Sights and Sounds- A Historical Review of Gombe, Nigeria

Boarded to four out of the six regional political zone by five different states, Gombe state is a state in Northeastern Nigeria. These states are Borno and Yola to the North and NorthEast, Bauchi State to the West, Taraba State to the South, and Adamawa State to the SouthEast. Gombe State is the state's capital and largest city. It was founded on October 1st 1996 from a part of Bauchi State during the regime of the late General Sanni Abacha. The climate of the state is warm not exceeding 30°C during hot months. It's hot months ranges from March to May with a monthly average rainfall of 850mm.

Topographically, the state is within the tropical West Sudanian Savannah eco-region, and it has some important geographic features which include the Gongola River which flows through Gombe's North and East into Lake Dadin Kowa, and part of the Muri Mountains; a small range in the state's remote south. Gombe state comprises of 11 Local Government Area which are Nada, Gombe, Biliru, Yamaltu-Deba, Kwami, Kaltungo, Akko, Balanfa, Dukku, Funnakaye, and Shongom Local Government Areas.

Ethnically, it's inhabited by diverse ethnic groups of which the Fulanis seems the primary inhabitant of the north and centre of the state along with the Bolewa, Kanuri, Lugunda, Dadiya, Jukin, Babunka, Per or Shonge, Tera, Tangale, Kumo, Tula, Cham, and Hausa people.

Religiously, Gombe state's population which is 2,353,879 as at 2016 are more of Muslims with a 75%, Christians are 20%, while traditionalist are 5%, respectively. The Muslims are the majority, while the rest are the minorities.

Politically, Muhammad Inuwa Yahayah, an APC candidate elected on March 2019 is the current governor. At the local level, they have 14 Emirates also called Chiefdoms.

Economically, Gombe state is a state based on agriculture. Food crops like sorghum, groundnuts, tomatoes, millets, and yam crops form the basis of their farming. They also engage in livestock farming like sheep, goats, camels, and cattles. In its economical status, Gombe State has the fourth lower Human Development Index and second lowest Gross Domestic Product in the country. Their main investment opportunities are Agribusiness, Light Manufacturing, Healthcare, energy, Mining, and Tourism. Speaking of Tourism, the state has lots of sights that are tourism worthy. Some of these sights are: The Tula Plateau, The Bulok Warm Spring, Dadin Kowa Dam, The Kalam Hill, and The Bace Hills, The Tomb of Sultan Atta among others. The state produces some solid minerals like Uranium, Gypsum, Clay, Limestone, Quartz, Magnetite, Trona, Potash, Feldspar,  Granite, Chips, Flutters Earth, Diatomite, Ore, Kaolin, Silica Sand, Mica, and Iron.

Culturally, the state holds some festivals, and the Kamo Cultural festival is one of them. It is a festival of togetherness celebrated by Kamo and Awake ethnic group by Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State, yearly. It is being celebrated in April to unite the people of double ethnic grouping. It is a lively festival that people normally participate it, and it is unusual not to, as anyone who doesn't participate in the festival is being considered as a sadist. Other festivals are the Pissi Tangle festival, Chugothe festival, Kaltungo festival, Kuram festival, Yeka festival, Bushari festival, Yiliru festival, and Ilar-Zhare festival. 

Gombe State's Slogan is Jewel of Savannah, as the eco-region of the state is within the tropical West Sudanian Savannah.

Welcome to the Jewel of Savannah✌