| Capital: |
N/A |
|
| Area: |
8000
sq. km |
| Population: |
439,421
(1997 FOS est.) |
| Language: |
Hausa |
Location
The Federal
Capital Territory lies between latitudes 8o 25'N
and 9o 20'N and longitude 6o39'.
It is bordered to
the north by Kaduna State, to the east by
Nassarawa State, to the south-west by Kogi State
and to the west by Niger State.
History
The land of Abuja
was the southwestern part of the ancient kingdom
of Zazzau (Zaria). The name "Abuja"
was derived from Abu Ja, a brother to Muhammadu
Makau, the last hausa ruler of Zaria. Makau had
left Zaria after being defeated by the Fulani
and settled in the area now known as Abuja. In
1825 his brother Abu Ja succeeded him as the
62nd King of Zaria.
The full name of
Abu Ja was Abubakar (shortened to
"Abu") and the name Ja was given to
him because he was light in complexion ("Ja"
means red or fair in Hausa). Hence he became
known as "Abu-Ja", "Abu the fair
one" (other sources claim that the name
"Ja" was derived fron the last name of
his father which was "Jatau").
Abu Ja built a new capital for his Kingdom and
named it "Abuja" after himself.
In August 1975
the then Federal Military Government under Late
General Murtala Muhammed convened a panel of
experts,under the Chairmanship of the Honourable
Justice T.A. Aguda, to study and advise on the
desirability of retaining Lagos as the Federal
Capital of Nigeria.
The panel was
also empowered to recommend a suitable
alternative location should it determine that
the Federal Capital be moved from Lagos.
Abuja was not the
only place considered, several areas such as
Okene, Kafanchan, Markurdi, Ile, Auchi and Agege
were also suggested.
The panel's
recommendations for the setting up of the new
Federal Capital City, at Abuja (carved out of
three states Niger Plateau and Kogi (formerly
Kwara)), were accepted and the Federal
Government then promulgated Decree number 6
of 1976 which created the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Agriculture
Being centrally
located, Abuja is blessed with a mix of
agricultural produce such as tubers and root
crops of the south (yams, cassava, maize and
plantains) and grain (sorghum, guinea corn and
rice) of the north.
Mineral
Resources
The FCT has
proven deposits of a wide range of mineral
resources including marble, tin, mica, clay,
wolfromite, tantalite and talc.
People
The largest
indigenous group in Abuja are the Gbabyi (also
known as the Gwari). The next largest
indigineous group are the Koro. Smaller
indigineous groups also inhabit the area, such
as the Gade,Egbura, Gwandara, Bassa and the Gana
gana.
Local
Government Areas
The FCT is
divided into six area councils namely, Abuja
Municipal, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kuje, Bwari and
Kwali.
Contact
Abuja Chamber of
Commerce:
Block 12, Zone 3
PMB 86, Garki
Wuse District
Tel: 09-5230453
Abuja Investment and
Property Development Company Limited PMB
3302
Plot 770 Central Business District (Opp. the
National Mosque)
Tel: 09-5233352
Fax: 09-5233529
E-mail: asotect@skannet.com
