Read the facts about this Nigerian State

Known as the State of Harmony, Kwara State, it is the gateway between the South and North, the state was created in 1967 by the military junta of General Yakubu Gowon and 49 years after, 16 local councils have been carved out from it.

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”, a local name for the River Niger.

It is bordered by Oyo and Osun States from the South West, and Kogi and Niger States from the North Central, while Ilorin is its capital.

49 years after its creation, the state is reputed for its religious tolerance and multi-ethnicity composition.

NAIJ.com reports that the principal groups residing in Kwara State are the Yoruba, Nupe, Baruba and Fulani and they are original indigenes of the 16 Local Government Areas in the state; namely, Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa, Oke-Ero, Oyun and Pategi.

The State, which is endowed with diverse culture and tribes, is a home to some northerners and southerners who are striving in their various trades.

A resident of the state, Mr Awosanmi Olaitan, who claimed to have resided in Kwara for almost 40years, told NAIJ.com that it is peaceful, adding that he had adopted it as his state of origin because of some of his childhood friends are indigenes of the state.

The state is divided politically into three senatorial districts, Central, South and North. Yorubas are found in the Southern part of the state, Baruba, Nupe, Northern part; Fulani and Yoruba are indigenes of the Kwara Central. Each of the three senatorial districts is recognised for its peculiarities.

For instance, Kwara South senatorial district is grouped along three ethnic tribes, Ekiti, Ibolo and Igbomina in which the  indigenes of this district are Yorubas and practice Islam, Christianity and Traditional religions.

READ ALSO: Kwara Commissioner explains happenings in the State

According to an Ilorin-based Journalist, Osasona Kehinde, who hails from Oke-Ero local government area of the state, the district is a typical Yoruba setting and its people co-exist harmoniously.

He added that despite the advent of Islam and Christianity, the people of Kwara south have not totally jettisoned their traditional belief.

NAIJ.com also gathered that as part of culture and tradition, every town and village in the district still observes the annual yam festival and celebrates masquerade festival till date.

In the Central, Ilorin, which is the capital of the state is the political and religious headquarters of the district. The district is under the authority of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and it is named the Ilorin Emirate.

As reputed, Ilorin as a town is dominated by people of diverse backgrounds but with a common front. Since it was founded centuries ago, the town is known and synonymous with Islam and to this end, Islam is the only faith practice by the bonafide indigenes of the town.

However, its residents, who are Christians are enjoying freedom of worship.

Kwara is noted for Durba, Ere Olomoba, Weaving, among others.

The Kwara North indigines of the state are Barubas and Nupes and their ways of life are resemblance to the Ilorin people but a Nupe man is accustomed with Fish and Rice, while a Baruba is at home with Pounded yam.

After 49 years of existence, the state could be categorised as developed in terms of infrastructural development as it plays host to the federal owned University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Federal Training Centre, Ilorin, State Colleges of Education, Ilorin and Oro, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin, Kwara State University, Al-Hikma University and Land Mark University (a private University) located in Omu Aran.

Also, NTA and notable media out-stations are sited in the state alongside an International Airport. Kwara non-indigenes are of the view that the State is harmonious and a beckon of hope to settlers.

Mr Emmmanuel Ogor, an indigene of Abia State, who plies his trade in the state, said he is happy and contented to be a resident of the state, explaining that since 1999 he relocated to the state, his family and business has not for once been attacked.

“I relocated to Ilorin in 1999 from the East and since then, I don’t have any regret living and transacting business in the town. I will say, I am happy to be a resident,” he revealed.

Also, Aliyu Haruna, a trader and an indigene of Sokoto State, who said he was born in the state some 45 years ago, described it as the most peaceful in the country, and, however, commended the people of the state for their hospitality and religious tolerance.

Meanwhile, the present Governor of the State is Abdulfatah Ahmed, who is currently running his second-term in the office. The Senate president, Bukola Saraki is an indigene of Kwara state.