HISTORY OF KWARA STATE

Kwara State is located in north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, "Kwara" which is local name (Nupe name) for River Niger , Its capital is Ilorin. Kwara State shares her boundaries with the Republic of Benin at her west and the Niger River at her North, the primary ethnic group of Kwara State is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani minorities , kwara is arguably  one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria which qualify her to be refer to as the ‘State of Harmony’ also has a slogan of 'is good here' on account of the peaceful relations that exist among its multicultural and diverse population of about 2.5 million people. Kwara State’s peaceful population, abundant natural resources, well-developed infrastructure and proactive investment-attraction policies have made it an attractive destination for investors., Kwara State houses one of the best Educational Institution in Nigeria, Among are University of Ilorin , Kwara State polytechnics , these two great institutions successfully run more than ten years of uninterrupted academic calendars.As a blogger of Kwara Origin no one can write about Kwara than me, grab a cup of Fura or Warakansi and read along about the History of this great State of Harmony.


     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.
 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.

The capital city of Ilorin is situated 306km inland from the coastal city of Lagos and 5OOkm from the federal capital, Abuja. Major towns include Offa, Oro, Omu-arran and Jebba, located on the Niger River. Other towns include Patigi, Erin-lIe,lIoffa, , Ejidongari, Osi, Lafiagi, Gure, Afon, Kaiama, Isanlu-lsin, Edidi, Oke-Onigbin, Alla, Ijara-Isin, Affon, Omu-Aran, Egbejila, lIota, Iponrin and Igbaja.

State of Harmony is made of Sixteen Local Government Areas: There are : Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa, Oke-Ero, Oyun, Pategi.

Kwara state can also be refer to as Fountain of Knowledge because Education received priority in the state. There are many primary and secondary schools. Higher institutions in the state include the federally owned University of Ilorin arguably one of best Fed. University in Nigeria with Most stable Academic Calendar   ,  Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Federal Training Centre, Ilorin, State College of Education, Ilorin and Oro, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin and the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin Kwara State University, Al-Hikma University and Land Mark University (a private University) located in Omu Aran.

Business Opportunities
 Kwara state is a Civil Servant state but also houses firms like  Tuyil Pharmaceutical,   Coka-Kola, Kam industries, Shoprite, etc Agriculture is the main stay of the economy and the principal cash crops are: cotton, cocoa, coffee, kolanut, tobacco, benseed and palm produce ,there are  also substantial Fulani Herdsmen

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

Tourism in Kwara State
Important tourist attractions in Kwara State include Esie Museum, Owu Falls, Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Kainji Lake National Parks and Agbonna Hill.

Governor of Kwara State

Alhaji(Dr) Abdulfatai Ahmed popularly refer to as Maigida was born on 29 December 1963 in Share, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He attended Government College Funtua, Katsina State (1973–1978) and the school of Basic Studies of Kwara State College of Technology (now Kwara State Polytechnic), Ilorin (1978–1980). He went on to the University of Ilorin where he earned a BSc in Chemistry (1986) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA, 1992).

He became an Assistant Manager at District Savings and Loans, Lagos (1991–1993). In 1993, he started work with Guaranty Trust Bank in the Credit and Marketing Unit. In 1998, he moved to Societe Generale Bank Nigeria as a Senior Manager/Group Head, Consumer Banking. Later he became Public sector Group for the North West region

Dr. Ahmed was appointed Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development (2003-2009) and he won the governorship elections in 26 April 2011 under the platform of All Progressives Congress and won for the second term in office to continue his good work for his people.

I will write history of all the Major town in Kwara starting from Ilorin:

ILORIN Origin:
 
THE rivalry between the Fulani and Afonja descendants over the throne of Ilorin is rooted in history.
While the Fulani rest the case of their claim to the kingship of the ancient town on the fact that the monarch had from the time immemorial been produced by them, the Afonja descendants, who like majority of the people of the town are Yoruba, say since their ancestor founded Ilorin, their claim to the throne ought not to be disputed.

History appears in support of the former's position although the progenitor of the Fulani indigenes of Ilorin, Alimi, was actually a tenant to Afonja.

The death of Afonja and Alimi, however, saw the eldest son of the latter emerging as the first monarch of what was then known as Ilorin.

Historical sources, tracing the story to the 19th Century, said Ilorin of today was founded by Afonja, the then Aare Ona Kakanfo (Generalisimo) to Alaafin of old Oyo (Oyo Ile), who used the town as his military outpost.  It was this outpost that he carried out his war expeditions for the Alaafin. In the usual nomadic wandering, Alimi arrived Ilorin and was hosted by Afonja. Soon after Alimi took Ilorin as his place of abode, a rift broke out between Alaafin and Afonja. When the disagreement reached the climax and the two had to take up arms, Afonja, out of regard for Alimi's spiritual and military prowess, sought his support. Alimi helped in mobilising an army in support of Afonja leading to victory over Alaafin. The defeat led the then Alaafin migrating from old Oyo to the site now called Oyo.

