Lokoja was the capital of the British Northern Nigeria Protectorate and the chief of Lokoja as at that time is Alhaji Muhammadu Maikarfi. He did this through Muhammadu Maikarfi, then the Maigari of Lokoja, in which after he demise the white men use their power and give it to their servant by the Abigel Which was converted to Islam and name him as Bukar, mean Abubakar in Kanuri tun. Olayemi Akinwumi, a Professor of African History and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja. Some of the first groups of people to settle in Lokoja were the Hausa and Nupe. The steel revolution may yet still happen as the Nigerian Government have recently talked about bringing the steel mill and other government industries back to life. Although, Lokoja is a major historical trading city, but it is not as relevant as it used to be now. Lokoja was also the trade distribution centre for an agricultural (chiefly cotton) region and has food processing industries. In 1885 and 1886 two of the priests died, though the mission of Lokoja could not be abandoned for it was in the heart of the country. Lokoja is also a Local Government Area of Kogi State with an area of 3,180 km² and a population of 195,261 at the 2006 census. EP10 Africa Calling Special on Land Rights: Kenya, Liberia, Pope says fraternity the watchword 'at this moment in histor, Post-Brexit trade agreement: EU and Britain prepare the fina, As UK pulls out of Erasmus, what study abroad options remain, CAR rebels cancel ceasefire ahead of Sunday's vote, Be Decorous When Discussing About Our Presidential Candidate, What Has "Otani Gyimifoc" Have To Do With Agyapa Royalties L, Jean Mensa Forgot; She Could Have Aborted The 2 Kids. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has lauded the appointment of Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja. These claim and counterclaim is said to have affected the development of the town since Nigeria's independence. While the advent of the Catholic Faith in the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja is usually dated to the opening of a new mission in Lokoja in 1884; The birth of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, which we now call Lokoja Diocese must be dated back to 1955, when Kabba Prefecture was created, and later became Lokoja … It is said that they migrated from Baro and some parts of present-day Niger Stateto the confluence of the Niger and Benue … Near Lokoja, in Ajaokuta, are metallurgy facilities and iron ore mines. Change ). When Dr William Balfour Baikie arrived at Lokoja first in 1854 and later in 1857, through his efforts and encouragements, the people descended from Lokoja. Lokoja lies about 7.8023° North of the equator and 6.7333° E east of the Meridian. The Bassa-Nges believe that they settled at the foot of Mount Patti when they came into Lokoja before later moving again and migrating to settle across the Benue just to the north of the Igalas. Lokoja on the other hand also saddles some strategic roads to at least, five geo political zones out of the six geo political zones in Nigeria. It is also home to Kogi State Polytechnic and the newly established Federal University Lokoja.[4]. 6 of 1994. A Brief Geography and History of Lokoja Lokoja is the only city and State capital in Nigeria that is squarely situated at a confluence of West Africa’s major rivers, the Rivers Niger and Benue, where both rivers merge and flow southwards into the Atlantic Ocean. The Brief History Of Lokoja. Lokoja is the trade and distribution center for an agricultural (chiefly cotton) region and has food-processing industries. February 21, 1955: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Kabba from the Diocese of Benin City, Diocese of Kaduna and Apostolic Prefecture of Oturkpo. Later follow the turn of leadership to Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi, and after his demise Alhaji Kabiru son of Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi take on. First, Lokoja was the first administrative and commercial capital of Nigeria when Lord Lugard became the Governor General of Nigeria after Mungo Park and Richard and John Landers explored the River Niger in 1830's. Below are the list of high-quality courses on offer at the Federal University, Lokoja. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. Lokoja, town and river port, capital of Kogi state, south-central Nigeria, located on the west bank of the Niger River opposite the mouth of the Benue River. It lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and is the capital of Nigeria's Kogi State. Buy Access; Help; About; Contact Us; Cookies; Encyclopedias | Text editions Religious festivals include the Muslim Eids and the Christian Christmas and Easter. Residential districts are of varying density, and the city has various suburbs such as Felele, Adankolo, Otokiti and Ganaja. The kingdom was founded by the Igala, with its capital at Idah. Lokoja was ruledby the following Maigari of Lokoja (Hamza, Dauda, Musa, Muhammadu Maikarfi, Abigel) that the British installed who claim to be converted to Islam and called Bukar and reside at Yaragi Madabo Junction of Lokoja as the then new Lokoja palace. It is located at the confluence of … Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. The state capital, Lokoja is an ancient historical town which once served as the colonial administrative headquarters of Nigeria. The city’s population has since grown to an estimated count of over 90,000 inhabitants. [clarification needed] This was the status quo until the Europeans arrived. British merchants established a trading post at the Benue-Niger confluence in the late 1850s, and in 1860 the Scottish explorer William Balfour Baikie founded Lokoja. Given the multiethnic nature of the town, there are various festivals, events and socio-cultural activities depending on the people group. living in Lokoja, the Superior then was Fr. Lokoja town is situated on the slope of a range of hills, Mount Patti. The Selection and Post of Senior Minister in Ghana Government. Lokoja (lōkōjä´), town (1987 est. History has it that, there are many reasons why Lokoja is a special place in Nigerian history. ( Log Out /  History of Igala Kingdom. Lokoja Urban Area Population History. (Prog Olugbemiro Jegede). It opened up the city to all Nigerians and allowed all and sundry to draw from the fountain of the Niger … In 1884, a new mission was opened at Lokoja, with three Frs. These include the Igbo, Tiv, Edo, etc. [2] The Ebira , Bassa Nge , Nupe , Igala are indigenous to the area, other ethnic groups of Nigeria , including the Igbo , Bini / Edo , and Tiv , have recently established themselves. