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Taraba State

Coordinates: 8°00′N 10°30′E / 8.000°N 10.500°E / 8.000; 10.500
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Taraba
Taraba
State
Mambilla Plateau of Taraba State
Mambilla Plateau of Taraba State
Seal of Taraba State
Seal
Nicknames: 
Nature's Gift to the Nation (French: Le cadeau de la nature à la nation)
Location of Taraba State in Nigeria
Location of Taraba State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 8°00′N 10°30′E / 8.000°N 10.500°E / 8.000; 10.500
Country Nigeria
Date created27 August 1991
CapitalJalingo
Government
 • BodyGovernment of Taraba State
 • Governor
(List)		Agbu Kefas (PDP)
 • Deputy GovernorAminu Alkali (PDP)
 • LegislatureTaraba State House of Assembly
 • SenatorsC: Haruna Manu (PDP)
N: Shuaibu Isa Lau (PDP)
S: David Jimkuta (APC)
 • RepresentativesList
Area
 • Total54,473 km2 (21,032 sq mi)
 • Rank3rd of 36
Population
 (2006 census)
 • Total2,294,800[1]
 • Estimate 
(2022)
3,609,800[2]
 • Rank30th of 36
GDP (PPP)
 • Year2021
 • Total$13.27 billion[3]
 • Per capita$3,720[3]
Time zoneUTC+01 (WAT)
postal code
660001
ISO 3166 codeNG-TA
HDI (2018)0.501[4]
low · 26th of 37
Websitetarabastate.gov.ng

Taraba State is a state in north-eastern Nigeria, named after the Taraba River, which traverses the Southern part of the state. Taraba State capital is Jalingo. Its slogan is Nature's Gift to the Nation. The main ethnic groups are the Mumuye, Mambilla, Jukun, Kuteb, Wurkun, Yandang, Ndola, Ichen, Jenjo, Tiv, Fulani, Tigun, and Jibu. The northern part is mainly dominated by the Fulani, and Mumuye. The southern parts are dominated by the Jukun, Chamba, Tiv, Kuteb and Ichen. The central region is mainly occupied by the Fulani, Mambilla, Ndola, Tigun, Jibu, Wurbo, and Daka people. There are 77 distinct ethnic groups, and their languages in the State.

History

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The Taraba state was created out of the former Gongola state on 27 August 1991 by the military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. The State is an amalgam of three former Divisions - Wukari, Mambilla and Muri Divisions.

Geography

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Donga River, Taraba state

Taraba state is bordered in the west by Nasarawa state and Benue state (for 109 km), northwest by Plateau state for 202 km (126 miles), north by the Bauchi state for 54 km and Gombe state for 58 km, northeast by Adamawa state for about 366 km and south by Northwest Region in Cameroon for about 525 km.

The Benue, Donga, Taraba and Ibi are the main rivers in the state. They rise from the Cameroonian mountains, draining almost the entire length of the state in the North and South directions to link up with the River Niger.[5]

Boat mishaps In Taraba State

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"Three children's bodies have been found after a boat carrying passengers capsized on Saturday while traveling from the Mayo-Renewo market to the Karim Lamido neighborhood of Taraba," according to diverse media reports.

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, Abdullahi Usman, the state's police spokesperson, confirmed the incident to TheCable. He added that it is still unclear how many people were on the boat. Given that they are passengers from the Mayo-Renewo market traveling to Karim Lamido, he said the exact number of passengers on that boat has not yet been determined.

Climate

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The climate of Taraba state is marked by an annual average temperature of 33°C but high level of cold in January and an increased rainfall in August.[6] The percentage of rainfall in Taraba state is 40.35% with 54.98% relative humidity. The state is usually very warm in March with 40.44°C, and an average wind of 8.84 km/h.[7]

Flood

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Many homes and commercial buildings in Taraba are affected by flooding, including those in the suburbs.[8][9]

Healthcare

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Taraba State has several hospitals and health care centers: some of them are:

  • Courage Hospital
  • Federal Medical Center (FMC)
  • Gateway Hospital
  • General Hospital, Bali
  • Sauki Hospital and Maternity
  • Totus Hospital and Maternity
  • Albert Healthcare Company
  • Taraba Specialist Hospital[10]
  • kwararafa Hospital and maternity
  • Federal Polythecnic Bali Medical Center
  • First Referral Hospital
  • Biyama Hospital

Local government areas

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See also: List of villages in Taraba State

