Kebbi State is one of the 36 states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the State is located in the North-Western part of the country.
Nicknamed “Land of Equity”, Kebbi State was created on the 27th of August in 1991 when it was carved out of Sokoto State.
With its capital at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi has a population that is close to 4 million (as at 2006 when the census was last conducted)
The State is neighbor to the likes of Sokoto State, Niger State, and Zamfara State.
The current governor of Kebbi State is Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of the All Progressive Congress, alongside his deputy Samaila Yombe Dabai.
History
The State is traditionally regarded by Sarki mythology as the homeland of the Banza bakwai states and Hausa Kingdoms.
It is believed that the state of Kebbi was founded around 600 BCE by refugees of the Assyrian empire that were conquered by Babylonian and Median forces in 612 BCE.
In the 19th century when the Fulani jihad stormed the area, they were able to prevent the jihadists. But some years later, the region majorly converted to Islam through peaceful means.
History of Zuru
Zuru emirate is divided into 5 administrative chiefdom, and they are:
- Dabai
- Danko
- Fakai
- Sakaba
- Wasagu.
The Emirate is situated in the southern part of the State Nigeria, and is close to Zamfara State (to the North) and Niger State (to the south).
The people are multi-ethic and are grouped into categories. The first are those who are claiming long term settlement (such as the Achifawa, Kambari, Dukkawa Fakkawa,’Dankawa, Worawa, Katsinawa and Lelna)
The second are the much more recent settlers who are regarded as recent immigrants or even as temporary strangers.
Some of the Groups lay some claim to origin from Hausa. According to history, the emirate was as a result of upheaval resulting from events such as Kanta’s breakaway from Songhai and Nupe-Kororofa control.
Subdivisions
The State was carved out of the former Sokoto State in 1991 and currently have 21 Local Government areas.
Kebbi has Sudan and sahel-savannah. The southern part of the State is majorly filled with rocks with the Niger River traversing from Benin to Ngaski LGA while the opposite part of the state is sandy.
Many inhabitants of Kebbi are farmers who cultivates crops, rear animals and are also indulging in fishery.
There are many Christians and Muslims in Kebbi State, as Christianity and Islam are the most popular religions in the State.
There are 225 political wards in the State, as well as 3000 settlements.
Local Government Areas in Kebbi State
There are 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs), in Kebbi State as well as 35 districts. The LGAs are as follows:
- Aleiro
- Arewa Dandi
- Argungu
- Augie
- Bagudo
- Birnin Kebbi
- Bunza
- Dandi
- Fakai
- Gwandu
- Jega
- Kalgo
- Koko/Besse
- Maiyama
- Ngaski
- Sakaba
- Shanga
- Suru
- Danko/Wasagu
- Yauri
- Zuru
Additionally, there are four emirate councils in the State:
- Gwandu
- Argungu
- Yauri
- Zuru
Demographics
Although there are various ethnic groups in the State, it is majorly filled with the Hausa people. Other groups such as Fulani, Lelna, Bussawa, Dukawa, Dakarkari and Kambari are also inhabiting the State.
Past governors of Kebbi State from 1991 till date
- Patrick Aziza
- Abubakar Musa
- Salihu Tunde Bello
- John Ubah
- Samaila Bature Chamah
- Adamu Aliero: 29 May 1999 to May 29, 2007
- Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari: May 29, 2007 to 24 February 2012
- Aminu Musa Habib Jega: Acting governor from 24 February 2012 till 25 May 2012
- Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari: 25 May 2012 till May 29 2015
- Abubakar Atiku Bagudu: He assumed office on May 29, 2015, he’ll be contesting for the second term