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. In 1859 a British trading and missionary settlement was founded in Lokoja. The area that would become Lokoja has been inhabited for thousands of years by people from different ethnic groups prior to the arrival of Europeans. 5 hours ago, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu urges politicians to reconcile differences, NPP conceded defeat in 2008 election for prioritising sancti, Use Christmas to remember the poor — Otabil. Olayemi Akinwumi, a Professor of African history and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja. This area eventually became a center of trade. The commentaries which are located in three different places within Lokoja Township hold six to eight hundred graves of Africans and Europeans tomb which was said to have largest contraption of European graveyard in Nigeria. The migrations of these groups to the area could be in part accounted for by its nearness to the banks of the Niger and Benue rivers. The migrations of these groups to the area could be in part accounted for by its nearness to the banks of the Niger and Benue rivers. Modern Ghana will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this article. During the colonial era, a number of Northern feudal lords who vehemently opposed colonial rule and domination of their territories by the European imperialists were banished to Lokoja as punishment by the Colonialists. Notable among the deposed Emirs who perfected the traditional form of distance learning included the Late Emir of Bida, Mallam Mohammed Baashir, deposed in 1901, the late Emir of Zaria, Mallam Aliyu Dansidi and the late emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi deposed in 1903. 5 hours ago, NPP conceded defeat in 2008 election for prioritising sancti... He had his higher education at the University of Ilorin where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1985 followed by Master’s and PhD degrees in History in the same university. The Nupe and Zazzau emirs agree with the Hausas to be the leader, while the Nupe to be the religion leader as chief imam of Lokoja. Present day Lokoja is ruled by the Maigari (chief) of Lokoja, and his 12 Hakimi (Sub chiefs) It is important to note however, that each group have their own local criteria: for example, the Maigari has no jurisdiction over the Olu of Oworo, but he does have authority over Ganaja, Kwakware, Sarkin Numa, Adankolo, ward A to ward E and other villages of the Lokoja Holland that is the Salkawa people. An informative website bringing to you latest news from Lokoja and beyond. 1951 12,000 This cosmopolitan nature have remains to date, the dilemma of Lokoja as various ethnic groups-notably the Oworo, Nupe, Igbirra, Hausa, Igala-lay claim to the ownership of the town. It is located on the intersecting point of longitude 70 49’N and latitude 60 44’E on the map of Nigeria. European penetration into Lokoja in the early 19th century represents a significant landmark in the history of the town. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. ( Log Out /  The town grew to become cosmopolitan settlement peopled mostly by different ethnic groups from the middle belt and Hausa from the northern Nigeria. The town is situated in the tropical Wet and Dry savanna climate zone of Nigeria, and temperature remains hot all year round. colonialist, confluence, florence lugard, history, lakwaja, lokoja, lord lugard, nigeria, river niger and benue. It is said that they migrated from Baro and some parts of present-day Niger state to the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers. Porrier. Iron ore deposits serve the nearby Ajaokuta mill. Lokoja like many other cities in Nigeria belong to Nigeria, it is located in the heart of Nigeria, in the present North Central of the federal republic, a former capital of the British northern protectorate and it also remained a convenient administrative town for the British colonial government after the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates into one nation called Nigeria in 1914. The Polytechnic took off in January 1993 at the Government Science Secondary School, Lokoja and Osara Campus with Dr. Isa I.A. It is bounded by the Niger in the north and east upstream from the capital until the border with Kwara State, and includes the city of Lokoja. It is also worthy to mention that editions of Lokoja boat regatta are held, albeit not regularly. 1950 12,000. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria , It lies at the confluence of the Niger rivers and Benue rivers and is the capital of Kogi State . Kogi, is a state in the central region (Middle-Belt) of Nigeria. The area that would become Lokoja has been inhabited for thousands of years by people from different ethnic groups prior to the arrival of Europeans. According to Ad Ali, Lokoja rose to fame due to its location at the confluence of the two great waterways in West Africa, the Niger and Benue Rivers. Un établissement anglais plus important est fondé à Lokoja dans les années 1850 par l'explorateur britannique William Balfour Baikie. It lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and is the capital of Kogi State. Today, Lokoja is the state capital of Kogi State, a state carved out from kwara and Benue State in 1991. If this happens, May be the rival of steel industry revolution will come in the near future for the city to strive again. Second, Lokoja was said to be a prominent centre for slave trade in the 18th and 19thcenturies due to its strategic location and later served as a centre for freedom. Because of its location, Lokoja served as a commercial rendezvous during the east west kolanut trade in West Africa. After the amalgamation of Southern and Northern protectorate in 1914, the new Governor General, Lord Lugard ruled Nigeria from Lokoja. Some of the first groups of people to settle in Lokoja were the (Oworo people/yoruba from Ile-Ife), Hausa and Nupe. For instance, the Agbo masquerade festival is celebrated by the Oworo people between the months of March and April every year. The third and also significant place of Lokoja was the crucial role it served as a practice ground for distance education by many Northern Nigerian Emirs in the 1800's. The minister said this in a … [2] The first Governor-General, Sir Frederick Lugard, governed the new nation of Nigeria from Lokoja. Besides all these, historical relics such as the Lugard House, the first primary school in northern Nigeria, the first cantonment church, the first hospital in northern Nigeria, iron of liberty, graveyards of the deposed emirs and Europeans commentaries are major tourism potentials which continue to attract people from all works of life to the town. 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