What Do You Know About Kebbi State?

Here is post about a state that some may call a backwater—Kebbi State. The only thing many people know about the state is that its capital city is Birnin Kebbi (learnt in nursery school). Add to that by going through this post.

Kebbi State (slogan: Land of Equity) was created out of the then Sokoto State on 27 August 1991 by the government of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. It lies in North-western Nigeria with its capital in Birnin Kebbi. It became part of the Songhai Empire in the fifteenth century.

 

It has a total area of 36,229 sq km² (10th largest in Nigeria).The state has Sudan and Sahel Savannah vegetation. The southern part of the state is rocky and the northern part is sandy.  The Rima River flows from the northern part of the state and empties into the Niger River in the south part of the state.

Kebbi State is bordered by Sokoto State to the North and East, Niger State to the South, Dosso Region in the Republic of Niger to the North-west and the Republic of Benin to the West. It produced a population figure of 3, 238, 628 from the census of 2006.

Governor Sa’idu Usman Nasamu Dakin Gari presides over the affairs of the state. He was born at Dakin Gari on 13th September, 1959. He graduated in 1984 with a B. A. (Geography) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Kebbi has 8 House of Representative members in the National Assembly plus 3 Senators (each state in Nigeria has 3).

Kebbi State is divided into 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and has four emirate councils (Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru). Bagudo Local Government Area is the largest and it is where the Rima River empties into the River Niger. 

It has Kebbi State University of Science and Technology in Aliero.

Two prominent indigenes are: former Governor Adamu Aliero, who was the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory and Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd.), who was governor of Kaduna state in Nigeria from August 1985 to June 1988. He (Abubakar) was a critic of the Abacha regime; he accused Umaru Yar'Adua of nepotism in 2009 and later asked the ailing president to resign.

A large percentage of the people are farmers. Major crops include millet, wheat, guinea corn, rice, onion, groundnut, cotton. Animal husbandry is also practised. It has substantial deposits of gypsum, marble, kaolin.

The state is mainly populated by the Hausa people. Other ethnic groups are Fulani, Bussawa, Dakarkari, Kambari, Dukawa, Kamuku, and Kabawa.

Islam is the main religion and Sharia system is in operation.

The ARGUNGU FISHING FESTIVAL is an annual four day festival in Argungu, Kebbi state. During the festival thousands of fishermen engage in a fishing expedition (that last for one hour on the last day). At the sound of a gunshot, they all enter the Matan Fada River carrying their traditional nets and gourds. The fisherman with the biggest fish wins. Other cultural activities during the festival include regatta, cultural dances, drama, motor-rally and archery. The event dates back to before 1934, but in 1934 it became an officially recognised festival. It has since become an international event. In 2006 fishing was not allowed during the festival due to safety concerns about low water levels. The festival has been cancelled twice in a succession because of political reasons (2011 and 2012).

Another festival in the state is UHOLA FESTIVAL in Zuru Emirate. This is a yearly festival of thanksgiving to God for his generosity and protection against diseases, wars, small harvest. The ceremony features dance, music, wrestling, art and crafts. The festival takes about 4 days after weeks of preparations that include fattening of boys and girls, cleaning of houses, shrines and the environment. The festival also marks the transition to adulthood of boys and girls.

KARISHI town is situated around Sakaba town in Sakaba local Government. This settlement is a traditional one and the people there still hold to the traditional beliefs and customs. The town is in a rocky region and the people still maintain their ancient defence boundaries. Their ruler is seen once a year by his subject during their annual festival. He is seen as a god by his people.

THE TOMB OF ABDULLAHI FODIO the brother of Sheikh Usman Danfodio  (jihadist of 19th century and founder of Sokoto Caliphate) is located at Gwandu, Gwandu Local Government Area. Abdullahi  Fodio also participated in the Jihad; he was the founder of Gwandu Empire. Like his brother, he was a writer as well.  

GERMACHE SHRINE is a shrine close to Zuru in Zuru Local Government Area. The shrine is located in an environment surrounded by thick trees and has crocodiles. It is a place of worship for the locals.

KANTA MUSEUM: The place was a palace before it was turned into a museum in 1958, and houses the relics of Kebbi rulers from the time of Kanta the founder of Kebbi Empire. It is located in the old section of Argungu town.