Taraba State consists of sixteen (16) Local Government Areas (or LGAs), which are governed by elected chairmen. The local government areas are listed as follows:

Languages

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Languages of Taraba state listed by LGA include:[11]

LGA Languages
Ardo Kola Fulfulde; Mumuye, Jibu (Jukun Kona), and Hausa
Bali Fulfulde; Ichen Language Fam; Gbaya, Northwest; Jibu; Jukun Takum; Kam; Mumuye; Ndoola; Chamba Dakka; chamba leko; Tiv; Hausa.
Donga Ichen Language, Ekpan, Chamba Leko, Tiv.
Gashaka Fulfulde, Jibu, Ndola, Chamba Daka; Yamba Tiv, and Hausa.
Gassol Fulfulde, Wapan, Tiv
Ibi Fulfulde Duguri; Dza, Tiv, Wanu
Jalingo Fufulde; Mumuye; Jibu (Jukun Kona), and Hausa
Karim Lamido wurkun; Dadiya; Dza; Jiba; Jiru; kodei; Kulung; Kyak; Laka; Munga Lelau; Loo; Mághdì; Mak; Munga Doso; Mumuye; Nyam; Pangseng; Wurkun-Anphandi; Shoo-Minda-Nye; Yandang; Hõne; Kwa; Pero. Hausa.
Kurmi Ndoro; Ichen language; Tigun language; Abon; Bitare.
Lau Fufulde; Dza; Loo; Yandang, Laka and Hausa.
Sardauna Mambila; Kaka; Banso; Kambu; Fulfulde.
Takum Mashi; Bete; Ichen Language; Jukun Takum; Kapya; Kpan; Kpati; Kuteb; Lufu; Acha language Acha; Tiv; Yukuben
Ussa Kuteb
Wukari Wapan, Ichen Language; Ekpan; Kpati; Kulung; Tarok; Tiv;
Yorro Fulfulde; Mumuye, Hausa
Zing Mumuye, Nyong; Rang; Yandang

Other languages spoken in Taraba State are Akum, Bukwen, Esimbi, Fali of Baissa, Jiba, Njerep, Tha, Yandang, Yotti, Ywom.[11]

Education

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Taraba State has many schools and education centers.

Further information: List of Tertiary Institutions in Taraba State

Universities

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Transport

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Federal highways are:

One road to Cameroon east from A8 at Gembu to N6 at Banyo.

Other major roads include

  • The Bachumbi Rd east from Plateau State at Zurak via Muri, Banyam and Bambuka to Adamawa State,
  • The Wukari-Ampei Rd north to Ibi on the Benue River,
  • The Garin Kunini-Zing Rd southeast from Dzhu’a-Khore via Pupule to Adamawa State at Bisa as the Zaridi-Mayo Belwa Rd,
  • South from Jalingo via Sunkani, Garbe Shege, Bajabure, Pangri and Mai Fula to Dogari Tiv,the Wukari-Takum Rd,
  • The Katsina Ala-Takum road west to Benue State at Dogon Gawa,
  • The Garin Jatau Bali Rd east from Takum across the River Donga at Manya and northeast to Mararaba,
  • The Rafin Kada-Gembu Rd southeast from Donga via Mararaba, and
  • The Mambila-Plateau Rd.

Airports include

Agriculture

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The major occupation of the people of Taraba state is agriculture. Cash crops produced in the state include coffee, tea, groundnuts and cotton.[15] Crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, and yam are also produced in commercial quantity.[16] In addition, cattle, sheep and goats are reared in large numbers, especially on the Mambilla Plateau, and along the Benue and Taraba valleys.[17] Similarly, the people of Taraba state undertake other livestock production activities like poultry production, rabbit breeding and pig farming in fairly large scale. In February 2024, the World Bank in Nigeria announced plans to empower 5,200 female livestock farmers in the state. [18]Communities living on the banks of River Benue, River Taraba, River Donga and Ibi, engage in fishing all year round. Other occupational activities such as pottery, cloth-weaving, dyeing, mat-making, carving, embroidery and blacksmithing are also carried out in various parts of the state.[19][20]

Natural resources

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Taraba state has abundant natural resources for industrial and commercial use, these include:[21]

