Kebbi State has a very rich historical background both in relation to the Hausa State and the Sokoto Caliphate.
Being a leader comes with its share of responsibility and my passion from a very young age has always been improving the lives of women and children. The office of the first lady helps amplify the passion to help those in need.
Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), a coalition of the spouses of current and former state governors in Nigeria who are working to address gaps in the cancer continuum of care.
FLAC advocates for the adoption and full implementation of Universal Health Coverage by all levels of government in Nigeria as a critical pathway to accelerating access to quality healthcare services.
Kebbi State has a very rich historical background both in relation to the Hausa State and the Sokoto Caliphate. Both the emergence of Sokoto Caliphate, most of the area comprising Kebbi State was dominated by the powerful Kingdom of Kebbi carved out of the old Songhai Empire by the legendary warrior Muhammadu Kotal Kanta. Other areas are the Yauri Kingdom and the Zuru confederation.
Following, the Fulani jihad and the establishment of Sokoto Caliphate in the early part of 19 century, the area became the south-western part of the caliphate under the famous scholar and warrior, Sheik Abdullhi Danfodio, the brother of leader of the caliphate, Sheik Usmanu Danfodio. As a result of the colonial conquest of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1893, the area became part of the protectorate of northern Nigeria. After Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and following the state creation, the area was first, part of the North-western state (1967-1976), Sokoto state (1976-1991) and with Birnin Kebbi as the State, created on 27th August 1991 with Birnin Kebbi as the state capital. It currently has twenty-one local Government Areas.
Kebbi State with a total population of 3,238,628 as per 2006 National census comprises of 21 Local Government Areas and 4 Emirates Councils each under a first class Emir. They are Gwandu (with headquarters at Birnin Kebbi), Argungu, Yauri and Zuru. Emir of Gwandu is the Chairman of Kebbi State Council of Chiefs. Of the total population, however, males account for 1,617, 498 or 49.9% while the females are 1,621,130 or 50%.
The landscape of Kebbi State is dominated by extensive flood plains (Fadama) of the inland river valley systems. The Niger River flows southwest across part of the state and the Rima River flows southerly through the center of the state to join the Niger. Both rivers have broad flood plains. The flow of River Rima is, however, perennial which reaches its peak during the short wet season that last between June and September. The largest sources of surface water, however, is in Yauri and Ngaski Local Government Areas where the River Niger forms large body of water several square kilometers in size known as Kainji Lake; which is 80% located in Kebbi State.