Sokoto State

1 ) HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Sokoto state derived its name from the Sokoto caliphate which has been the highest Islamic ruling throne in the northern region under the regional structure of the first republic in Nigeria, The caliphate cam to be based on the teaching of the Holy Quran, and Sunna founded the great Fulani SheuUsmanu Dan Fodiyo. Sokoto caliphate gained prominence after the holy war (Jihad) of SheuUsmanu Dan Fodiyo in 1804. The major towns of the Northem regions such as Katsina, Kano, Zaria, Hadeija, Bauchi, Kebbi, Gombe, Bida, Ilorin, etc came under its control. In all these noble towns, Sheu's most trusted disciples were installed as the ruling Emirs and Islamic flag bearers. In 1967, when the 12 states structure came into existence, Sokoto became the capital of the then North Western state, it was then sub divided into two, viz Niger and Sokoto states. In 1991, Kebbi state was carved out, and also in 1996 Zamfara state was also carved out Presently, the state has a total number of twenty-three local government areas.

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2 ) LOCATION

The state is located at the extreme North-Western Nigeria between latitudes 0 and 14 degrees north of the equator, 3 degrees and 9 east of the Greenwich
Meridian. The state shares its northern boundary with Niger Republic; Kebbi state the South-West and to the East and South-East by Zamfara state. The total mass of Sokoto before the creation of Zamfara state was about 56,000 (.quare kilometers with a population of 4.5million as at 1999 census.

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3 ) CLIMATE

The state like other states of Nigeria has distinctseasons such as the dry and rainy seasons. However, it is noteworthy that Sokoto state is located at the southern fringe of the Saharan desert which apparently enables the harmattan wind blow dust particles within the area and even beyond during the dry season between October and March. The temperature during the dry season is quite hot, unbearable and could be as high as 40 degree centigrade. The rainy season starts from around April to September, and during the period,rainfall is usually stormy and records about 500mm in the north and 1 ,300mm in the south.

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4 ) THE PEOPLE AND THE CULTURE

Sokoto state is predominantly inhabited by migrants from the North African border town of Gobir, notably the Fulani andHausaa. There are other groups resident in the state. These include the Yorubas, Igbos, Tivs, Idomas, Ebiras, as well as buzus from the neighboring Niger Republic. The life of an averge Sokoto indigene is to a very large extentconnected to the Islamic festival such as the EidFitrifestival. During each of the festivals, a spectacular mini-dubar is usually staged in front of the Sultan's palace. The people and indeed Nigeria hold the Sultan in very high esteem. The mode of dressing is the traditional flowing apparel the baban-riga. This can be embroiled and sewn from different materials depending on the prevalent weather and fashion.

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