Lokoja
1669367
208507824
2008-04-27T12:01:48Z
Sardanaphalus
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[[Image:Locator Map Lokoja-Nigeria.png|thumb|250px|Location of Lokoja in Nigeria]]
'''Lokoja''' is the capital city of [[Kogi State]], in central [[Nigeria]], and is a port on [[Niger River]].<ref name=britannica>{{cite web | title = "Encyclopædia Britannica" | url = http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9048796 | accessdate = 2007-04-06}}</ref>
==History==
Founded by [[William Balfour Baikie]] according to european historical records although, there have been indigenous people living in the area for thousands of years, Lokoja was the capital of British [[Northern Nigeria Protectorate]] and remained a convenient administrative town for the British colonial government after the [[Amalgamation (politics)|amalgamation]] of Northern and [[Southern Nigeria Protectorate]]s into one nation called Nigeria in [[1914]].<ref name="world statesmen">{{cite web | url = http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria.htm#Northern%20Nigeria | title = "WorldStatesmen.org" | accessdate = 2007-04-06}}</ref>
The first [[Governor General]] Lord [[Frederick Lugard]] ruled the new nation of Nigeria from Lokoja town. The city has since grown to an estimated 63,075 inhabitants,<ref name="world gazetteer">{{cite web | url = http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?men=gpro&des=gamelan&geo=352134674 | title = "The World Gazeteer" | accessdate = 2007-04-06}}</ref> and it is a centre of trade of its agricultural region because it sits at the confluence of the [[Niger River|Niger]] and [[Benue River|Benue]] rivers.<ref name=britannica/> Lokoja is also close to the new Federal capital of [[Abuja]]. Near Lokoja (in [[Ajaokuta]]) are [[metallurgy]] facilities and [[iron ore]] mines.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{coor title dm|7|49|N|6|45|E|region:NG_type:city(63075)}}
{{LGAs and communities of Kogi State}}
{{Niger River}}
[[Category:Nigerian state capitals]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Kogi State]]
{{Nigeria-geo-stub}}
[[de:Lokoja]]
[[pl:Lokoja]]
[[ro:Lokoja]]
[[ru:Локоджа]]
[[sv:Lokoja]]