These different groups lived in different quarters of the town but were closely related socio-politically. According to European historical records, Lokoja was said to have been founded by one William Balfour Baikie, but in reality, there have been indigenous people living in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of the europeans. 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 Hausa and Nupe. They didn't know the role this beautiful city played in the history and developments of the beautiful Nigeria neither were they aware of the abundant historical relic it contained, especially before and during the colonial era. Recommended Links: FULOKOJA Cut Off Marks. [3] It is a trade center with respect to its agricultural products; this is because it is situated at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, and is close to the new federal capital of Nigeria in Abuja. Iron ore deposits serve the nearby Ajaokuta mill. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. History Of Lokoja. Lokoja town is situated on the slope of a range of hills, Mount Patti. It lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and is the capital of Kogi State. The late Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther spearheaded anti-slavery crusade in Nigeria and erected the Iron of liberty at a spot where slaves were set free in Lokoja. Around the same spot, he erected the first primary school in Northern Nigeria for all Nigerians who wanted to seek freedom from ignorance. 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. Defiant Adu-Boahen’s Sins Chasing NPP? They were able to sustain themselves by engaging in farming and hunting activities at Agbaja hill. It is also worthy to mention that editions of Lokoja boat regatta are held, albeit not regularly. Although, Lokoja is a major historical trading city, but it is not as relevant as it used to be now. It lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and is the capital of Nigeria's Kogi State. 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. 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. The city’s population has since grown to an estimated count of over 90,000 inhabitants. The Igala Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Idah, Ane-Ìgàlá, is a pre-colonial West African state, north central Nigeria. However, there are other groups apart from the ones mentioned above but they are classified as temporary visitors and non indigenous. 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 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. Fourth, the first course writing and instructional material development of the National open university of Nigeria meeting took place in Lokoja in 2002. Because of its location, Lokoja served as a commercial rendezvous during the east west kolanut trade in West Africa. ( Log Out / The author has 57 publications published on Modern Ghana.Column: AbdulrazaqOHamzat, Disclaimer: "The views/contents expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Modern Ghana. Lokoja is the trade and distribution center for an agricultural (chiefly cotton) region and has food-processing industries. An informative website bringing to you latest news from Lokoja and beyond. What Nonsense Is This? Do you want to find out the list of courses you can study at the Federal University, Lokoja (FULOKOJA)? Residential districts are of varying density, and the city has various suburbs such as Felele, Adankolo, Otokiti and Ganaja. Many youths of this generation knew little or nothing about the popular Lokoja city of today. 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. History of Igala Kingdom. For instance, the Agbo masquerade festival is celebrated by the Oworo people between the months of March and April every year. 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. The present modern settlement at Lokoja was established in 1857 by the British explorer William Baikie at the site of an earlier model farm constructed during the failed Niger expedition of 1841. Lokoja lies about 7.8023° North of the equator and 6.7333° E east of the Meridian. Porrier. These forerunners of the Nigeria style of open and distance learning have their graves in Lokoja and should constitute an interesting tourist attraction. These include the Igbo, Tiv, Edo, etc. 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. 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 . 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. The Polytechnic took off in January 1993 at the Government Science Secondary School, Lokoja and Osara Campus with Dr. Isa I.A. colonialist, confluence, florence lugard, history, lakwaja, lokoja, lord lugard, nigeria, river niger and benue. as the first Rector. 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According to professor Jegede, There in Lokoja, they defy the intense heat at that time of the year to write 183 courses and adapt 235 others in 54 programmes carefully chosen to kick start the re-establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria in Lagos. It opened up the city to all Nigerians and allowed all and sundry to draw from the fountain of the Niger … Professor Olayemi Akinwumi PhD, FHSN, AvHF, MNAL is a Distinguished Professor of History at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria since 2005. The Selection and Post of Senior Minister in Ghana Government. 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. She M, Any New Revolution in Ghana Would Come from NPP, Not NDC, Reactions to Dr. Wereko Brobbey's "Ghana's Disputed 2020 Ele, Mahama’s Biggest Downfall In This Election is Sammy Gyamfi A, The NPP's Political Tsunami in Ghana's Elections 2020. 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. With the arrival of the Europeans, the city rose to international fame when it served as the first British settlement in Nigeria and as a major inland port for European companies. It is located at the confluence of … Kogi is contiguous to nine(9) states in Nigeria and is essentially a transit route to sixteen other states including the Fct. Lokoja (lōkōjä´), town (1987 est. Some of the first groups of people to settle in Lokoja were the (Oworo people/yoruba from Ile-Ife), Hausa and Nupe. Federal University, Lokoja has been official accredited and/or recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria. The town in its growth runs down the scope and expands into the Niger River valley. European penetration into Lokoja in the early 19th century represents a significant landmark in the history of the town. Even the Patti word is a Nupe word meaning hill, Mount Patti hill and other surrounding hills are hunting area of the Lokoja people, at Mount Patti there is aged three that most of the former hunters write their name in Ajami and the Latin script, that will make you observe that there is no settlement at Mount Patti. 