About Taraba State
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Here you will discover the land mass, estimated population size, market days and more of Taraba State.
Taraba State at a Glance
Taraba State was created on August 27th, 1991 when the Babangida Military Administration carved it out of the defunct Gongola State.
The State derives its name from one of the three major rivers and covers a land area of 59,400 square kilometres. At inception, the state comprised only ten Local Government Areas namely; Jalingo, Donga (created on 27th August 1991 Zing, Lau, Karim Lamido, Sardauna, Bali, Gashaka, Wukari and Takum.
The State currently has sixteen local government areas as a result of the creation of the following new LGAs; Ibi and Yorro in September 1991 and Ardo Kola, Kurmi, Ussa and Gassol in 1996.
There is also Yangtu, a Special Development area created by Danbaba administration in 2008 and NGADA Special Development Area which was created by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku in September 2016.
The State derives its name from River Taraba and is made up of sixteen (16) Local Government Areas and two Special Development Areas. These areas constitute administrative units in three geopolitical zones with a total population of about four (4) million people.
Location, Climate, Vegetation and Land Mass
CLIMATE
The dry and rainy season common to tropical regions are also the dominant climatic features. The rainy season starts in April and ends in October, while the dry season begins in November and terminates in March.
The dry Season reaches its peak in January and February when the dusty north-east trade winds blow across the state.
The climatic, soil and hydrology of the State provide a conducive atmosphere for the cultivation of most staple food crops, grazing land for animals and fresh water for fishing as well as forestry.
VEGETATION
The vegetation of Taraba State comprises three types of vegetational zones namely; the Guinea Savannah which is marked by mainly forest and tall grasses are found in the southern part of the State like Wukari, Ussa, Kurmi, Takum, and Donga.
The Sub-Sudan type characterized by short grasses is found in Jalingo, Lau, and Ardo kola, interspersed with short trees.
While the semi-temperate zone marked by luxuriant pasture and short trees is found on the Mambilla Plateau.
Taraba State Land Mass
Taraba State L.G.A Provisional Population Figures (2006 Record)
According to the 2006 census figures released by the National Population Commission (NPC), Taraba State has population figures of Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Six people (2,300,736).
Taraba State L.G.A Provisional Population Figures
LGA | POPULATION | MALES | FEMALE |
---|---|---|---|
Ardo-Kola | 86,921 | 44,020 | 42,901 |
Bali | 208,935 | 112,014 | 96,921 |
Donga | 134,111 | 69,267 | 65,844 |
Gashaka | 87,781 | 48,911 | 38,870 |
Gassol | 244,749 | 125,293 | 119,456 |
Ibi | 84,054 | 45,350 | 38,704 |
Jalingo | 139,845 | 77,425 | 62,420 |
Karim-lamido | 195,844 | 99,513 | 96,331 |
Kurmi | 91,531 | 49,188 | 42,343 |
Lau | 96,590 | ||
Sardauna | 224,437 | 113,185 | 111,252 |
Takum | 135,349 | 68,863 | 66,486 |
Ussa | 93,017 | 50,700 | 41,995 |
Wukari | 241,546 | ||
Yorro | 89,410 | 45,548 | 43,862 |
Zing | 127,363 | 64,602 | 62,761 |
Disputed Areas | 20,253 | 10,386 | 9,867 |
Total | 2,300,736 | 1,199,849 | 1,100,887 |
Administrative Structure
Since its return to democratic rule on May 29, 1999, Taraba State being a constituent part of Nigeria has continued to be governed by the three democratic arms of Government namely; the Executive, the Legislative and Judiciary.
This is a marked contrast to the Military dictatorship, where only the Executive and Judiciary existed.
The Judiciary
The Judiciary is saddled with the task of the administration of justice. It is led by the Chief Judge, who is also the Chairman of the State Judicial Service Commission, a body entrusted with the duty of appointment, promotion and discipline of judicial officers. The Judiciary in the State dispenses justice through the High Courts, Sharia, Area and Customary Courts spread across the State.