After the war, Alimi became a teacher to Afonja's children as the latter wanted his offsprings to learn the secret of power. When both died, Alimi's son, Abdulsalami, inherited his father's duty of teaching Afonja's children.

When the idea of appointing somebody to head the village came, the eldest child of Afonja wanted to have the position but met opposition from Abdulsalami who had military support from his fellow Fulani kinsmen. Abdulsalami ultimately became the ruler of what is now called Ilorin around 1831.

The issue now is that Afonja's descendants believe that their forefathers were cheated and want a redress. But the Alimi people are claiming that the Afonja people never ruled Ilorin and, as such, no precedent exists to back their position.

Penultimate week's incident was not the first time the Afonja and the Yoruba would attempt to assert their right to Ilorin kingship.

Historical sources said in 1895, the Yoruba rose against the then emir, burnt his palace and killed him. But the revolt did not result in enthronement of a Yoruba king. In 1913, when Lord Lugard administered the northern and southern Nigeria, Yoruba were said to have spearheaded a riot over tax to bring the rulership of the then emir to ridicule. In 1936, the Yoruba, according to sources, also moved to oust Emir Abdulkadir who was banished to Kaduna but got reinstated by the colonial administration.

In 1978, the George Innih administration of Kwara State raised a judicial panel of inquiry to look into the Yoruba agitation.

The Yoruba people reportedly made a case for the merging of Kwara State with the Southwest before the commission while also laying claim to the Ilorin throne. It was said they even claimed antecedent to the throne as they allegedly said Yoruba had produced four obas in Ilorin before the advent of the Fulani. But the Alimi people, in a counter position, claimed there was no known Yoruba king in the town before their forefather mounted the throne.

The report of the panel never saw the light of day while there was also no white paper from government.

A twist to the tussle was the recent petition by three of the six Yoruba chiefs (mogajis) in Ilorin to the State House of Assembly complaining that they had been classified as ungraded by government allegedly at the behest of the emir. Their non-grading, according to the chiefs, suited the emir, so that there would be no rivalry of any sort from the Yoruba to his authority. Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union (IDPU), formed to protect the interest Ilorin indigenes who are of Fulani extraction, once in its opposition to the upgrading of the chiefs, said doing so would bring them at par with Gambari. But the Afonja Descendants Union (ADU) which came on stream in 1978 to advance the cause of the Yoruba in the town and with Kasumu as its leader would hear none of that. The group is allegedly pressuring the legislature to grade the chiefs.

Another angle to the agitation is the demand for Oya State that will comprise the Yoruba speaking areas of Kwara and Kogi States. The move, it was said, is to pull the rug from under the feet of the emir and end the Fulani rulership of Ilorin.

The Yoruba people of Ilorin are not alone in the struggle. The pan-Yoruba meeting which took place in Ibadan years back demanded restructuring of Kwara State such that Ilorin would be grouped with the Southwest. Analysts interpreted this to mean that the parley did not believe that any emir had any business on Ilorin throne.  But be as it may be Ilrorin is still being rule by Emir and Recently Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed just upgraded some Obas to First-Class just to keep the balance going. Emir of Ilorin is so power that one of the just upgraded Oba has postrate when paying homage. Ilorin is a City with a doubted root.

The names of families listed are the prominent families in Ilorin . They are the movers and shakers of the state with families from 3rd generation in politics and many more facts.

1 THE SARAKIS

The late “Baba Oloye”, Dr. Olusola Saraki needs little or no introduction in the nation’s political arena. He was a former Senate Leader. He was popularly called the “the godfather of Kwara politics.” He was the patriarch of the Saraki family of Ilorin. This is the family that produced the likes of Dr. Bukola Saraki, the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, and the present President of the  Senate, Federal republic of Nigeria. Another popular member of this family is Sen. Gbemisola Saraki a one time senator and Governorship aspirant. The Sarakis are one of Ilorin’s richest families.

2 THE GAMBARIS

This is a great royal family in Ilorin, among them is the present Emir of Ilorin, Dr Zulu Gambari, also a notable politician, Balikisu Gambari,Omar Bolaji Gambari, a corporate attorney, is the Managing Director of Pollux Energy Solutions Limited.

3 THE BELGORES

The Belgores is a family of reputable lawyers, some of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SAN) and judges. The likes of Justice Babatunde Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Justice Alfa Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Justice Ahmed Belgore, Justice Suleiman Belgore (Abuja High Court), Mohammed Dele Belgore, SAN; Yakubu Belgore; Maimuna Belgore-Shiru; Khadija Belgore. Some are Magistrates and State Counsels.

4THE ONIKIJIPAS

This is another notable Ilorin family that needs no much introduction. One of them is Sheikh Onikijipa Almisqeen, a highly Revered Islamic Spiritualist, he teaches Islamic Knowledge, he preaches around, which has made him a renowned scholar. He controls a large followership of Islamic faithfuls.

