welcome to kontagora emirate
SHORT HISTORY OF KONTAORA
The history of Kontagora Emirate is inseparable from the life and times of Umaru Nagwamatse and his sons, Abubakar Modibbo and Ibrahim Nagwamatse in a combined period of a little over forty years (18581901).
Umaru Ngwamatse was believed to be a powerfuladministrator who decided to build his empire south of Sokoto when he could not realize his dream of becoming Sultan.
Kontagora got its name from Nagwamatse’s followers who were said to have remarked, “Mu Kwanta-goranan” which means “Let us lay down the gourd here “to fetch water from a river upon which the town was built.
Being a great Jihadist, Nagwamatse conquered many towns and Villages before building and founding Kontagora.The places he conquered were Bosso, Paiko, Kuta, Guni, Alawa and Gusoro. Others are Galadima Kogo, Kafinkoro and Wushishi.
After settling permanently at Kontagora, his wars of conquest continued among the Kambaris until he died at Mamba, a village in Auna District, which is said to be over 298 years old, His grave can still be seen today at the Village.
Nagwamatse was succeeded by his first son, Abubakar Modibbo who was appointed ruler of Wushishi, He reigned for four years and was succeeded by Mallam Ibrahim whose slave village was extended to villages around River Niger and Zuru areas.
It was during Ibrahim’s reign that the British conquered Kontagora in 1900.
He was, however driven away from Kontagora to Maska Kaya in Katsina and Zaria for two years. Thereafter, the British reinstated him (Mallam Ibrahim)in 1903 as Sarkin Sudan. He died in 1928 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Mallam Umaru Maidubuwho died in 1961.
Mallam Maidubu was succeeded by Mu’azu Ibrahim who died in 1974,after reigning for thirteen years. In July 1974,the present Emir, Alhaji Saidu Namaska was installed as the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora.
ABOUT KONTAGORA
CLIMATE
Kontagora emirate, just like any other area in themiddle belt zone, experiences hot and humid weather.The dry and heavy rainfall last for six or more months. Also the area’s soil and hydrology permit the cultivationof most of the staple crops produced in Niger State.
OCCUPATION
The people of Kontagora emirate are engaged mainlyin agriculture. This is more pronounced now withgovernment policies geared towards mass productionof agricultural products for agro-allied industries. Apart from the inhabitants of the area who engage inagriculture, a significant part of the population alsoengage in white-collar jobs.
RELIGION
The people of Kontagora emirate are predominantlyMuslims but adherents of other religions especiallyChristians practice their own faith freely.
EDUCATION
Kontagora is one of the emirates in Niger State with relative educational advantage. Apart from numerous primary schools, there are also functional post primary institutions in the area. The area also hosts a Federal College of Education F.C.E. in Kontagora town and School of Health Technology in Tungan Magajiya.
COMMUNICATION
Postal And Telephone services are available at the Kontagora Post Office while GSM operators have established their presence in the area.
TRANSPORTATION
Kontagora, the headquarters of the emirate is located on the Lagos-Kano high way and blessed with numerous intra-city transport facilities. Both private and commercial vehicles ply through the town to the North and South of the country. The town is usually considered as a stop-over point for refueling as well as feeding for passengers. Taxi cabs are also available in Kontagora as well as commercial motorcyclists.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
To provide enhanced health care delivery, a well equipped General Hospital is located in Kontagora town. Furthermore, a lot of private clinics and Hospitals abound in the area to complement the effort of government in providing health for all.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The people of Kontagora emirate and their socio-economic activities cannot be divorced from each other. This is for the fact that they are very enterprising and self-reliant. As a result of vast and fertile soil in the area, the people engage mainly in Agriculture. Kontagora is also rich in mineral resources all of which could be tapped for industrial purposes.