Katsina, Nigeria

🇳🇬 Katsina, likely from "Tamashek" (meaning son or blood) or mazza (men) with "inna" (mother) is a Local Government Area and the capital city of Katsina State, in northern Nigeria. Katsina is located some 260 km (160 mi) east of the city of Sokoto and 135 km (84 mi) north-west of Kano, close to the border with Niger Republic.

The city is the centre of an agricultural region production of groundnuts, cotton, hides, millet and guinea corn and also has mills for producing peanut oil and steel, it was also a centre for large scale poultry farming of cows, goats, sheep and chickens. The city has a largely Muslim population mainly from the Hausa and Fulani ethnics group.

Katsina Emirate The Katsina Royal Palace known as Gidan Korau is a huge complex located in the centre of the ancient city. It is a symbol of culture, history and traditions of 'Katsinawa'. According to historical account, it was built in 1348 CE by Muhammadu Korau, who is believed to have been the first Muslim King of Katsina. This explains why it is traditionally known as 'Gidan Korau' (House of Korau). It is one of the oldest and among the first generation palaces, along with Daura, Kano and Zazzau. The palace was encircled with a rampart, 'Ganuwar Gidan Sarki' (which is now gone). The main gate which leads to the palace is known as 'Kofar Soro', while the gate at the backyard is called 'Kofar Bai' (now gone). The Emir's residential quarters at the epicenter of the Palace is a large compound built in the typical traditional architectural style. The current Emir of Katsina is Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, a Fulani legacy.

Local government areas Katsina State has 34 local governments. The local governments area of Katsina is an area of 142 km². The local governments are as follows: 1 Batagarawa; 2 Bindawa; 3 Rimi; 4 Charanchi; 5 Bakori; 6 Danja; 7 Funtua; 8 Jibiya; 9 Batsari; 10 Kankara; 11 Kankia; 12 Faskari; 13 Malumfashi; 14 Kafur; 15 Kurfi; 16 Matazu; 17 Musawa; 18 Dan-Musa; 19 Safana; 20 Dutsin-Ma; 21 Dandume; 22 Baure; 23 Katsina; 24 Mani; 25 Kusada; 26 Sabuwa; 27 Mashi; 28 Zango; 29 Sandamu; 30 Daura; 31 Mai'Adua; 32 Ingawa; 33 Kaita; 34 Dutsi.

History Surrounded by city wall 21 km (13 mi) in length, Katsina is believed to have been founded circa 1100. In pre-Islamic times, Katsina's semi-divine ruler was known as the Sarki, who faced a summary death-sentence if found to be ruling incompetently. From the 17th to the 18th century, Katsina was the commercial heart of Hausaland and became the largest of the seven Hausa city-states. Katsina was conquered by the Fulani during the Fulani War in 1807. In 1903, the Emir, Abubakar dan Ibrahim, accepted British rule, which continued until Nigerian independence from Britain in 1960.

The city's history of western-style education dates back to the early 1950s, when the first middle school in northern Nigeria was established (Katsina Teachers College). There are now several institutions of higher learning, including two universities: Umaru Musa Yar'adua University and the private Alqalam University, a polytechnic Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic and a Federal College of Education, Katsina. The city of Katsina is also home to an 18th-century mosque featuring the Gobarau Minaret, a 15-metre (50 ft) tower made from mud and palm branches.

Education Katsina city is well known for years as a CRADLE OF LEARNING, there have been in existence Islamic Schools and other centres of scholarship as far back 14th century, below are the names of high institution found in the city. • Umaru musa yar'aduwa university • Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina (UMYU) • Alqalam University, Katsina (former Islamic University Katsina) • Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic • Federal College of Education, Katsina • Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management (KTSITM) • National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) • Cherish Enterprises Institute • Katsina Community College of Education. • Danfodio College of Arabic and Islamic studies.

Media 104.5 – Radio Nigeria Companion FM (FRCN), Katsina; Katsina 972 MW – Katsina State Radio (AM), Katsina; 92.1 – Vision FM Katsina; 106.5 – Ray Power FM; 91.5 - Alfijir FM Radio Katsina.

Geography The capital of Katsina Emirate, Katsina, is situated 7 miles south of the Niger border in northern Nigeria. Katsina is a major hub for the manufacturing of steel, textiles, and agricultural products. The city is home to a diversified cultural life as well as intriguing architecture, like as mosques and historic city walls.

Desertification Desertification, caused by climate change and human activities, poses a significant environmental challenge in Katsina State, affecting socio-economic life and hindering basic human needs.

Flood Water went away in Katsina City during a flood, causing two people to be swept away from their homes in the nearby town of Sabon Ungwa.