Kogi State

For the Amerindian tribe, see Kogis. For other uses, see Kogi (disambiguation).

Kogi State
—  State  —
Nickname(s): The Confluence State
Location of Kogi State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°30′N 6°42′E / 7.5°N 6.7°E / 7.5; 6.7Coordinates: 7°30′N 6°42′E / 7.5°N 6.7°E / 7.5; 6.7
Country	Nigeria
Date created	27 August 1991
Capital	Lokoja
Government
– Governor (List)	Ibrahim Idris (PDP)
– Senators
– Representatives
Area
– Total	29,833 km2 (11,518.6 sq mi)
Area rank	13th of 36
Population (1991 census)
– Total	2,099,046
– Estimate (2005)	3,595,789
– Rank	24th of 36
– Density	70.4/km2 (182.2/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
– Year	2007
– Total	$4.64 billion[1]
– Per capita	$1,386[1]
Time zone	WAT (UTC+01)
ISO 3166 code	NG-KO

Kogi state is found in the central region of Nigeria^[2]. It is popularly called the Confluence State because the confluence of River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria.

It was in Lokoja, that the name Nigeria , was coined by Flora Shaw, the future wife of Baron Lugard, a British colonial administrator,while gazing out at the river that stretched before her in the late 19th century.

Geography

Adjacent States

• Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria) – to the north
• Nasarawa State – to the north east
• Benue State – to the east
• Enugu State – to the south east
• Anambra State – to the south
• Edo State – to the south west
• Ondo State – to the west
• Ekiti State – to the west
• Kwara State – to the north west
• Niger State – to the north

History and people

The state was formed in 1991 from parts of Kwara State and Benue State. The State as presently constituted, comprises the peoples of the defunct Kabba Province of Northern Nigeria.

There are three main ethnic groups and languages in Kogi: Igala, Ebira, and Okun (similar to Yoruba) with other minorities like Bassa, a small fraction of Nupe mainly in Lokoja, Gwari, Kakanda, Oworo people (similar to Yoruba),ogori magongo and the Eggan community under Lokoja Local Government.

Local Government Areas

Kogi State contains 21 of Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas. They are:

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

Tourism

Kogi State, by virtue of its geography, offers tourists unique experience. These attractions include natural land features, fascinating sceneries, historic monuments and relics. Being only 2-hour drive from Abuja, tourists can plan day trips to the sites. Important tourist attractions in Kogi State include the colonial relics (such as Lord Lugard House), the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, Ogidi (An African town with formations of Igneous Rock mountains and a traditional art & craft industry).

Transport and communications

Kogi State connects the Federal Capital Territory with 22 Southern States. Being in close proximity to the federal capital territory, Abuja International Airport serves as the national and international gateway for air travellers from and to the state. Good telecommunications services are available in the state.

Agriculture and resources

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy and the principal cash crops There are many Farm produce from the state notably coffee, cocoa, palm oil, cashews, groundnuts, maize, cassava, yam, rice and melon.

Mineral resources include coal, limestone, iron, petroleum and tin. The state is home to the largest iron and steel industry in Nigeria known as Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.One of the largest cement factories in Africa,the Obajana Cement Factory has just been built there.This cement company is a subsidiary of Dangote Group, owned by a multi-Billionaire business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Education

Kogi state is home to the Kogi State University.

Sports

Kogi State has produced sprinters such as Sunday Bada and other sportsmen, who have contributed to the growth of sports worldwide. Kogi United and Babanawa F.C. are football teams based in the state. Other sports, such as swimming, handball, and table tennis are actively promoted in the state.

Among other sportsmen produce by the state is Shola Ameobi, an Ayetoro Gbede born Ijumu, English footballer, currently playing for Newcastle United as a striker.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Canback Dangel. http://www.cgidd.com. Retrieved 2008-08-20. 
2. ^ http://hospitalitynigeria.com/kogi.php

External links

• State website