Kaduna State

The word Kaduna is said to be a corruption of the Hausa language word '"Kada' " for Crocodile and the plural is "Kadduna" for crocodiles, as there were previously many crocodiles in the river of Kaduna.[7]Another version of the etymology of the name is a narrative linked to the Gbagyi word/name 'Odna' for River Kaduna.[8] in the coat of arm of the state, there is a symbol of crocodile, and majority of emblem related to the state uses crocodile as a symbol. The state football club Kaduna United F.C. used "The Crocodiles" as a nickname.[9]

It is indicative that the name, Kaduna, was taken up by Lord Frederick Lugard and his colonial colleagues when they moved the capital of the then Northern Region from Zungeru to Kaduna city in 1916. This move of the colonial office to Kaduna city started in 1912–1918/20 with the initial effort having been made in 1902 from Jebba to Zungeru.

At the start of British colonial rule in northern Nigeria the people groups who live in the area became 'Northern Nigerians'- a construct which continues even today. By 1967 these people groups again were carved into 'North Central State'; this was the case until 1975 that 'Kaduna State' was formerly created by the then military leader, Gen. Murtala Mohammed, with all distinct identities amalgamated into one state without a referendum. The state hence is the successor of the old Northern Region of Nigeria, which had its capital at Kaduna which is now the state capital to about 6.3 million people (Nigerian census figure, 2006).

In 1967, the old Northern Region was divided into six states in the north, leaving Kaduna as the capital of North-Central State, whose name was changed to Kaduna State in 1976. Meanwhile, Kaduna State was further divided in 1987, creating Katsina State. Under the governance of Kaduna are the ancient cities of Zaria, Kafanchan, and Nok, the area where Africa's earliest civilization is recorded to have been excavated. The most intriguing aspect of this area is that the colonial construction and its post-colonial successor called 'Nigeria' hardly documented the history or the method of how Kaduna state's people groups encompassed in these constructs define and identify themselves as such the people groups who populate the area have lived in near oblivion or obscurity as they often are thought of as Hausa people. In 2019 Kaduna State celebrated its 100 year anniversary, making it one of the oldest states in Nigeria.[10]

Zazzau is said to have been founded in 1536 and later was renamed after the prominent Queen Zaria known as Amina. The Hausa people of Zaria are said to be the old ancestral of the region.[11]

The state is located at the Northern part of Nigeria's high plains. The vegetation cover is Sudan Savannah type, characterized by scattered short trees, shrubs and grasses. The soil is mostly loamy to sandy. A substantial amount of clay is found also.

Its northern half became Katsina state in 1987. The state is bordered by seven states.[12]

The state was ranked number four by total area of land and number three by population.

The Kaduna River, a tributary of River Niger, flows through the state. There are rocky stones in Zaria and Kogoro Hill.

The current governor of Kaduna state is legally under the control of Kaduna State Executives, Kaduna State House of Assembly and Kaduna State Judiciary. The current elected governor of the state is Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai and his deputy is Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe.[13][14] In the state there 14 ministries that operate with the state government to improve the state: Ministries of Kaduna State. The governor of the state said he is trying to restore togetherness back in the state to make it hospitable for all Nigerians just as it has always been in the past. According to him, the city is now divided due to the frequent communal clashes that have been occuring in the last two decades.[15]

The Kaduna State economy was ranked 15th largest state in Nigerian economy from 2002 to 2008, and it made up 3.3% of Nigerian GDP. While agriculture contributed 30% of SGDP in Kaduna.[16] Kaduna state cultivate cotton and peanuts (groundnuts) for exporting and domestic extraction of Peanut oil. In the state there is National Institute of Leather and Technology, to improve modern technology and traditional method.[7][17][18][19][20]

Sun-dried tomato and pepper farm, Hunkuyi, Kaduna State

In Kaduna State there are many means of communication through mass media, broadcasting, internet communication and banking transaction. In Kaduna State there are 21 radio stations and more than four television stations broadcasting. Many of them are owned by the state government or federal government, and a few are private. The following is a list of radio stations in Kaduna.

[21][22][23][24][25]

Kaduna State is populated by about 59 to 63 different ethnic groups, if not more, with the exactitude of the number requiring further verification through field work.[26] The question as in the last paragraph with the Hausa and Fulani as the dominant ethnic groups followed by at least 60 others. These groups include:

The main religions in Kaduna State are Christianity and Islam. Some minority ethnic groups practice traditional worshiping, mostly in the southern area of the state. The people of Kaduna are very religious, causing two religious crises in 2001 and 2002, the Miss World riots.

Islam

A view of Kaduna Central Mosque (Sultan Bello Mosque)

Muslims have their central mosque in Kaduna metropolis known as Sultan Bello Mosque. The Jama’t Izalat al Bid’a Wa Iqamat as Sunna and Jamatu Nasril Islam main branch is located in Kaduna metropolis. Also, the prominent Tijaniyyah leader Sheikh Dahiru Usman is in Kaduna. The Nigerian Islamic mover known as Ibrahim Zakzaky has his main branch in Zaria Kaduna State.

Other languages in Kaduna State are Bacama, Firan, and Sambe.[28] Almost all of these languages are spoken in Southern Kaduna.

