Adamawa State (also known as the Land of beauty) was created on 27th August 1991 alongside Taraba State from defunct Gongola State with Yola as it’s Capital. it is located in the North-East of Nigeria. It seats on a land area of 36, 917 square kilometers making it one the largest States in Nigeria placing it at 8th just behind Zamfara at 7th. It is bordered to the Northwest by Borno State, Gombe State to the West and Taraba State to the Southwest. It also shares International borders with Cameroon to the East. The State has 3 Senatorial Districts, 8 Federal Constituencies and 21 Local Government Areas as shown in the table below:
ADAMAWA STATE AT A GLANCE
POPULATION
The 2006 National Population census place Adamawa at 26th in Nigeria with a Population figure of 3,178,950 comprising 1, 561, 978 Females and 1, 606, 101 Males. It’s projected Population is placed at 4,902,100 as at 2021.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
It has tropical climate occasioned by two seasons: Dry season (October to April) and; Rainy season (May to September). The average annual rainfall is 79mm up North especially around Michika and Madagali areas. The average annual in the South especially, around Ganye and Toungo is 179mm. The Weather conditions comprises moderate to extremely cold Weather during the Harmattan accompanied by dusty winds from the Sahara (September to February) and extremely hot Weather (March to April). Average temperatures range from 15.2 o C in some regions during harmattan to 43 o C in others when the Weather is hot.
VEGETATION
There are two notable vegetation zones within the State: The Sub-sudan zone and; the Northern Guinea Savannah zone. The sub- sudan is marked by thick forest, tall trees and tall grasses commonly found in the southern part of the State especially in temperate areas of Banga plateau of Mayo-belwa Local Government Area and some villages of Ganye and Toungo Local Government Areas.
Cash crops grown by the people include cotton, cowpea, bambaranuts, tomatoes, onions, pepper, and sugarcane among others. Fruits produced in the State include pawpaw, guava, cashew, mango, banana and orange.
The soil condition in the State favour’s the cultivation of wide range of crops. The soils found in the State include LUVISOLS, CAMBISOLS and VERTISOLS among others.
Popular Solid Minerals
| Tantalite | Ganye, Mubi, Lamurde | Occurrences confirmed from activities of small-scale reserves not yet explored and quantified | Computer chips, Telecommunications ad chemical equipment, special steel for dental and surgical instruments, source of tantalum for niobium; ferro-tantalum alloys, electrodes, used in tools as tantalum carbide |
| Cassiterite (tinstone) | Ganye, Yola South, Mubi, Jada, Lamurde | Occurrences only known; reserves yet to be explored and quantified | Thin-and-tern plating, aluminum soldering, bearing metals, gun metals etc., Tin salts for dyeing, ceramics; fire proofing |
| Lead | Ganye, Yola South, Mubi North, Jada | - | Alloys-soldering, bronzes, pipes, sheets; chemicals for dyeing, printing; glass making, insecticides, medicals, friction metal, storage battery, guns |
| Magnesite | Gombi | Massively abundant | Catalyst in production of synthetic rubber and material in the preparation Magnesium chemicals and fertilizers |
| Gypsum | Guyuk, Numan, Lamurde, Yola South | Estimated reserves put at about 5mm tonnes | Medicalss (POP), paints, fertilizer, cement, chalk, pesticides |
| Barytes | Jada, Mubi, Tola, Ganfdu | Massive occurrences confirmed | Drilling mud, enameling iron for baths, chemicals for paints, fillers, used in paper, cloth, cosmetics, radiology and rubber industries |
| Limestone | Guyuk, Yola South, Numan, Fufore, Demsa | Reserves estimated at 72.9 mmt | Cement and fertilizer manufacture, road and building construction, chemical, food and metallurgical industries as flux for smelting metallic ores, lithography |
