Katsina

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.

Located some 160 mi east of the city of Sokoto and 84 mi northwest of Kano, close to the border with Niger Republic, in 2016, Katsina's estimated population was estimated at 429,000.

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 center for large scale poultry farming of cows, goats, sheep and chickens.

The city has a largely Muslim population, mainly from the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups.

Natives

 * Former president Umaru Yar'adua was a native of Katsina.
 * The incumbent Governor of Katsina State is Dikko Umaru Radda who was sworn in as the executive Governor of the State on 29 May 2023, succeeding Aminu Bello Masari.

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.

Local government areas
Katsina State has 34 local governments. The local governments area of Katsina is an area of 142 km2, with a population of 429,000 as of 2016. The local government are as follows: • #Batagarawa

• #Bindawa

• #Rimi

• #Charanchi

• #Bakori

• #Danja

• #Funtua

• #Jibiya

• #Batsari

• #Kankara

• #Kankia

• #Faskari

• #Malumfashi

• #Kafur

• #Kurfi

• #Matazu

• #Musawa

• #Dan-Musa

• #Safana

• #Dutsin-Ma

• #Dandume

• #Baure

• #Katsina

• #Mani

• #Kusada

• #Sabuwa

• #Mashi

• #Zango

• #Sandamu

• #Daura

• #Mai'Adua

• #Ingawa

• #Kaita

• #Dutsi

Source: Katsina culture and history board, office of the surveyor of Katsina State.

The postal code of the area is 820.

History
Surrounded by city wall 21 km 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 50 ft tower made from mud and palm branches.

Education in Katsina
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'adua, University 01.jpg 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 Stations

 * 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. With over 500,000 people, 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.

Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Katsina has a hot semi-arid climate, abbreviated BSh on climate maps.

Rainfall
Katsina State usually record zero average rainfall from November to March, 1 mm, 9 mm and 41 mm in April, May and June respectively, and 85 mm, 119 mm, 40 mm and 8 mm for the months of July, August, September and October.

The table below shows record of rainfall from 1990 to 2019 obtained from Nimet Katsina. Source: Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Katsina 2021.

Temperature
Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or place.

Maximum temperatures
The temperature of Katsina is usually high, with April having the hottest average high temperature of 40.8 °C while December having the mildest average high temperature of 31.4 °C.

The table below contains the highest temperature each month from 1985 to 2017. Source: Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Katsina, 2021

Lowest temperatures
January is usually the coldest month of the year in Katsina having the lowest average low temperatures of 14.7 °C. Source: Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Katsina 2021

Notable people

 * Late Umaru Musa Yar' adua,
 * Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman (Emir of Katsina),
 * Late Muhammadu Dikko (Former Emir OF Katsina),
 * Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Al-Fulani Al-Kishwani, 18th-century Islamic scholar.
 * Alhaji Dahiru Bara,u Mangal,
 * Alhaji Shehu Namaska,
 * Late Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu (MD Yusufu),
 * Late Alhaji Saidu Barda (Former Governor of Katsina),
 * Late Alhaji Shehu Musa Yaradua,
 * Late General Hassan Usman,
 * Alhaji Abbas Umar Masanawa
 * Muhammad ibn al-Sabbagh Dan Marina, 17th-century Islamic scholar.
 * Yusufu Bala Usman, historian.