Kogi Map

Kogi Map

Kogi State is found in central region of Nigeria. It was carved from Kwara and Benue States in 1991 and occupies 29,833 square kilometres. It has 21 Local Government Areas (thirteen local government areas from the former Kwara and eight from Benue States) and comprises the Igala, Ebira, Kabba, Yoruba and Kogi divisions of the former Kabba province. It shares common boundaries with Niger, Kwara, Nassarawa and the Federal Capital Territory to the north. To the east, the state is bounded by Benue state, to the south by Enugu and Anambra States, and to the west by Ondo, Ekiti and Edo states. Lokoja, which houses the confluence of River Niger and River Benue, is the state capital. Ethnically, Yoruba, Nupe and Bassa form the main ethnic groups. The main religions in the state are Christianity and Islam but a fair amount of traditional religion is being practiced. The majority of the people are farmers. The State is abundantly blessed with fertile lands and good climatic conditions. Some of the agricultural produce from Kogi State includes yam, cassava, soya bean, cocoyam, maize, millet, rice, guinea corn, palm produce and Cowpea. Iron ore, mica, marble, limestone and coal as some of the mineral deposits in the State. According to the 2006 population censors, Kogi State has a total population of 3,278,487 out of which 1, 672, 029 are children (0-17years) (FMWA&SD, 2008). With OVC prevalence of 21%, the OVC population for the state is 351, 126 (FMWA&SD, 2008). From 280 households surveyed in 2007, the OVC situation shows that 899 children lived in households (% male = 51, % female = 51%) with an average of 3.2 children per household, 31% of children are orphans while 75% of children were attending school (CS, 2007). The Socioeconomic status of households surveyed shows that majority of households lack access to safe drinking water and so prefer to buy drinking water from vendors, poor toilet facility and waste disposal, and majority of households use firewood as main source of energy (CRS, 2007).