INTRODUCTION
Katsina is one of the seven states that form Nigeria's North-West geopolitical zone. It is bordered by Jigawa and Kano States to the East; Kaduna to the South and Zamfara to the West. It shares an international border with the Republic of Niger to the North. The city of Katsina is its capital.
LANDMASS, LOCATION, AND POPULATION
Katsina State covers an area of 24,193 square kilometres. It lies at latitude 12°59′ North and longitude 7°36′ East. Its population is 5,801,584 (2006 census) 7,831,319 (2016 forecast) and it accounts for 4.1% of Nigeria's total population.
HISTORY AND PEOPLE
Katsina was a historic kingdom and emirate in northern Nigeria. It is believed that the kingdom (one of the original seven Hausa states) was founded in the tenth or eleventh century. Islam was introduced in the 1450s and Muhammad Korau was Katsina's first Muslim leader. During his reign, camel caravans crossed the Sahara from Ghadames, Tripoli, and Tunis to reach Katsina and brought such prosperity to the state that it became caught in the rivalry between the great West African empires of Songhai (which eventually conquered it in 1513) and Bornu.
Katsina State was originally part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954. When General Yakubu Gowon's military government created twelve federal states in 1967, it was part of the North-Central State (which was renamed Kaduna State in 1976). Katsina was carved out of Kaduna and established as its own entity in September 1987.
The Hausa and Fulani people are the main ethnic groups in the state. Minority groups include the Maguwazawa and a considerable number of Yoruba and Igbo people who migrated from southern Nigeria. Islam is the main religion in the state. There is, however, a Christian minority.
MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES
Katsina (capital), Daura, Funtua, Bakori, Dutsi, Jibia, Bakori and Zango
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNORS
Abdullahi Mukhtar (Governor - Military): September 1987 - July 1988
Lawrence Onoja (Governor - Military): July 1988 - December 1989
John Madaki (Governor - Military): December 1989 - January 1992
Saidu Barda (Governor - Civilian (National Republican Convention)): January 1992 - November 1993
Emmanuel Acholonu (Administrator - Military): December 1993 - August 1996
Samaila Chamah (Administrator - Military): August 1996 - August 1998
Joseph Akaagerger (Administrator - Military): August 1998 - May 1999
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 1999 - May 2007
Ibrahim Shema (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 2007 - May 2015
Aminu Masari (Governor - Civilian (All Progressives Congress): May 2015 – Present
ECONOMY AND EDUCATION
Agriculture is the backbone of the state's economy and 75 percent of its people are farmers. A wide range of crops are grown in the state, including guinea corn, millet, maize, cow pea, cotton and groundnut. In addition, the state possesses a large livestock population mainly made up of cattle, goats and sheep. The traditional crafts of the predominantly Hausa population such as the weaving and dyeing of cotton, leather and metal workings, embroidery and pottery and calabash design also contribute to the state's economy.
The state's mineral resources include kaolin, asbestos, manganese, gold, uranium and nickel. Various industries were introduced in the state during the 1970s, including the Katsina Oil Mills Limited and Katsina Steel Rolling Mill.
The tertiary institutions in the state are Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina; Federal University, Dutsin-ma; Katsina Islamic University, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Katsina; Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma; Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal Studies, Daura; College of Administration, Funtua; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Katsina; School of Health Technology, Daura and the Health Auxiliary Training School, Funtua.
FAMOUS SITES AND CULTURE
Sites
National Museum, Katsina
The National Museum in Katsina was established in 1921 and houses archaeological artefacts and other cultural items relating to the history of Katsina and other northern states which date from 13th century. It was declared a Historical and National Monument in 1989.
Kusugu Well, Daura
The legend of the Kusugu Well in Daura is that it was discovered in the7th century and was the only source of water for the community. A giant snake however lived there and prevented water being drawn from it. The snake was eventually killed by a prince from Baghdad. The sword and knife used to kill the snake are preserved in the Emir’s palace.
Gobarau Minaret, Katsina
The Gobaru Minaret was built 300 years ago with baked clay and mud. The 15-metre structure in the heart of Katsina city and is regarded as the symbol of the city. It is the oldest multi-storey building in Nigeria.
Culture
Residents of Shinkafi, Dankanjiba, Dutsen Safe and Rimin Guza have celebrated the Kallon Kuwa festival, annually since 1935. The event is used as thanksgiving for the successful completion of the planting season.
Jaci festival is a major cultural event in the fishing community of Jaci in Mani local government area.
Other popular events in the state are the Gani and Durbar festivals.
NOTABLE INDIGENES
Justice Mohammed Bello (1930 -2004)
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (1951 -2010)
DID YOU KNOW
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was the youngest African to be made a Major General in the army at the age of 36.
KATSINA STATE IN PICTURES