History
Kogi state came into being as
a result of the state creation exercise on 27th
of August, 1991 with the administrative headquarters
in Lokoja.
The creation of the state was
indeed a significant development for its citizens.
This is because it brought about the reunion of
a people who had shared historical roots and co-existed
peacefully with the former Kabba province in the
defunct Northern Region for more than 80 years.
The state which is structured
into 21 LGA’s comprises of three major ethnic
groups i.e. Igala, Ebira and Okun (Yoruba) other
minor groups include – Bassa Komo, Bassa
Nge, Kakanda, Kupa, Ogori-Magongo, Nupe, Oworo,
Gwari etc.
There are 8 languages
spoken as first language in Kogi State. Ebira,
Igala, Nupe and Yoruba are major languages. The
other languages are minority languages.
Climate
Kogi State has an average maximum
temperature of 33.2oC and average minimum of 22.8oC.
Lokoja the |State capital is generally hot throughout
the year. The State has two distinct weather viz
dry season, which lasts from November to February
and rain season that lasts from March to October.
Annual rainfall ranges from 1016mm to 1524mm.
The vegetation of the state consist
of mixed leguminous (guinea) woodland to forest
savannah. Wide expanse of fadama in the river
basing and long stretches of tropical forest in
the Western and Southern belt of the state.
Demography
Kogi
state has a total land area of 28,313.53 square
kilometres and a projected population of 3.3 million
people. It lies on latitude 7.49oN and longitude
6.45oE with a geological feature depicting young
sedimentary rocks and alluvium along the riverbeds,
which promotes agricultural activities. The state
features ferrasols soil type and famous hills
like ososo hills, which spread from Edo State
to the western part of Kogi State and aporo hill
on the eastern part. Another famous mountain is
Mount Patti, which lies in Lokoja and stands at
about 750 metres above sea level. |
