Ikara is a town in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, located around 75 kilometres north-east away from the city of Zaria. Ikara as a district consist of five towns which are Ikara, tudun - wada, Nasarawa, Sabon - Gari, Jamfalan, Kurmin - Kogi, Hayin -Bawa, Pala and Saya - Saya. respectively.[1] The Local Government council is chaired by Sadiq Ibrahim Salihu.[2]

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Ikara [NG.KD.IK]
LGA and town
Ikara
Coordinates: 11°11′N 8°14′E
Country	Nigeria
State	Kaduna State
Government
• Chairman	Sadiq Ibrahim Salihu
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)

Tribes

The main tribes of the people of the area are Hausa and Fulani.[3] Their religions are Islam and Christianity. Their main occupation is farming. They produce Maize, Guinea corn, Beans, Soya beans, Rice, Cassava, Tomatoes, Sugar cane, and many other crop products.[1]

History

The evolution of human settlement in Ikara was greatly influence by environmental, economic and social considerations. the evolution was dated back as far as 1808 when the Jukun people inhabited the town of Ikara. the were immigrants who fled attack of the Muslims scholars from Kano for their refusal to accept Islam. They settled under the Ikara Mountain (Duts Lungi) for a brief period of time than later come settle in a plain area near the mountain.[4] The Jukunawa people were believed to be the founders of Ikara town and name it "Ikara" which mean s word in jukun lets hide here or a hiding place.[5] The Local Government was created in 1976 from the defunct Zaria Province.

Administrative Structure

This Local Government consists of two districts namely:

• Ikara district
• Paki district

It has six (6) departments, which are as follows:

• Personnel Department
• Finance & Supply Department
• Works Department
• Agricultural Department
• Health Department
• Education Department

Agriculture

This Local Government depends mainly on farming and cattle reading. Ikara has a strong division of labour according to age and sex. Many men have more one occupations such as farmers and traders. The women of Ikare get money through processing of foods and selling food items at home or market places.[6][7]

Commerce

The commercials activities in the local Government consist of farm products. Below is the list of their main markets.

• Ikara central market/market stalls
• Ikara Tomatoes
• Paki Markets.
• Auchan Markets.

Education

There are thirteen Secondary Schools in this Local Government namely[8]:-

• Government science secondary school, Ikara
• Government Girls Secondary School Ikara
• Government Secondary School, Ikara
• Government Vocational Training School, Ikara
• Government Secondary School, Pala
• Government Secondary School, Auchan
• Government Secondary School, Paki
• Government Secondary School Janfala
• Government Secondary School, Malikanchi
• Government Secondary School, Danlawal
• Government Secondary School, Rumi
• Ikara Comprehensive Academy (Private)
• Raising Star Academy Ikara

(Private)

Ikara Comprehensive Academy (ICA) is a popular private secondary school operating in Ikara town, the school is rated high in terms of provision of qualitative education.

Financial Institutions

There is a bank at Ikara and Lead way Assurance is the other financial institution in Ikara LGA Financial Resources

• Unity Bank Ikara Branch
• Bank of Agriculture (BOA)
• National Bank of Nigeria
• Federal Statutory allocation which is received on a monthly basis.
• Internally generated revenues from markets, taxable adults and motor parks.

Government Agencies

• Rural Electrification Board (REB)
• NIPOST
• NPC
• NITEL
• Water Board

Geographical Features

There is no distinct geographical features in the LGA The LGA has borders with Makarfi Local Government in the west, Soba in the south, Tudun Wada in Kano State in the North. Kubau by the South

Headquarter

Ikara, Which is a major town is the headquarters

Health Facilities

There are five comprehensive health centers and forty four Health Clinics located in the following Area .

• General Hospital, Ikara
• Comprehensive Health Centre, Paki
• Comprehensive Health Centre Auchan

There are Health Clinics under Ikara LGs with four Health Centers located in Ikara itself.

Industries

Ikara food Processing Company (Tomato)

Judiciary

The Local Government has three courts at the headquarters, Ikara, namely:

• Magistrate court
• Upper Sharia court
• Sharia court
• Customary Court

Mineral Resources

• Precious stone
• Limestone deposits.

People

Hausas/Fulani

Population

194,723 people (2006 census)

Postal Address

P.M.B 1101, Ikara

Religion

Islam is the dominant religion.

Recreational Facilities

The numerous schools and tertiary institutions provide play grounds for sports and recreational activities in L.G.A.

Road Network

Road Construction received attention during the period of Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.

Roads are enumerated below:

• Ikara –Tashan Yari Road
• Ikara –Panbeguwa Road
• Anchau –Kudaru Road
• Paki Kwanan Dangora Road
• Anchau- Banki- Wagaho Road
• Ikara –Tudun Wada of Kano State Road
• Kurmin Kogi-Yan Marmara Road
• Ikara –Zaria Road
• Ikara –Furana-Dan Lawal

Tertiary Institution

There are two of them namely

• School of Health Technology, Pambeguwa (moved to Kubau)
• Co-operative Institute Ikara

Traditional Rulers

The following areas are administered by Districts Heads. Are:

• Ikara District
• Kurmin Kogi
• Paki District
• JanFalan
• Pala District

Tourists Attractions

The LGA is inundated with some rocks and Kogi waterfalls.

Towns and Villages

Ikara, Malikachi, Furana, Danlawan, Kurmin Kogi, Janfalan, Auchan, Paki, Pala,Saulawa, Rumi, Saya-saya, Kuya

Water

The Ikara water dam

Politicians

• Hon. Sani Ahmed Ikara
• Hon. Abdullahi Adamu
• Hon. Tsoho Abubakar
• Hon. Halliru Sambo
• Hon. Tijjani Sani Paki
• Hon. Gambo Lawal Auchan
• Hon. Yusuf Bature Aliyu Auchan
• Hon. Magaji Mudi Ikara
• Hon. Alhassan Muhammad Datti
• Hon. Yusuf Bala Ikara
• Hon. Muhammad Dayyabu Paki
• Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim Salihu

Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim Salihu is the current serving Chairman of Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

References