Kaduna is one of the largest centres of education in Nigeria. The slogan of the state is Center of Learning because of the presence of many institution like Ahmadu Bello University (established 1962). There are many government schools, include primary schools and secondary schools. All secondary schools in Kaduna are owned by the state government, federal government or private organisations. there are many tertiary institutions in the state. The state also has colleges for transportation and agriculture.[7]

The entrance gate of Zazzau

Architecture includes the National Museum which was built in 1975 with archaeological and ethnographic exhibitions, the Kajuru Castle, Lugard Hall, Zaria walls and gates and Nok settlements. In the state there are many architectural buildings like Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Murtala Square, Investment house, Kaduna central market, and Sultan Bello Mosque. The palace of empire of Zazzau is one the oldest traditional buildings in Kaduna state.[29][30]

Traditional architecture

Kajuru castle

In Kaduna State there are a lot of ethnic groups, which lead to the variation of culture and architectural style, this include the city wall of Zaria. The walls constructed during the reigns of Queen Amina of Zazzau protected the city and they are between 14 and 16 km long, and are closed by eight gates, Also the Emir's Palace of Zaria is an important traditional heritage. The palace has luxurious interiors. The St. Bartholomew's Church Zaria, built by the Church Missionary Society in 1929, still stands in Zaria, the church was built based on Hausa traditional architecture.

Kaduna State has over 1,000 primary healthcare facilities to cater to every resident, even in the most remote village or ward of the state. To further improve on healthcare delivery, in 2016, the Kaduna State Government partnered with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to install over 1.3 megawatts of solar power in primary healthcare facilities across the state.[31]

In Kaduna State many sports are played, such as football,[32] golf, swimming, traditional wrestling and handball.[33][34] The Kaduna State government run a football club called Kaduna United F.C.. The club participated in playing Nigerian Professional Football League but are under relegation.[35] the state also host Kaduna Marathon .[36]

In Kaduna State an annual festival is organized by Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Kaduna State). The festival exposes folklore talent and through these process, to promote unity and encourage tourism and build culture in the State. It takes place every November or December.[37] Cultural activities include Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha performed by the Muslims in the state; the Tuk Ham; the Afan National Festival; the Christmas and Easter celebrations, by Christians, and the Kallan-Kowa celebrations. Kaduna has a museum and a park, the Kofar Gamji park and Zoo. Lord Lugard's Residence, is also a tourist attraction and it currently houses the state assembly.[37]

Entertainment

• Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: This celebration is scheduled on the 1st of Shawwal and the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah respectively according to the Islamic Calendar for three days usually in Kaduna, Usually, Muslims all over the world celebrate the end of the Ramadan fasting period and the conclusion of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites. Most of the emirates in Kaduna State and other parts of the northern Emirates celebrate it with a colourful Hausa traditional dressing, horse decoration and Durbar.[37]
• Christmas celebrations: This takes place in every December 25/26 in Kaduna State to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by Christians all over the state.[37]
• Easter celebrations: It takes place every March/April to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by all Christians in Kaduna State.[37]
• Afan National Festival: This is a celebration on every 1 January, in Kagoro. The festival has assumed an international standard with the sons and daughters of Agworok land coming together to discuss issues that required their attention and to show their extreme cultural heritage.[37]
• Kalankuwa Cultural Festival: It is a purely cultural festival that is celebrated in northern part of the state. It is a celebration to give thanks for good farm crops and to celebrate the season. It is celebrated in November/December. Young men and women come together in a peaceful manner to entertain themselves. It is celebrated in Bomo Village, Samara, in Sabon Gari local government area.[37]

Other small festivals include the following:

• Batadon Festival
• Ayet Atyap annual cultural festival
• Durbar Festival
• Kaduna State Festival of Arts and Culture
• Kafanchan Day
• Kalankuwa Cultural Festival
• Moro’a Cultural Festival
• Ninzo Cultural Festival
• Zunzuk Dance
• Tuk-Ham Festival
• Unum-Akulu Festival

Kamuku Park, a tourism attraction

• Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab
• Katung Aduwak
• Martin Luther Agwai
• Gwamna Awan
• Harrison Bungwon
• Joe El
• Maiwada Galadima
• Ahmad Abubakar Gumi
• Chris Delvan Gwamna
• Shehu Idris
• Toure Kazah-Toure
• Matthew Hassan Kukah
• Danjuma Laah
• Zamani Lekwot
• Audu Maikori
• Ahmed Makarfi
• Jonathan Gyet Maude
• Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa
• Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai
• Tagwai Sambo
• Shehu Sani
• Uba Sani
• Ishaya Shekari
• Sheikh Dahiru Usman
• Patrick Yakowa
• Andrew Yakubu
• Mukhtar Ramalan Yero
• Luka Yusuf
• Ibrahim Zakzaky
• Muhammad Auwal Albani Zaria

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  River Kaduna
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  Waterfalls in Kafanchan
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  Matsirga waterfalls Kaduna
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  Kamuku National Park Kaduna
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  ABU senatorial building
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  Ten Storey Building in Ahmadu Bello way Kaduna
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  Major planted flower
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  Kajuru Castle
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  Night mode transportation in Kaduna city
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  Kaduna city bus
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  Ahmadu Bello way in the city of Kaduna
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  Green car in Kaduna city

• Kaduna
• Kaduna State Governor
• Kaduna State House of Assembly
• Kaduna State Judiciary
• Ministries of Kaduna State
• Kaduna United F.C.
• Southern Kaduna

• Nigeria Congress
• Nigeria Exchange

• Kaduna State Media Corporation
• Official State Government website