Ikara

Ikara is a town and local government area (LGA) in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, located around (85km) north-east from the city of Zaria. Ikara as an LGA consists of these towns its located between 10°2¹ to 11°5¹ north and villages: Ikara, Malikachi, Furana, Danlawan, Kurmin Kogi, Janfalan, Auchan, Paki, and Pala.

The Local Government council is chaired by Sadiq Ibrahim Salihu.

Tribes
The main tribes of the people of the area are Hausa and Fulani. 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.

History
The evolution of human settlement in Ikara was greatly influence by environmental, economic and social considerations. The evolution dates back as far as 1808 when the Jukun people inhabited the town of Ikara. They were immigrants who fled attack of the Muslims scholars from Kano for their refusal to accept Islam. They settled under the Ikara Mountain (Dutse Lungu) for a brief period of time they later came settle in a plain area near the mountain. The Jukun people were believed to be the founders of Ikara town and name it "Ikara" which means "lets hide here" or "a hiding place" in the Jukun language.

The Maguzawa are people who were originally pagans or who may converted to christianity later in the 20century. The maguzawa were originally Hausa speaking people mostly found in area around katsina, kano and northern zaria.

They were termed “maguzawa” by the Hausa people and Fulani muslim after the jihad because they did not accept the islam religion but retain to tradition pagan worship. However most of these people so-called maguzawa have been converted to Christians and such cannot be termed maguzawa in real islamic sense of word; in spite of this, the name persisted

The fulani were said to have come and settle in the area mainly for ecological reasons. The Fulani who were mainly Bororuji(wanderers) came to ikara because the town was suitable for cattle grazing and probably sought to escaped the payment of jangali(tax) to the rulers of their various area, with large family unit. However, according to oral tradition, in spite of all these settlements, ikara could not be regarded as town as there were was no definite ruler over the town until 1879, when magaji Abubakar, a man who hailed from kura, a town in kano state. He organised the settlements into a town and he became the first villarge head in 1897. He was turbaned by shehu kwasau, sarkin zazzau (Emir of zazzau) as the village head with title “Dagachin ikara ”

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.

Climate
The wet season is oppressive and overcast, with temperatures ranging from 53°F to 97°F. The temperature varies throughout the year, though mostly during the dry season.

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: - (Private) Government Secondary School Ikara is a popular secondary school operating in Ikara town, the school is rated high in terms of provision of qualitative education.
 * 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 Jamfalan
 * Government Secondary School, Malikanchi
 * Government Secondary School, Danlawal
 * Government Secondary School, Rumi
 * Ikara Comprehensive Academy (Private)
 * Raising Star Academy Ikara
 * Emmanuel Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, Gidan Tanko Jamfalan (Private).

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 seven Health Clinics located in the following Area. There are Health Clinics under Ikara LGs with four Health Centers located in Ikara itself.
 * General Hospital, Ikara
 * Comprehensive Health Centre, Paki
 * Comprehensive Health Centre Auchan

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
 * Ishaya Audu

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