| Kwara State State nickname: State of Harmony |
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| Location | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Statistics | ||
| Governor (List) |
Bukola Saraki (PDP) | |
| Date Created | 27 May 1967 | |
| Capital | Ilorin | |
| Area | 36,825 km² Ranked 9th |
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| Population 1991 Census 2005 estimate |
Ranked 31st 1,566,469 2,591,555 |
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| GDP (PPP) -Total -Per Capita |
2007 (estimate) $3.84 billion[1] $1,585[1] |
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| ISO 3166-2 | NG-KW | |
Kwara State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin and its governor is Bukola Saraki. The primary ethnic group of Kwara State is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba and Fulani minorities.
Contents |
History
Kwara State was created on 27 May 1967, when the Federal Military Government of General Yakubu Gowon broke the four regions that then constituted the Federation of Nigeria into 12 states. At its creation, the state was made up of the former Ilorin and Kabba provinces of the then Northern Region and was initially named the West Central State but later changed to "Kwara", a local name for the River Niger. The capital of the state is Ilorin, which lies 306km northeast of Lagos and 500km southwest of Abuja. Other notable towns include Erin-Ile, Offa, Oro-Ago, Omu-Aran and Igbaja.
Kwara State has since 1976 reduced considerably in size as a result of further state creation exercises in Nigeria. On 13 February 1976, the Idah/Dekina part of the state was carved out and merged with a part of the then Benue/Plateau State to form Benue State.
On 27 August 1991, five local government areas, namely Oyi, Yagba, Okene, Okehi and Kogi were also excised to form part of the new Kogi State, while a sixth, Borgu Local Government Area, was merged with Niger State.
Local Government Areas
There are sixteen Local Government Areas in the state. They are:
Tourism
Important tourist attractions in Kwara State include Esie Museum, Owu Falls, Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Kanji Lake National Parks Agbonna Hill Share among other attractions.
Transport
The Nigerian Railway Corporation extends services from Lagos through the state to the northern part of the country. The Ilorin Airport is a major center for both domestic and international flights and has now been built up into a hub for transportation of cargoes.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, and the principal cash crops are cotton, cocoa, coffee, kolanuts, tobacco leaves, beniseed and palm produce. Agricultural institutes located in the State are the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, (ARMTI), National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization and Niger River Basin Development Authority, all located in Ilorin. The Agricultural Research Project of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife at Balla provides farmers with vital information on modern agricultural techniques. The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Agricultural Development Project (ADP) provide both the infrastructural and storage facilities. Among these are seed multiplication, model farms, land development and inputs distribution. All these have helped to boost agricultural production and services in the state.
Education
The state has a federal university, a state university (http://www.kwasu.edu.ng) that commences in the 2009/2010 session and a private university, two polytechnics, three colleges of education, school of Health technology and school of nursing.
Sports
Sporting activities are managed by the State Sports Council. The importance attached to sports led to the construction of a stadium complex. The facilities available at the stadium complex are mainbowl, indoor sports hall, hostel, recreational press center as well as an Olympic size swimming pool.
People from Kwara State
Notable People from Kwara State include:
- Dr. Olushola Saraki- Olooooye- A popular politician
- Sulu Gambari, Emir of Ilorin
- Rtd Major Gen Abdullahi Mohammed - (aka Atotileto)- Former Chief of Staff of the Federation
- Immam Muhammad Bashir(Immam Fulani) Chief Immam of Ilorin
- Mallam Zakariyah Sallahudeen (Quran Memoriser, Eloquent Speaker and Preacher)
- Ustadh Mahammud (Alfa Eko-Ende)- A famous Schorlar)-Amule Olomo Oba,Ode Ologede,Ilorin
- Prof. Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, Executive Chairman - Federal Character Commission, The Presidency - Abuja.
- Dr. Stella Oyedepo (Yeye Meso of Omu-Aran land) - Prolific playwright and Executive Director, Kwara State Council for Arts & Culture
- Hussein Lawal, MD/CE of City Group: City Computers and Telecommunications, City Solar Electricity Ltd,from Erin-ile
- Engr. Sunday Kayode Solomon Olubadewo,Owner of former GAS Airline, from Oro-Ago
- Engr.Tunji Kadiri, MD/CEO STK Construction NIgeria Ltd., Oro-Ago
- Sir Stephen Lanre Alashi,Oro-Ago
- Bar. Mahmud AbdulRaheem, GM, Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation
- Hon. Justice Daniel Ishola Adeniyi,Oloro of Oro-Ago
- His Royal Majesty Olomu of omu-Aran, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye
- Bishop David Oyedepo, Living Faith Church
- Bishop David Abioye, Living Faith Church, from Erin-Ile
- Adebisi Ajiboye, Banker and Credit Rating Expert
- Kola Adefila]], Estate Valuer
- Kunle Oyinloye, Executive Director - Unity Bank Plc
- Segun Abolarin, Telecom Consultant
- Chief (Gen) D. L. Bamigboye..rtd, Asiwaju of Igbomina Land and First Governor of Kwara State
- Col. Theophilus O. Bamigboye (Rtd)
- Admiral Abolarin (Rtd)
- Chief Bisi Adeyemi, Akeweje of Omu-Aran
- Prince Agbo Abegunde
- Chief S. Adeniyi
- Chief (Prof) Abogunrin, Eesa of Omu-Aran
- Gov. Muhammed Lawal (Now Late), Former Governor
- Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun, Olofa of Offa
- Adesoye Emmanueal, asiwaju of Offa
- Alhaji Sanni Akande Adeyemi, Eeso-Isale Compound Offa
- Alhaji Yeqeen Olaniyi Oroye, Onipede oke Akingbasa Compound Offa
- Abdul-Ganiyu Ibrahim MFR, Elerin of Erin-Ile
- Adeyeye Fagbemi, Onijagbo of Ijagbo
- J.S Aderigbe, Basorun of Erin-Ile
- Ibrahim Gambari, diplomat
- Prince Abdulazeez Tajudeen Ayegushi of Oke ola oro Germany Based Businessman
- Lagbaja, musician
- Yaqub, Olajide Taofik (Sanmora) IT Consultant - Lagos/US Based
- Kofoworola Wale R (Sanmora) [Creative Artist - Lagos State Society of Artist
- Tony Tetuila, musician
- Kollington Ayinla "aka Kebe Kwara", musician
- Pasuma Alabi, musician
- Prince Usman Tajudeen Ayegushi of Oke ola oro Businessman
- abimbola s. raheem,
- Asher Akins Toye, President SimonEdward Holdings
- Chief C. O. Adebayo, Politician
- Tajudeen Audu, Tajuaudu & Co
- Samuel Adedoyin, Doyin Group & Co.
- Victor Adefila, President NGL, Founder Center for Nigerian Project(CNP)
- Prince Simeon Aderemi Toye, Global 2000 Representative
- Olupo of Ajase Ipo
- Tunde Adebimpe, musician
- Tajudeen Raheem, "aka maiye" International Businessman
- Alhaji Chief Aliu Abiodun Yusuff London based Businessman (Erin-Ile)
- Alhaji Engr Ibrahim Aleshinloye, Former General Manager Kwara Express
- Rev. George Adegboye, Rhema Chapel
- Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo, The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA)
- Chief Dr Funsho Ladipo, RJOLAD HOSPITAL
- Abdulateef Femi Usman, Phd, Dept. of History, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
- Dr S. A. Kuranga Chief Medical Director
- Mrs R.A Kuranga former commissioner of health
References
- ^ a b "C-GIDD (Canback Global Income Distribution Database)". Canback Dangel. http://www.cgidd.com. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
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