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About Taraba State

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Know All About Taraba State

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
Taraba State lies roughly between latitude 6030″ and 9036″ north and longitude 90 10″50″ east. It is bounded by Bauchi and Gombe and Adamawa States in the north-east, and by Plateau State in the north-central. The state is further bounded to the north central by both Nasarawa and Benue States, while it shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroun to the south and south-east.

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
Total Area in Km Sq = 60291.82
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

LGAPOPULATIONMALESFEMALE
Ardo-Kola86,92144,020 42,901
Bali208,935112,014 96,921
Donga134,11169,267 65,844
Gashaka87,78148,911 38,870
Gassol244,749125,293 119,456
Ibi84,05445,350 38,704
Jalingo139,84577,425 62,420
Karim-lamido195,84499,513 96,331
Kurmi91,53149,188 42,343
Lau96,590
Sardauna224,437113,185 111,252
Takum135,34968,863 66,486
Ussa93,01750,700 41,995
Wukari241,546
Yorro89,41045,548 43,862
Zing127,36364,602 62,761
Disputed Areas20,25310,386 9,867
Total2,300,7361,199,849 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 TOWNMARKET DAYS
1Ardo KolaSunkani

Tuesday

Iware

Tuesday

Garin Mallum

Monday

Mayo-Renewo

Saturday

Kasuwan Lahadi

Sunday

KantielMonday & Friday
2BaliBali
Friday
Maihula

Saturday

Garba-Chede

Thursday

Pamanga

Sunday

DakkaSaturday
3DongaDonga
Friday
Anannum

Saturday

Suntai

Thursday

Mararraba

Monday

FaliFriday
4GashakaSerti
Friday
Jamtari

Sunday

GarbabiFriday
5GassolMutum-biyu
Friday
Tella

Sunday

Kwararrafa
Saturday


Sabon-gida

Monday

Namnai

Wednesday

Mararraba Gassol

Wednesday

Tutare/BembalSaturday
6IbiIbi
Sunday
Gindin Waya

Saturday

Dampar

Friday

Sarkin kuduTuesday
7JalingoJalingo
Friday
Mile 6

Sunday

Kona

Saturday

NukkaiWednesday
8Karim LamidoKarim Lamido
Monday
Bambur
Saturday


Mutum Daya

Saturday
Muri


Friday
Gomu


Tuesday
Didango


Tuesday

JenThursday
9KurmiBaissa
Abong
Monday

Didan
Friday

Ruwan Sanyi

Tuesday

Mubi-Tosso

Sunday

Ashuku

Friday

Ndafor

Saturday

Sabongida

Thursday

Akwanwe


Tuesday
Bissaula
Monday
10LauLau
Friday
Kunini
Monday

Sayonti

Sunday


Abbare

Tuesday

Garin-DogoSunday
11SardaunaGembu
10 Days
Mayo-Ndaga
Friday

Yelwa
Saturday

Marwa
10 Days

Kakara
10 Days

Furmi
Sunday

Zingo Ajiya

Thursday
Nguroje
Friday
12TakumTakum
Thursday
Chanchanji
Wednesday

Kuffai Ahmadu


Friday


Kashimbilla

Monday




Tati
Thursday

13UssaLissam
Thursday
Kpambo
Wednesday

Fikyu

Monday

Ruth

Tuesday


Kwesati
Saturday

Kpakya


Wednesday

ManyaMonday


14WukariWukari
Friday
Rafin Kada
Thursday

Gindin-Doruwa

Wednesday

Gidan Idi

Sunday

Tsokundi

Thursday


Bantaji
Tuesday
15YorroPantisawa
Sunday
Pupule
Saturday

Appawa

Thursday

Nyaja

Monday

Kassa


Friday

LankaviriMonday
16ZingZing
Wednesday
Monkin
Saturday

Lanrma

Friday

Mika

Sunday


Yakoko
Sunday