| Kaolin, China clay | Gombi, Mubi, Ganye | - | Pharmaceuticals, paints, fertilizer and petroleum industries (anti cakes); in rubber and paper industries; as detergents and pesticides, glass etc. |
Tourists Attraction
| Kiri Dam | Kiri Town, Shelleng LGA | Decent accommodation and breath-taking sceneries |
| Ruwan Zafi Spring | Lamurde LGA | Natural hot spring |
| Gumti Park | Toungo LGA | Wildlife and beautiful landscapes |
| Sassa Waterfalls | Sassa Village, Toungo LGA | Breath-taking waterfall and refreshing sceneries |
| Yadim Waterfalls | Yadim Village, Fufore LGA | Beautiful waterfalls and landscapes |
| Sella Negis Waterfalls | Yadim Village, Fufore LGA | Beautiful waterfalls and proximity to State capital |
| Makam Walls | Makam Village, Toungo LGA | Ancient architecture dating back to hundreds of years |
| Fombina Palace Museum | Lamido’s Palace, Yola South LGA | Houses artifacts of ancient Fombina Kingdom |
| Gorobi Rock Formations | Gorobi Village, Mayo Belwa LGA | Beautiful natural rock formations |
| Elephant House | Guyuk LGA | Ancient architecture of great significance to the Lunguda people |
| Hamayaji old Palace | Madagali LGA | Houses history of the villain King of the Marghi people |
| Sukur Kingdom | Sukur Village, Madagali LGA | UNESCO heritage site |
| Three Sisters Rock | Song LGA | Beautiful natural rock formation |
| Koma Hills | Koma Village, Jada LGA | Home to historic Koma People |
| Dzugumi | Pella Town, Hong LGA | Magnificent that will trill any daring hiker |
| Tapichima cold Water Spring | Pella Town, Hong | Natural cold spring water |
Major market Days in the State
| Day | Towns | Commodities Available |
|---|---|---|
| SUNDAY | Dong,Gereng, kiri/farang, Song, Kojoli, Michika, Shuwa, Muva, Kala’a, Gella. | Yam, Grains, Fish, (Smoked and fresh) Livestock, Potash, Hides & Skin, Potatoes, Sugarcane, etc. |
| MONDAY | Hong, Jada, Muchala, Ghumchi, Mayo-Bani, Gyawana, Chikila. | Yam, Grains, Groundnut, Cassava, Sorghum, Sugarcane, Mangoes, Beans, etc. |
| TEUSDAY | Borrong, Labondo, Bazza, Daksami, Garkida, Chigari. | Fish (Smoked and fresh) Pigs, Beans, Fruits, Cassava, Livestock, Grains, etc. |
| WEDNESDAY | Ngurore, Mubi, Konkol, Banjiram, Pella, Gulak, Loko, Mbullo. | Livestock, Hides and Skins, Yam, Maize, Beans, Irish Potatoes, Smoked fish, Potash, Fruits, Groundnuts etc. |
| THURSDAY | Jabbi-Lamba, Tingno, Fotta, Guyuk, Tola, Kirchingya, Jimeta, Wuro Bokki,Pakka, Uba, Mijilu, Belel, Garta. | Groundnut, Livestock, Grains, Fish, Potatoes,Yams etc. |
| FRIDAY | Yola, Mayo-Belwa, Dumne, Shelleng, Numan, Gombi, Tudunwada, Maiha, Mararaba-Mubi, Madagali, Mayo-Wandu, Lamurde, Gurin, Kareshi, Toungo. | Livestock, Fish (Smoked and fresh), Calabash, Sorghum,, Rice, Groundnuts, Cassava, Potatoes, Hides & Skins, Beans, Fruits, etc. |
| SATURDAY | Lafiya-Lamurde, Ganye, Girei, Farang, Uba, Betso,Vokuna. | Grains, Rice, Yam, Livestock, Sugarcane, Cassava, Fish(Smoked and fresh), Potatoes, |
Popular Festivals
| S/N | Festival | Locality | Ethnic Group | Month | Duration | LGA | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ZHITA | BAZZA | HIGGI | AUG-SEPT | 3 DAYS | MICHIKA | Initiation festival |
| 2. | YAWLE | KWABBAPALE | HIGGI | AUGUST | 3 DAYS | MICHIKA | Marking harvest season. |
| 3. | DUKWA | GULAK SHUWA PALAM & MILDU | MARGHI | JULY/AUG | 3 DAYS | MADAGALI | Initiation of young to adulthood among Medugu people |
| 4. | YAWAL | GULAK SHUWA PALAM & MILDU | MARGHI | JUNE/JULY | 3 DAYS | MADAGALI | Festival to offer sacrifice to Mambul (spirits of the dead) and circumcision period. |
| 5. | VUNON | FARAI | BWATIYE & MBULA | MAY | 3 DAYS | DEMSA | To mark the beginning of rainy season and offering of prayer to Nzeanzo the deity for good health and bumper harvest. The festival is marked with wrestling |