Mineral raw materials

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Agro-raw materials

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Culture

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The government has made concerted efforts to improve areas of tourist attractions like Mambilla Tourist Center, Gumpti Park and game reserve in Gashaka. Karimjo Abedahh festival and the Nwunyu fishing festival in Ibi, all this is usually held in April of each year where activities such as canoe racing, swimming competition and cultural dances are held. Other festivals are Purma of the Chamba in Donga, Takum and Jibu culture dance in Bali, the Tagba of Acha People in Takum, Kuchecheb of Kutebs in Takum and Ussa,[23] Kati and Bol of the Mambilla and host of others. Taraba is called "Nature's gift to the nation" as the state is rich and has many ethnic groups, including Kuteb, Chamba, Yandang, Mumuyes, Mambila, Karimjo, Wurkums, Jenjo, Jukun, Ichen, Tiv, Kaka, Pena, Kambu, Kodei, Wawa, Vute, Fulani, Hausa and Ndola.

Mambilla Tribe of Taraba State

A striking historical fact about the State is that it encompasses part of the Mambilla Region which is famed as the Bantu cradle, having been occupied for some five millennia to date (Schwartz, 1972; Zeitlyn & Connell, 2003).

[edit]
  • Gashaka-Gumpti-National-Park-Taraba-State
    Transportation In river Lamido, Taraba State
  • A Mountain in Mambilla
    A Mountain in Mambilla
  • The Mambilla Plateau
    The Mambilla Plateau
  • Donga River, Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State
    Donga River, Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State
  • Loop traditional dancers from Taraba State
    Loop traditional dancers from Taraba State
  • Gwagir Lake (SGEN or Tunga) in Mambilla, Taraba State
    Gwagir Lake (SGEN or Tunga) in Mambilla, Taraba State
  • Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, 2012
    Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, 2012
  • Gashaka-Gumti National Park Taraba State
    Gashaka-Gumti National Park Taraba State

Notable people

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Politics

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The state government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's house of assembly. The capital city of the state is Jalingo.[26]

Electoral system

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The governor of the state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of votes and over 25% of votes in at least two-third of the state local government areas. If no candidate passes threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION". population.gov.ng. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Taraba State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Okeowo, Gabriel; Fatoba, Iyanuoluwa, eds. (13 October 2022). "State of States 2022 Edition" (PDF). Budgit.org. BudgIT. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  5. ^ Fay, Robert (7 April 2005), "Niger River", African American Studies Center, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-530173-1, retrieved 11 July 2024
  6. ^ "Worlddata".
  7. ^ "Tcktcktck.org".
  8. ^ Mkom, John (25 April 2023). "Flood Submerges 300 Houses In Taraba". Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  9. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (21 August 2023). "Flood: Taraba Govt issues alert to 6 LGAs". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  10. ^ Mkom, John (16 October 2022). "Mosquitoes: Patients Berate Taraba Specialist Hospital Over Poor Environmental Sanitation". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Nigeria". Ethnologue (22 ed.). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Federal University Wukari Convocation: Buhari Tasks Graduates On Innovation – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  13. ^ Daniels, Ajiri (31 July 2022). "Taraba varsity to establish model ranch – VC". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  14. ^ admin (13 March 2017). "Kwararafa University, Wukari, Steps Out". Intervention. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  15. ^ Edon, Aboki; Abubakar, Kara H.; Ashindo, Zubairu E. (1 December 2023). "Analysis of Financial Profitability of Tomato Growers in Taraba State, Nigeria". AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences. 7 (3): 25–36. doi:10.61090/aksuja.2023.015. ISSN 2651-5679.
  16. ^ "About". TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Rotational grazing meets technology on Mambilla Plateau". Earth Journalism Network. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  18. ^ Reporters, Our (7 February 2024). "FG, W'Bank empowers 5,000 Taraba, A'Ibom farmers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Taraba – Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid landscapes (ACReSAL) project". 17 May 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Jobs in Taraba State". Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  21. ^ "Natural Resources Natural Resources Available in Taraba State". TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  22. ^ Hunkuyi, Magaji (29 October 2022). "How groundnut boosts economy of Taraba town". Daily Trust. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  23. ^ "The Kuteb People - The Kuteb People". Archived from the original on 9 June 2013.
  24. ^ "Taraba governor's wife gets award for empowering youths | The Nation Newspaper". 6 June 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  25. ^ Online, Tribune (25 November 2022). "Appeal Court affirms Kefas as Taraba PDP governorship candidate". Tribune Online. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  26. ^ Oguntola, Tunde (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  27. ^ Oguntola, Tunde (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Retrieved 24 February 2023.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Taraba State.
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