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Kwara
State
Nickname(s):  State of Harmony
Location of the State of Kwara in Nigeria
Coordinates: 8°30′N 5°00′E / 8.500°N 5.000°E / 8.500; 5.000Coordinates: 8°30′N 5°00′E / 8.500°N 5.000°E / 8.500; 5.000
Country	Nigeria
Geopolitical Zone	North Central
Date created	27 May 1967
Capital	Ilorin
Number of LGAs	16
Government
• Governor (List)	Abdulfatah Ahmed (PDP)
• Deputy Governor	Peter Sara Kisira
• Senators	Bukola Saraki Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi Rafiu Ibrahim
• Legislature	Kwara State House of Assembly
Area
• Total	36,825 km2 (14,218 sq mi)
Area rank	9th of 36
Population (2006 census)
• Total	2,365,353[1]
• Rank	30th of 36
GDP
• Year	2007
• Total	$3.84 billion[2]
• Per capita	$1,620[2]
Time zone	UTC+01 (WAT)
ISO 3166 code	NG-KW
Website	kwarastate.gov.ng

Kwara (Yoruba: Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà) is a state in Western Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin. Kwara is located within the North Central geopolitical zone, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. The primary ethnic group is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani minorities.^[3]

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.

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.

Kwara state has numerous mineral resources such as tamaline, tantalite, and lots of mineral deposit in the northern part Ndeji and Lema Community. Cocoa and Kolanut in the Southern parts Oke - Ero, Ekiti and Isin LGA

Population

As of 2006, the population of Kwarans was 2.37 million based on the Nigeria 2006 Census.^[1] This population size constitutes about 1.69% of the Nation's total population having relied upon immigration for population growth and socioeconomic development.^[4]

Residents of the state are sometimes referred to as Kwarans.^[5]

Local Government Areas

Kwara State consists of sixteen Local Government Areas. They are:

Tourism

Drummers in Ijomu Oro village, Kwara State.

Important tourist attractions in Kwara State include Esie Museum, Owu waterfalls, Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Kainji Lake National Parks and Agbonna Hill Awon Mass Wedding in Shao. There is also Sobi Hill amongst others which is the largest landform in Ilorin, the state capital.

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.

Economy

Agriculture is the main source of the economy and the principal cash crops are: cotton, cocoa, coffee, Kolanut, tobacco, beniseed and palm produce.

Mineral resources in the state are Gold, limestone, marble, feldspar, clay, kaolin, quartz and granite rocks.

Industry

Industries in the state include Dangote Flour Mill, Lubcon Lubricant Company, Kam Industries Nigeria Ltd, Tuyil Pharmacy Nig Ltd, Padson Industries NiG Ltd,^[6] Kwara Breweries, Ijagbo Global Soap and Detergent Industry, United Match Company, Tate and Lyle Company, Resinoplast Plastic Industry, Phamatech Nigeria Limited, Kwara Textile and Kwara Furniture Company all in Ilorin. Others are Paper Manufacturing Industry, Jebba, Okin Foam and Okin Biscuits, Offa, Kay Plastic, Ganmo and Kwara Paper Converters Limited, Erin-ile. Others are Sugar Producing Company, Bacita, Kwara animal Feed Mall, Ilorin and the Agricultural Products Company.

Education

Kwara has a federal university, the University of Ilorin, a state university, Kwara State University, two polytechnics, Kwara State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic Offa, three colleges: the college of education, Ilorin, school of Health technology, Offa and college of Nursing, Ilorin. It is also home to three Private universities; Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Crown Hill University, Eiye N'korin, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Summit University, Offa. There is also a navy school and aviation college.

Schools include Emmanuel Baptist College in Ilorin.

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. The state is actively represented both in football and basketball. The state is the home to the Kwara United Football Club and Kwara Falcons Basketball Club

Notable people from Kwara State

• 
  Abubakar Olusola Saraki, politician


• 
  Abdulfatah Ahmed, banker and politician


• 
  Adamu Atta, politician


• 
  Sarah Alade,Former CBN governor


• 
  Adebayo Salami, actor and producer


• 
  Ahmed Mohammed Inuwa, politician


• 
  Bukola Saraki, politician


• 
  Bola Shagaya, Oil Magnate


• 
  Cornelius Adebayo, politician


• 
  David Bamigboye, soldier


• 
  David Oyedepo, cleric


• 
  Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, politician


• 
  Ibrahim Gambari, diplomat


• 
  Joseph Ayo Babalola, cleric


• 
  Kemi Adesoye, screenwriter


• 
  Kunle Afolayan, actor and film director


• 
  Lágbájá, musician


• 
  Lai Mohammed, lawyer and politician


• 
  Mustapha Akanbi, lawyer


• 
  Mohammed Lawal, naval officer


• 
  Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, politician


• 
  Rashidi Yekini, soccer player


• 
  Salaudeen Latinwo, soldier


• 
  Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore, former Chief Justice


• 
  Simon Ajibola, politician


• 
  Theophilus Bamigboye, soldier and politician


• 
  Tunde Adebimpe, musician


• 
  Tunde Idiagbon, soldier


• 
  Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, musician


• 
  Ola Ibrahim, naval officer

References