| 6. | MBA-PUR | DEMSA | MBULA | APRIL | 3 DAYS | DEMSA | Warrior festival commemorating the death of their heroes and assuring their Warlord of their preparedness in case of any external attack. |
| 7. | HONO | SONG/GIREI | YUNGUR | NOV/DEC | 1 DAY | SONG/ GIREI | Initiation festival to adulthood. |
| 8. | KWAYFA | GA’ANDA | GA’ANDA | AUG/SEPT. | 2 DAY | GOMBI | Harvest festival |
| 9. | KHOMBALTA | GA’ANDA/HADI | HONA FULANI | MAR/APRIL | 1 DAY | GOMBI | Thanksgiving and Initiation festival. |
| 10. | KLASHE SHATIN | CHAMBA AND MUMUYE | AUG/SEPT | 7 DAY | JADA | JADA | |
| 11. | POODEH | NASSARAWO | VERRE IN NASSARAWO | NOV/DEC | 2 DAY | FUFORE | Circumcision rites. |
| 12. | MBELE/RIVADU | RIBADU | BWATIYE | NOV/DEC | 1 DAY | FUFORE | Fishing festival |
| 13. | SIMALAMA | GUYUK | LUNGUDA | OCTOBER | 3 DAY | GUYUK | Celebration to mark the end of rainy season. |
| 14. | IMANDIRZA ZINNA | GYALLA | MUCHALA | NOV/DEC | 3 DAY | MUBI NORTH | Initiation festival |
| 15. | WANGIRWA | MUBI | GUDE | OCT/NOV | 1 DAY | MUBI SOUTH | Festival to commemorate bumper harvest. |
| 16. | MBA MBA | OLD VILLAGE MADAGALI | KILBA MARGHI | MAR/APRIL | 7 DAY | HONG MADAGALI | Initiation festival to adulthood. |
| 17. | TIWA | HONG | KILBA | MAR/APRIL | 120 DAY | HONG | Funeral festival associated with libation, incantation and sacrifice to ancestors, drumming, singing and dancing. |
| 18. | ALALILE | NZANYI | NZANYI | 1 DAY | MAIHA | Initiation rite of children to adulthood. | |
| 19. | PHUKI | KUDAKU AND GOROBI | YANDANG | SEPT | 1 DAY | M/BELWA | Harvest and thanksgiving festival. |
| 20. | MENJAULI | SHELLENG | KANAKURU | OCTOBER | 1 DAY | SHELLENG | Festival to mark the end of rainy season. |
| 21. | LAMUSHI | LIBBO | LIBBO | JULY | 1 DAY | SHELLENG | Initiation for males and females |
| 22. | VULMA | GELLA | GUDE | AUGUST | 2 DAYS | MUBI SOUTH | manhood showing different age group |
| 23. | DANBI | MIJULU | FALI | AUGUST | 1 DAY | MUBI | Festival to mark first initiation to manhood |
| 24. | JANDA/SUMANTA | GA’ANDA | GA’ANDA | JUNE | 2 DAYS | GOMBI | Preparation for farming |
| 25. | SHADI | GOMBI | FULANI | JUNE | 7 DAYS | YOLA | Engagement or showing manhood. |
| 26. | NJUWA | RUGANGE | BWATIYE | MARCH | 2 DAYS | YOLA | Annual fishing festival |
| 27. | NGPALAKIYIE/ SHARO | NJOBOLI | BWATIYE FULANI | MAY/JUNE | 14 DAYS | YOLA | Circumcision festival and initiation to adulthood. |
| 28. | SORRO | YOLA | FULANI | FEBRUARY | 1 DAY | YOLA | Festival to mark the manhood |
| 29. | REMNOL | NJOBOLI | FULANI | DECEMBER | 1 DAY | YOLA | Circumcision festival |
| 30. | KILISA | YOLA | FULANI | 1 DAY | YOLA | Festival of entertainment of important dignitaries visiting the emirate council. | |
| 31. | YINAGU | GULAK | MARGI | APRIL | 2 DAYS | MADAGALI | Fishing festival |
| 32. | MBA BENG | TAMBO | MBULA | OCT/DEC | GIREI | Harvest and thanksgiving | |
| 33. | ZOKU | SUKUR | SUKUR | DEC | 2 DAYS | MADAGALI | Festival to commensurate bumper harvest |
| 34. | JABBA | DEMSA | BILLE | DEC | 3 DAYS | DEMSA | Circumcision |
| 35. | NGRAH LAKIYE | FUFORE | BAGALE | JUNE | 3 DAYS | FUFORE | Circumcision |
| 36. | MBA-TAMBAL | BWAZZA | BARE | APRIL | 7 DAYS | DEMSA | Protection of land people |
| 37. | MBA-ZONHWO | BWAZZA | BARE | OCTOBER | 7 DAYS | DEMSA | Good harvest and protection of people. |
| 38. | HERE-YAWETTI | GOROBI | YANDANG | MAY | 1ST Saturday | M/BELWA | Reward the spirit of ancestors |
| 39. | DZAVA-DAFA | SUKUR/HILDI | SUKUR | APRIL/MAY | Appreciation to lead bumper harvest | ||
| 40. | WAGURWA | NZANYI | NZANYI | FEB/MAR | 3 DAYS | MAIHA | Initiation rite to adulthood |
| 41. | KADYAGA | NUMAN | BACHAMA | APRIL | 1 DAY | NUMAN | Manhood |
| 42. | WUROKAKAI | LAMURDE | BACHAMA | MARCH | 1 DAY | LAMURDE | Manhood |
| 43. | KWATTE | LAMURDE | BACHAMA | APRIL/MAY | 3 DAYS | LAMURDE | Marking land preparation. |
