| Capital: |
Lokoja |
| Area: |
sq
kilometres |
| Population: |
2,539,241
(1997 FOS est.) |
| Language: |
Yoruba,
Nupe, Ebira |
Location
Kogi State is the
most centrally located of all the states of the
federation. It comprises the Igala, Ebira, Kabba,
Yoruba and Kogi divisions of the former Kabba
province. It shares common boundaries with
Niger, Kwara, Nassarawa and The Federal Capital
Territory to the north.
To the East, the
state is bounded by Benue and Enugu states, to
the south by Enugu and Anambra States, and to
the west by Ondo, Ekiti and Edo states. Lokoja,
the Niger/Benue confluence town is the state
capital. Ethnically, Yoruba, Nupe and Bassa
forming the main ethnic groups.
History
Kogi State was
cared out of Benue and Kwara States on August
27, 1991 by the Federal Military Government.
Kogi State is the most centrally located of all
the states of the federation. It comprises the
Igala, Ebira, Kabba, Yoruba and Kogi divisions
of the former Kabba province. It shares common
boundaries with Niger, Kwara, Nassarawa and The
Federal Capital Territory to the north. To the
east, the state is bounded by Benue and Enugu
states, to the south by Enugu and Anambra
States, and to the west by Ondo, Ekiti and Edo
states. Lokoja, the Niger/Benue confluence town
is the state capital. Ethnically, Yoruba, Nupe
and Bassa forming the main ethnic groups.
Agriculture
The majority of
the people of the state are farmers.
Mineral
Resources
The state is
richly blessed with mineral resources such as
coal which is found in Okaba, Ogboyaga and
Koton-Karte.
Limestone and
marble deposits are found in Ajaokuta, Jakura,
Ososo, Osara, while Cassiterite, columbite and
tantalite are found in Egbe. Gold is also found
in Isanlu in East Yagba Local Government Area
while Iron Ore can be found at Itakpe, Okene.
Tourism
The proximity of
the state to the new federal capital territory
(Abuja) and its rich mineral and agricultural
resources, would certainly turn the state into a
leading commercial centre in Nigeria in the near
future. Tourist attractions such as Lord
Lugard's residence and office can be seen in
Lokoja.
There are also
the spot where the Royal Niger Company flag was
lowered in 1890, the iron of liberty - the spot
where slaves were freed in 1860.
The biggest
European cemetery in Nigeria containing the
remains of the European soldiers of the West
African Frontier Force (WAFF) stationed in
Lokoja until 1926 and those of European
missionaries. Some of the tomb stones in the
cemeteries date as far back as 1867.
There is also the
World War cenotaph-this is a war memorial
erected in memory of the soldiers who died
during the two world wars. There is a list of
names of some soldiers who distinguished
themselves in the wars on a table.
Niger-Benue
confluence - This forms a beautiful scenery
visible either from a boat travelling southward
on the river or from the top of Mount Patti.