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. If this happens, May be the rival of steel industry revolution will come in the near future for the city to strive again. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. This prompts the writing of this piece to expose the significance of the historical city of Lokoja as a means of appreciating this ancient city of freedom fighters, educators, emancipators and liberators. Given the multiethnic nature of the town, there are various festivals, events and socio-cultural activities depending on the people group. Lokoja is the first settlement of British in Nigeria, In fact, the name Nigeria was coined by flora Shaw in Lokoja, a British journalist who later married Fredrick Lugard, and as it was said, Flora coined the name Nigeria while gazing out at the River that stretched before her in the late 19th century. In 1859 a British trading and missionary settlement was founded in Lokoja. 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. Lokoja Urban Area Population History. With all these historical references, Lokoja is no doubt a city of historical importance located strategically. The postal code of the area is 260.[5]. Au XXe siècle, le premier gouverneur général britannique, Sir Frederick Lugard, gouverne les deux protectorats nord et sud du Nigeria depuis Lokoja . Religious festivals include the Muslim Eids and the Christian Christmas and Easter. May 5, 1965: Renamed as Diocese of Lokoja. It was said that the city was supposed to accommodate born steel industry, but only the Ajaokuta steel mill which was served by the abundant Iron Ore deposite later find its presence in the city and more recently, the Dangote cement factory. Religiously, Islam, Christianity and traditional religion exist in Lokoja .The Muslims go to their Mosques for their worship while the Christians do the same in their various churches. Un établissement anglais plus important est fondé à Lokoja dans les années 1850 par l'explorateur britannique William Balfour Baikie. It opened up the city to all Nigerians and allowed all and sundry to draw from the fountain of the Niger with insatiable quest for knowledge of discovery. It is about 165 km Southwest of Abuja as the crow flies, and 390 km Northeast of Lagos by same measure. These natural waterways served as the major means of communication and transportation especially for the riverside dwellers during the colonial period. pop. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. 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. Buy Access; Help; About; Contact Us; Cookies; Encyclopedias | Text editions History. History of Parish. History. living in Lokoja, the Superior then was Fr. History has it that, there are many reasons why Lokoja is a special place in Nigerian history. 45,600), central Nigeria, at the junction of the Niger and Benue rivers. It lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and is the capital of Kogi State. ( Log Out / Lokoja was the capital of the British Northern Nigeria Protectorate and the chief of Lokoja as at that time is Alhaji Muhammadu Maikarfi. 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. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. 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 … ( Log Out / 1950 12,000. [2] The first Governor-General, Sir Frederick Lugard, governed the new nation of Nigeria from Lokoja. Kogi, is a state in the central region (Middle-Belt) of Nigeria. It is said that they migrated from Baro and some parts of present-day Niger Stateto the confluence of the Niger and Benue … 1951 12,000 February 21, 1955: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Kabba from the Diocese of Benin City, Diocese of Kaduna and Apostolic Prefecture of Oturkpo; July 6, 1964: Promoted as Diocese of Kabba; May 5, 1965: Renamed as Diocese of Lokoja The kingdom was founded by the Igala, with its capital at Idah. 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 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. [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. In 1884, a new mission was opened at Lokoja, with three Frs. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Near Lokoja, in Ajaokuta, are metallurgy facilities and iron ore mines. 5 hours ago, NPP conceded defeat in 2008 election for prioritising sancti... The Federal University, Lokoja, popularly known as Fulokoja, is a federal university in the confluence city of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.Lokoja lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers. 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. The state capital, Lokoja is an ancient historical town which once served as the colonial administrative headquarters of Nigeria. [clarification needed] This was the status quo until the Europeans arrived. Different ethnic groups lay claim to having named the city. The Brief History Of Lokoja. 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. It is located on the intersecting point of longitude 70 49’N and latitude 60 44’E on the map of Nigeria. While the Nupe, Hausa, Yoruba, Igala and Ebira are indigenous to the area, other ethnic groups of Nigeria, including the Igbo, Bini/Edo and … 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. This area eventually became a center of trade. What the colonialists did not realise was that, these Emirs used distance education method to keep in constant touch with their subject and were continually a step ahead of the colonialists who never seized to be amazed at how informed and intelligent the people they sought to colonize were. Below are the list of high-quality courses on offer at the Federal University, Lokoja. 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