Kogi, is a state in the central region of Nigeria. It is popularly called the Confluence State because of the confluence of River Niger and River Benue at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria. Agriculture is the main part of the state economy with fishing in the riverine areas like Lokoja, Idah, Ibaji, Ogugu, etc., and the state also has coal, petroleum, limestone, steel and other mineral industries. The main ethnic groups are Igala, Ebira, Bassa Nge and Okun.
Kogi state is the only state in Nigeria which shares a boundary with ten other states.
History and people
The state was created in 1991 from parts of Kwara State and Benue State. Igala is the majority ethnic group in the state. The state as presently constituted, comprises the people of the Kabba Province of Northern Nigeria. One of the first Qadi in the Kogi State was Faruk Imam. There are three main ethnic groups and languages in Kogi: Igala, Ebira, and Okun with other such as Bassa Nge, a people of Nupe extraction in Lokoja and Bassa Local Government Area, Bassa-Komo of Bassa Local Government Area, Gwari, Kakanda, Oworo people, Ogori, Magongo, Idoma and the NUPE people of Eggan community under Lokoja Local Government. The name , was coined in Lokoja by Flora Shaw in the hill of Mount Patti, the future wife of Baron Lugard, a British colonial administrator, while gazing out at the riverNiger.
Tourist attractions in Kogi State include the colonial relics, Mount Patti, World War Cenotaph, the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, Ogidi and natural land features hills and terrains that serve as hiking trails. Being a 2-hour drive from Abuja some tourists come for day trips.
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 travelers from and to the state. Good telecommunications services are available in the state.
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. The Kogi state Sports Council had a track record of Directors and great personnel team Who at one time or the other had worked with the vision of putting the State fully on the world map. Among them are personalities like Mr. Francis Umoru, Mr. Mohammed Emeje, Mr. Benjamin O. Ameje, Mr. A. Ogido, Mr. Joel J. Abu and others. Among other sportsmen produce by the state is Shola Ameobi, an Ayetoro Gbede born Ijumu, English footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers as a striker, late Sunday Bada 400 Metres Olympic Champion from Ogidi in Ijumu Local Govt. of the state.
Senate
have always represented Kogi state since the return of democracy in 1999 at Senate with Kogi East, Kogi West and Kogi Central producing one each.
S. A. Ajayi A Nigeria founding father, former minister of forestry, minister of education, member house of Rep, Oluwole of Ijumu Land, Balogun-Bajito of Ogidi-Ijumu Maiyegun of OKoro Gbede.
Abubakar Audu, the first civilian and two terms governor of the state