There are four Judicial divisions in the State namely; Jalingo, Gembu, Wukari and Bali.
The State Customary Court of Appeal is headed by its President while the Sharia Court of Appeal is headed by the Grand Khadi.
Health Institutions
Taraba State has enjoyed a quantum leap in the area of provision of health facilities in it’s seventeen (17) years of existence.
Most of the giant strides in the health sector has been recorded in the current democratic dispensation. The State currently boasts of an ultra modern and well equipped Specialist Hospital located in Jalingo the State Capital.
Three other Referral Hospitals are located in Mutum Biyu, Gassol LGA, Serti, Headquarters of Gashaka LGA and Pantisawa, Yorro LGA.
Similarly, the State has also well equipped General Hospitals located at Wukari, Gembu, Warwar, Bambur and Zing. Takum Hospital which was destroyed during the Takum communal crisis is being reconstructed.
All these hospitals were renovated and expanded to meet the ever growing needs of patients. Cottage hospitals and several Comprehensive Health Care Centres have also been established in various Local Government Areas to cater for the rural populace.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo and School of Health Technology, Takum have continued to provide the manpower training to the area of health in the State.
The State Government is also playing a vanguard role in rolling back Malaria and the HIV/AIDS scourge in the State through well planned and executed programmes.
The media tour of all States of the Federation in which Taraba State was adjudged one of the best States in Nigeria in terms of provision of health facilities, attests to the unwavering commitment of the State Government in providing health for all.
Political Divisions
The State is politically divided into three zones namely the Northern, Central and Southern Zones.
The Northern zone comprises six Local Government Areas which Include Jalingo, Yorro, Ardo-Kola Others are Karim Lamido, Lau and Zing.
Gashaka, Sardauna, Bali, Kurmi, and Gassol Local Government Areas comprise the Central zone.
The Local Government Areas of Wukari, Takum, lbi, Donga and Ussa constitute the Southern Zone. .
Ethnic Grouping and Occupation
ETHNIC GROUPS
There are over eighty (80) ethnic groups found in Taraba State each with its distinct historical and cultural heritage cohabiting peacefully with one another. Some of these tribes include Mumuye, Ichen, Wurkum, Mambilla, Kuteb, Chamba, Jukun, Yandang, Fulani, Jenjo, Kunini, Lo, Ndoro,Kambu, Kaka, Bandawa, Mung, Tiv, Zo, Bambuka, Jibu and Jole.
Hausa is commonly spoken by most indigenes of Taraba State irrespective of ethnic grouping. Other ethnic groups like Yoruba, Igbo are also found in Taraba State.
OCCUPATION
As a result of its agrarian nature, the predominant population of the State engages in farming as an occupation. The State also has a growing number of those who engage in white-collar jobs owing to the assumption of a cosmopolitan character by the State capital.
About three-quarters (i.e 75%) of the people are farmers while an estimated one-quarter (25%) are engaged in other economic activities.
Economy and Industrialization
The agrarian nature and rich alluvial tract of soil found in most parts of the State makes Taraba State conducive for growing various food and cash crops. Its agrarian economy can sustain the entire Nigeria nation.
The Taraba State Government fully conscious of the role industrialisation can play in the overall development of the State has spared no effort in aggressively developing its industrial base by the establishment of such industries as the Taraba Gas Company. The State Government also, in liaising with the Federal Government and foreign business is embarking on the construction of the multibillion-dollar Mambilla Plateau Hydro Electric Project which when completed will serve the energy needs of the country and even beyond.
The State Government also, in liaising with the Federal Government and foreign businesses are embarking on the construction of the multibillion-dollar Mambilla Plateau Hydro Electric Project which when completed will serve the energy needs of the country and even beyond.
