Kwara (Yoruba: Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà) is a state in Western Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin(Ilu ti won ti Lo irin meaning a city where iron is made) . Kwara is located within the North Central geopolitical zone, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. The primary ethnic group is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani minorities.

Kwara State Nickname(s): State of Harmony
Location of the State of Kwara in Nigeria
Location of the State of Kwara in Nigeria
Coordinates: 8°30′N 5°00′E
Country: Nigeria
Geopolitical Zone: North Central
Date created: 27 May 1967
Capital: Ilorin
Number of LGAs: 16

Government
• Governor : Abdulfatah Ahmed (PDP)
• Deputy Governor: Peter Sara Kisira

• Senators: Bukola Saraki, Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, Rafiu Ibrahim

• Legislature: Kwara State House of Assembly

Area
• Total: 36,825 km2 (14,218 sq mi)
Area rank: 9th of 36

Population (2006 census)
• Total : 2,365,353[1]
• Rank : 30th of 36

GDP
• Year
2007
• Total: $3.84 billion
• Per capita : $1,910

Time zone
UTC+01 (WAT)
ISO 3166 code
NG-KW
HDI (2016) : 0.511[3] · 14th of 36
Website: kwarastate.gov.ng

History

Kwara State was created on 27 May 1967, when the Federal Military Government of General Yakubu Gowon broke the four regions that then constituted the Federation of Nigeria into 12 states. At its creation, the state was made up of the former Ilorin and Kabba provinces of the then Northern Region and was initially named the West Central State but later changed to "Kwara", a local name for the River Niger.

Kwara State has since 1976 reduced considerably in size as a result of further state creation exercises in Nigeria. On 13 February 1976, the Idah/Dekina part of the state was carved out and merged with a part of the then Benue/Plateau State to form Benue State.

On 27 August 1991, five local government areas, namely Oyi, Yagba, Okene, Okehi and Kogi were also excised to form part of the new Kogi State, while a sixth, Borgu Local Government Area, was merged with Niger State.

Kwara state has numerous mineral resources such as tamaline, tantalite, and lots of mineral deposit in the northern part Ndeji and Lema Community. Cocoa and Kolanut in the Southern parts Oke - Ero, Ekiti and Isin LGA

Population

As of 2006, the population of Kwarans was 2.37 million based on the Nigeria 2006 Census.This population size constitutes about 1.69% of the Nation's total population having relied upon immigration for population growth and socioeconomic development.

Residents of the state are sometimes referred to as Kwarans.

Local Government Areas

Kwara State consists of sixteen Local Government Areas. They are:

Asa
Baruten
Edu
Ekiti
Ifelodun
Ilorin East
Ilorin South
Ilorin West
Irepodun
Isin
Kaiama
Moro
Offa
Oke Ero
Oyun
Pategi
Tourism


Drummers in Ijomu Oro village, Kwara State.
Important tourist attractions in Kwara State include Esie Museum, Owu waterfalls, Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Kainji Lake National Parks and Agbonna Hill Awon Mass Wedding in Shao. There is also Sobi Hill amongst others which is the largest landform in Ilorin, the state capital.

Transport

The Nigerian Railway Corporation extends services from Lagos through the state to the northern part of the country. The Ilorin Airport is a major center for both domestic and international flights and has now been built up into a hub for transportation of cargoes.

Economy

Agriculture is the main source of the economy and the principal cash crops are: cotton, cocoa, coffee, Kolanut, tobacco, beniseed and palm produce.

Mineral resources in the state are Gold, limestone, marble, feldspar, clay, kaolin, quartz and granite rocks.

Industry
Industries in the state include Dangote Flour Mill, Lubcon Lubricant Company, Kam Industries Nigeria Ltd, Tuyil Pharmacy Nig Ltd, Padson Industries NiG Ltd,[7] Kwara Breweries, Ijagbo Global Soap and Detergent Industry, United Match Company, Tate and Lyle Company, Resinoplast Plastic Industry, Phamatech Nigeria Limited, Kwara Textile and Kwara Furniture Company all in Ilorin. Others are Paper Manufacturing Industry, Jebba, Okin Foam and Okin Biscuits, Offa, Kay Plastic, Ganmo and Kwara Paper Converters Limited, Erin-ile. Others are Sugar Producing Company, Bacita, Kwara animal Feed Mall, Ilorin and the Agricultural Products Company.

Education

Kwara has a federal university, the University of Ilorin, a state university, Kwara State University, two polytechnics, Kwara State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic Offa, three colleges: the college of education, Ilorin, school of Health technology, Offa and college of Nursing, Ilorin. It is also home to three Private universities; Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Crown Hill University, Eiye N'korin, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Summit University, Offa. There is also a navy school and aviation college.

Schools include Emmanuel Baptist College in Ilorin.

Sports

Sporting activities are managed by the State Sports Council. The importance attached to sports led to the construction of a stadium complex. The facilities available at the stadium complex are mainbowl, indoor sports hall, hostel, recreational press center as well as an Olympic size swimming pool. The state is actively represented both in football and basketball. The state is the home to the Kwara United Football Club and Kwara Falcons Basketball Club

Notable people from Kwara State
Ayodele Babalola (CAC Founder)
Abubakar Olusola Saraki, politician
Abdulfatah Ahmed, banker and politician
Adamu Atta, politician
Sarah Alade,Former CBN governor
Adebayo Salami, actor and producer
Ahmed Mohammed Inuwa, politician
Bukola Saraki, politician
Bola Shagaya, Oil Magnate
Cornelius Adebayo, politician
David Bamigboye, soldier
David Oyedepo, cleric
Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, politician
Ibrahim Gambari, diplomat
Joseph Ayo Babalola, cleric
Kemi Adesoye, screenwriter
Kunle Afolayan, actor and film director
Lágbájá, musician
Lai Mohammed, lawyer and politician
Mustapha Akanbi, lawyer
Mohammed Lawal, naval officer
Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, politician
Rashidi Yekini, soccer player
Salaudeen Latinwo, soldier
Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore, former Chief Justice
Simon Ajibola, politician
Theophilus Bamigboye, soldier and politician
Tunde Adebimpe, musician
Tunde Idiagbon, soldier
Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, musician
Ola Ibrahim, naval officer


Source: Wikipedia

You and Wikipedia tried.

But, you and Wikipedia forgot to add the part where the SARAKI'S looted and drained kwara for many years,like a sachet of 'pure water' being drank by a thirsty bricklayer during the hot weather.!

Get next to yourself my brother