Historic Facts and Figures of KOGI

On the 27th August 1991, former Military President, General Ibrahim
Babangida (rtd) announced the creation of Kogi State alongside eight
(8) others. The creation of Kogi State was a significant development
for its indigenes. It was a reunion of many individuals on a new platform, people who had shared historical roots and co-existed peacefully
within the defunct Kabba Province, in the defunct Northern Region that
spanned almost eighty years.

The State which is at present structured into twenty-one Local Government Areas comprise three major ethnic groups. They are Igala, Ebira
and Okun Yoruba. Other groups include Bassa Komo, Bassa Nge,
Kakanda, Nupe, Oworo, Ogori/Magongo, and Ebira Koto.
The birth of Kogi had thrown up several issues such as the issue of
neglect and marginalisation in both Kwara and Benue States. Thus,
successive administrations in the State have played their part in the
socioeconomic and political development of the State.

It is thirty years now that the State was created. Have we as a people,
achieved the aspirations for which the State was created? What are the
prospects of our continued existence as a State?

Suffice it that much has been achieved in our collective efforts as a
people in the past thirty years of our co-existence as a State. It is indeed
right and proper that at this juncture we take a perspective look at ourtogetherness, examine our strengths, weaknesses, and challenges and
seek better ways of promoting our collective hegemony while improving
the lot of the Kogi people.

It is pertinent to state that for us to achieve this, we must be abreast
with the journey so far; what have we achieved, what have been the
challenges and what are the prospects? These and many more are
documented in this compendium.