welcome tO LAPAI emirate
SHORT HISTORY OF LAPAI
Lapai emirate is bounded in the North-East by Paiko and Gurara local government areas, on the West, by Agaie local government and in the South by the boundaries of the Federal Capital, Abuja and Kogi State. Besides Nupe which is the major tribe, there are other tribes and sub tribes as the Bata and Dibo, Ganagana and Gupa, Bassange, Gwari and Bira Kakanda etc. Tribes from other states like the Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo also co-exist in the emirate. Lapai emirate came into existence at about 1822 as a
war camp from where Daudu Maza, its founder wages Jihad on the neighbouring settlements. According to chronology, the name Lapai originates from the word PAI which in Owari means a settlement on a hill top. When Daudu Maza separated himself from his mentor and associate, Mallam Babba of Agaie, he settled at this hilly environment because of its strategic position. It was Daudu Maza, while constructing his palace that said in Sha Allahu, if I am able to construct this building, I will become the King of Lapai.
ABOUT LAPAI
CLIMATE
The favourable climate condition of Lapai emirate, coupled with its vast gentle sloped environment, made it possible for people to settle. The area experiences wet and dry seasons characteristic of a tropical climate.The rainy season starts from April/May to October with heavy rainfall from July to September. The mean annual rainfall varies between 1,300 to 1,600mm. The cold and dry harmattan winds usher in the dry season between November and February which gradually becomes hot between March and May.
OCCUPATION
Lapai emirate has a vast fertile land and farming is the main occupation of the people. They cultivate the land all the year round. During the rainy season, there is large scale farming where by the people produce variety of agricultural products. During the dry season, farming.activities are carried out around River Etswam through irrigation system. Products such as tomatoes, onions, pepper, garden eggs and lentil are cultivated. Although about 80% of the population engages in farming, about 20% also engaged in other vocations such as white-collar jobs, business, crafts and arts etc.
RELIGION
The inhabitants of Lapai emirate are predominantly Muslims. There are however few Christians who are settlers.
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
Lapai town has now a modern post office. All parts of the emirate have now GSM telephoning services.
TRANSPORTATION
Lapai is opportuned to be on the high way between Lagos and the new Federal Capital Abuja. Because of this, transport to every part of the country is available in the town. There are also taxi plying the town and other major towns in the state as well as Minna,the state capital
MEDICAL FACILITIES
The state government has provided Lapai with a General Hospital equipped with medical personnel and equipment. There are also health centers, maternity and child welfare centers, leprosy clinic, basic health clinics and dispensaries spread all over the town. Some are owned by the Local Government while others are run by private medical practioners.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Socio-economic activities are being conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. The people are by nature themselves self-reliant and enterprising. Fertile land is the town’s cherished asset but investment opportunities are available. For example, Lapai has large deposits of limestone which could be easily tapped for industrial purposes, so also are copper, iron, feldspar and lead. Its proximity to Abuja and Minna and easy accessibility to most parts of the country gives it the dual advantage for the setting up of industries such as soya beans plant, cosmetic and sugar production raw materials. Basic infrastructure for the establishment of small scale and medium enterprises have already been put-in place i.e electricity, water and roads. Presently, existing in the town are banking and insurance facilities as well as telecommunication to link people and business with the outside world.