5 THE BARAJES

The Barajes are prominent family in Ilorin. They are successful Kwarans, and their descendants are still thriving tremendously in their chosen fields. One of them is Alhaji Kawu Baraje, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

6 THE ONIMAGOS

The Onimagos are blessed with successful offsprings. Alhaji Saka Onimago hails from this family.

7 THE IDIAGBONS

This is another prominent Ilorin family, with great house hold name. Late Major General Babatunde Idiagbon, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters (Vice President) during the Buhari Military, regime is from the family.

8 THE KAWUS

The patriarch of the Kawu family (father of the judiciary in Kwara State), Justice Sa’ idu Kawu was the first Chief Judge for Kwara State; he was later elevated to the Supreme Court, and he became the first son of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State to become a Justice of the Supreme Court. Late Justice Kawu’s eldest son is Justice Suleiman Durosinlorun Kawu.

9 THE ALIMIS

The Alimis are one of the foremost families in Ilorin. They are one of the largest families in Kwara State, notable and respected. They are blessed with successful sons and daughters who are doing well in various fields of life. Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq, is the Chairman of the Governing Board of Bridge House College.

10 THE MUSAS

This is the family of Sheikh Buhari Musa, the popular Islamic preacher with an assertive approach to most of the public lectures he anchors. With his creative way of spicing his lecture up with entertaining banters, he anchors most society events where a touch of Islamic food for thought is required.

11 THE GEGELES

The Gegeles are Ilorin indigenes to the core, they are well known, with credible sons and daughters who are successful in various fields.

12 THE LAWALS

This is another great Ilorin family, blessed with prominent politicians and legal luminaries. A member of this family is former Governor of Kwara State, late Mohammed Lawal.

13 THE ADEBAYO SALAMIS

The Adebayo Salamis are very notable, one of them is Adebayo Salami, the popular actor a.k.a. Oga Bello, not forgetting Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo, and many more.

14 THE AKANBIS

This is another prominent Ilorin family that has Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, a former President of the Court of Appeal who headed the Nigerian Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). His son is also a successful lawyer who was a one time Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch.

15 THE LAAROS

This is another reputable family that has produced successful personnel. They are well known in Ilorin environs,one of them is Late Alhaji Usman Laaro and Alhaji Ayinla Laaro.

16 THE JIDDAHS

This is another very notable family in Ilorin. They are also blessed with successful offsprings, some of whom are prominent civil servants and politicians. Late Alhaji Amusa Jiddah was a popular godfather in Kwara State.

17 THE ATUNWAS

Abdulrazaq Atunwa, the present Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, who is also a successful politician, is from this family.

18 THE SOLIHUS

They are prominent Ilorin family, and they are blessed with successful children. One prominent member of the family is Imam Muhammed Bashir Solihu (OON), the Chief Imam of Ilorin. He was appointed in 1983, he leads the Jummat Prayer, and Eid Prayers.

19 THE BIBIRES

Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, the present Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdulfattah on Political Matters hails from this family. They also have successful sons and daughters doing well in various fields.

20 THE SOLAGBERUS

They are also prominent, one of them is a former Chairman on Education Matters, they also produced notable politicians and businessmen.

21 THE OLODODOS

This is another very great Ilorin family that needs no introduction. Olododo, a politician per excellence is one of the notable members of this great Ilorin family.

22 THE KELANIS

This family is one of the biggest families in Ilorin and beyond, they have an endless list of successful children.

23 THE ALIAGANS

The Aliagans are one family that are well known in Ilorin environs, the popular On-Air personality and Islamic scholar, Alhaji Aliagan hails from this family.

24 THE OBAS

This is indeed another very prominent Ilorin family which has the present Governorship aspirant under the People Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Oba Abdulrahman.

25 THE ADISAS

The Adisas also hail from Ilorin, and they are blessed with resourceful children, home and abroad, former military top bras, Gen. Abdulkareem Adisa hails from this family.

26 THE MUSTAPHAS

This is another notable Ilorin family that has a very prominent legal luminary and academician.Among them is Honourable Moshood Mustapha and Akeem Mustapha.


Useful Resources about Kwara State.
State Official Website: www.kwarastate.gov.ng

Schools on The Web:

University of Ilorin (www.unilorin.edu.ng)

Kwara State University (www.kwasu.edu.ng)

Kwara State Polytechnic (www.kwarapolytechnic.com)

Landmark University (www.imu.edu.ng)

Al-Hikma University (www.alhikmah.edu.ng)

Contact
State Liason Office:

Plot 38, Jose Marit Crescent, Asokoro, P.M.B 224, Garki, Abuja

 Permit me to drop my pen here  and follow-up with History of Offa in my next article.

Written and compile by Adewuyi Ayodeji