Niger State is a state in North Western Nigeria and the largest state in the country. The state capital is Minna, and other major cities are Bida, Kontagora, and Suleja. It was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was bifurcated into Niger State and Sokoto State. The state is named for the River Niger. Two of Nigeria's major hydroelectric power stations, the Kainji Dam and the Shiroro Dam, are located in Niger State; also situated there is Kainji National Park, the largest National Park of Nigeria, which contains Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Zugurma Game Reserve.
GOVERNMENT
Like the majority of Nigerian states, it is governed by a Governor and a House of Assembly. Under the administration of Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu on 13 January 2007, the state has adopted sharia law as the code of law.
ADMINSTRATIVE SUBDIVISIONS
Niger State is divided into 25 Local Government Areas.
Agaie LGA
Agwara LGA
Bida LGA
Borgu LGA
Bosso LGA
Chanchaga LGA
Edati LGA
Gbako LGA
Gurara LGA
Katcha LGA
Kontagora LGA
Lapai LGA
Lavun LGA
Magama LGA
Mariga LGA
Mashegu LGA
Mokwa LGA
Munya LGA
Paikoro LGA
Rafi LGA
Rijau LGA
Shiroro LGA
Suleja LGA
Tafa LGA
Wushishi LGA
KAINJI DAM
The Kainji Dam is situated in the south of Niger State and generates power for most towns in Nigeria. It was built from 1964 to 1968 and cost about 209 million dollars, a quarter of which was used to delocate the original population. Together with a smaller dam for a minor stream, it is 10 km long and 65 m high in the middle. It has a capacity of 12 turbines producing a total of 960 MW, but only 8 were installed, producing 760 MW. Part of the production is sold to the neighbouring country of Niger.
GURARA FALLS
Geographically located in Niger State on the road between Suleja and Minna, the waterfalls span 200 meters across with a sheer drop of 30 meters. Gurara river is a large tributary of river Niger and it’s always in full spate during the rain seasons. Apparently in January the falls are a trickle and visitors can swim in clear pools at the bottom of the falls. Visitors can take a day trip to the gushing Gurara waterfalls – an hour drive out of the city of Abuja. At Gurara, small streams diverted from the main Gurara river running softly around rocks on top of the cliff, converging from scores tributaries in the narrow rugged pass and dashing out from the cliff with almighty power. Finally, the water, shining under the sun, as beautiful as fireworks, fall into a pond some 20 meters below before returning to tranquility. There are two main streams of waterfalls, but in the rainy season, the whole cliff would be covered with a curtain of waterfalls. To get close to the waterfalls, visitors need to make a daring walk. There is an ongoing plan to turn the waterfall area into a tourism resort and there were already investors showing interest in the project. Construction of a five-star hotel is also on the agenda. Apart from the spectacular view of the waterfall, Gurara is also a pretty good place for birdwatching.
KAINJI LAKE
Kainji Lake, in western Nigeria, is a reservoir on the Niger River, formed by the Kainji Dam. It was formed in 1968 and is a part of Niger State and Kebbi State. Kainji Lake National Park (KNLP), situated around the lake, is Nigeria's oldest National Park, established in 1976.
National Park
Kainji Lake National Park (KNLP) (headquarters Wawa) is situated 560 km north of Lagos, close to the border with the Republic of Benin. It comprises two sectors, Borgu Game Reserve and Zugurma Game Reserve, which are separated by Kainji Lake. The game reserves have abundant wildlife, including baboons, duikers, hippopotamuses, hyenas, kobs, roans, and warthogs. Only the Borgu (western) sector is currently used for tourism; the Zugurma (eastern) sector lacks infrastructure, including access roads. The topography of the park is gently undulating with a general decrease in elevation from west to east. The Borgu sector is drained mainly by the Oli, Timo and Doro rivers and their tributaries, while the Zugurma sector is drained by the Maingyara and Nuwa Tizururu rivers. The vegetation of the park is typical of the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, although in some areas it appears more Sahelian. Riparian forests occur on the banks of the larger watercourses.
Borgu Game Reserve
The Borgu Game Reserve is a section of the Kainji National Park, in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. It is bordered on the east by Kainji Lake and reaches almost to the border with Benin to the west, covering 397,002 hectares (981,010 acres).
Zugurma Game Reserve
The Zugurma Game Reserve is a section of the Kainji National Park, in the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. It is bordered by the Kontagora River to the northwest and the Manyara River to the north, and covers an area of 138,500 hectares. The reserve consists of a low plateau with gradually sloping sides forming an east to west watershed. It is poorly drained, with no tributaries running into the Manyara River, and with the Yampere and Lanser rivers running only seasonally. The vegetation is typically Guinea savanna woodland, but has been badly over-grazed except for riparian forests along the Manyara River and other water holes. The reserve has received virtually no research attention and it was amalgamated with the Borgu Game Reserve in 1975 to form the Kainji Lake National Park.
CONSERVATIVE ISSUES
Although the area around the park has a relatively low population density, numerous human activities adversely affect the park. These include deforestation, uncontrolled burning and illegal grazing and are particularly prevalent in the Zugurma sector. Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.
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