Chikara south, GeguBeki north, GeguBeki south, Girinya, KotonKarfe south east, OdakiKotonKarfe, Tawari, UkwoKotonKarfe
IjumuAiyegunle, Aiyere/Arimah, Aiyetoro I, Aiyetoro II, EgbedaEgga/Okedayo,Ekinrin Ade, Ibgolayere /Ilaere, Iffe/Ikoyi/Okejumu, IIeteju/Origa, Iyah /Ayeh, Iyameye, Iyara, Odokoro, Ogale/Aduge, Ogidi
Kabba-BunuAiyeteju, Aiyetoro –Kiri, Aiyewa, Akutupa-Kiri, Astua, Egbeda, IIuke, Odo-Akete, Odo-ape, Odolu, Okebukun, Okedayo, Okekoko, Otu, Olle/Oke-ofin
LokojaEggan, Kakanda, Kupa north east, Kupa south west, Lokoja a, Lokoja b, Lokoja c, Lokoja d, Lokoja e, Oworo
Mopa-MuroAgbafogun, Aiyedayo/Aiyedaro, Aiyede/Okagi, Iietju 1, IIetju 2, Odole 1, Odole 2, Okeagi/IIai, Orokore, TaketeIdde/Otafun
Yagba EastAlu/Igbagun/Oranre, Ejuku, Ife Olukotun i, Ife Olukotun ii, IIafin/Idofin/OdoOgba, Itedo, Jege/Oke/AgiOgbom/Isao, Makutu i, Makutu ii, Ponyan
Yagba WestEjiba, IsauluEsa/Okoloke/Okunran, Iyamerin/Igbaruku, OdoEgbe, OdoAra Omi Ogga, OdoEgbe i, OdoEgbe ii, Odo Ere Oke Ere, OdoEriOkoto, Ogbe, OkeEgbe i, OkeEgbe ii, OkeEgbe iii, OkeEgbe IV

Economy of Kogi State

The State is mainly into farming as asource of Livelihood for the Inhabitants of Kogi State. The crops Harvested there are cassava, yam, rice, maize, guinea corn, beans, soya beans, ash and millet. Kogi State is blessed with richa mineral such that includes, Lime stone, Marble deposits, Gold, Iron Ore, Columbite, coal and Aquamarine. There is multi-billion dollar Steel and iron industry, (the biggest in Nigeria) was formed in 1971 on a Hectare land. This Industry is seen as potential Bedrock for industrialization of Nigeria.

Senatorial District Zones in Kogi states

  • Kogi Central
  • Kogi East
  • Kogi West

There are twenty-one Local Government Areas group under these three Zones in kogi State

ZonesLocal Government Areas
Kogi Central

 

Adavi, Ajaokuta,Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, Okene
Kogi EastAnkpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro, Omala
Kogi westKoton-Karfe, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja, Mopa-Muro, Yagba West, Yagba East

Interesting Places in Kogi State

Ø  Rock Mountains and a Traditional Art & Craft Industry

Ø  The First Prison in Northern Nigeria

Ø  Tombs of some deposed Northern Emirs

Ø  European Colonial Cemeteries

Ø  The Iron of Liberty-this represent the spot salves that gain freedom in the late 19th century

Ø  Lord Fredrick Lugard’s First residence in Nigeria

Ø  The World War Cenotaph

Kogi State Culture

Kogi State has many Festivals. These festivals are, Italo, Egbe, Ibegwu and Ogani , they are mainly for the Igalas. Apanigbe fishing festival in Mopa,Emidun new year festival mostly celebrated by the Okun people. OviaOsese in Ogori-Magongo, Ekuechi are mainly for the Ebira people.

The Government in Kogi state
Kogi State government is divided into three arms, namely;
The Executive Arm
This arm is headed by the elected governor of the State, assisted by those he appoints to work with Him in the State government. YAHAYA BELLO is the current governor of Kogi State.
The Legislative Arm
they convene at the Imo State Assembly in Lokoja the capital of Kogi State. This comprises of 25 members elected by the people of the 25 constituencies of Kogi State. MATHEW KOLAWOLE is the speaker of the Kogi State Assembly.
The Judicial Arm
This is headed by the chief judge of the State, NASIRU AJANAHI is the current judge of KogiState.

SEE ALSO>>>History of Jigawa State<<<

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