In addition to breaking new industrial grounds, the State Government under a democratic dispensation is resolutely committed to reviving and consolidating ex-industries such as the Baissa Timber Development Company, the Taraba Tomato Industry in Lau and The Nigerian Beverages Production Company Tea Factory, Kakara in Sardauna LGA.
The State Government has taken the bold step of inviting foreign businesses into the state in order to invest in critical areas like solid mineral exploration and development.
Market Days of Some Major Towns in Taraba State
Market Days of some Major Towns in Taraba State
S/N | LGA | TOWN | MARKET DAYS |
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1 | Ardo Kola | Sunkani | Tuesday |
Iware | Tuesday |
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Garin Mallum | Monday |
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Mayo-Renewo | Saturday |
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Kasuwan Lahadi | Sunday |
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Kantiel | Monday & Friday | ||
2 | Bali | Bali | Friday |
Maihula | Saturday |
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Garba-Chede | Thursday |
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Pamanga | Sunday |
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Dakka | Saturday | ||
3 | Donga | Donga | Friday |
Anannum | Saturday |
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Suntai | Thursday |
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Mararraba | Monday |
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Fali | Friday | ||
4 | Gashaka | Serti | Friday |
Jamtari | Sunday |
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Garbabi | Friday | ||
5 | Gassol | Mutum-biyu | Friday |
Tella | Sunday |
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Kwararrafa | Saturday |
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Sabon-gida | Monday |
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Namnai | Wednesday |
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Mararraba Gassol | Wednesday |
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Tutare/Bembal | Saturday | ||
6 | Ibi | Ibi | Sunday |
Gindin Waya | Saturday |
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Dampar | Friday |
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Sarkin kudu | Tuesday | ||
7 | Jalingo | Jalingo | Friday |
Mile 6 | Sunday |
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Kona | Saturday |
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Nukkai | Wednesday | ||
8 | Karim Lamido | Karim Lamido | Monday |
Bambur | Saturday |
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Mutum Daya | Saturday |
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Muri | Friday |
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Gomu | Tuesday |
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Didango | Tuesday |
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Jen | Thursday | ||
9 | Kurmi | Baissa | |
Abong | Monday |
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Didan | Friday |
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Ruwan Sanyi | Tuesday |
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Mubi-Tosso | Sunday |
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Ashuku | Friday |
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Ndafor | Saturday |
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Sabongida | Thursday |
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Akwanwe | Tuesday |
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Bissaula | Monday |
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10 | Lau | Lau | Friday |
Kunini | Monday |
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Sayonti | Sunday |
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Abbare | Tuesday |
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Garin-Dogo | Sunday | ||
11 | Sardauna | Gembu | 10 Days |
Mayo-Ndaga | Friday |
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Yelwa | Saturday |
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Marwa | 10 Days | ||
Kakara | 10 Days |
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Furmi | Sunday | ||
Zingo Ajiya | Thursday | ||
Nguroje | Friday |
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12 | Takum | Takum | Thursday |
Chanchanji | Wednesday |
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Kuffai Ahmadu | Friday |
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Kashimbilla | Monday |
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Tati | Thursday |
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13 | Ussa | Lissam | Thursday |
Kpambo | Wednesday |
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Fikyu | Monday |
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Ruth | Tuesday |
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Kwesati | Saturday |
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Kpakya | Wednesday |
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Manya | Monday |
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14 | Wukari | Wukari | Friday |
Rafin Kada | Thursday |
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Gindin-Doruwa | Wednesday |
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Gidan Idi | Sunday |
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Tsokundi | Thursday |
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Bantaji | Tuesday | ||
15 | Yorro | Pantisawa | Sunday |
Pupule | Saturday |
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Appawa | Thursday |
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Nyaja | Monday |
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Kassa | Friday |
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Lankaviri | Monday | ||
16 | Zing | Zing | Wednesday |
Monkin | Saturday |
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Lanrma | Friday |
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Mika | Sunday |
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Yakoko | Sunday |