Plateau and traverse the entire length of the town from north to south, occupying the eastern part and standing at a height of about 1,200m. The highest point Is called ‘Akatan’. The rocks are mainly younger granites which contain deposits of gem stones such as topaz, aquamarine, sapphire etc. to the west of the rugged, hilly landscape lay vast open field of plains and rolling topography dissected by the numerous streams cascading the hill. The hills are a major watershed and the source of many rivers including Chen Liyak which is a tributary to river Wonderful which in turn empties its waters into the Kaduna River.
SOILS The soils In Kagoro vary from the ferule volcanic soils at the foot of the hills to the laterltlc soils In the north-west, the loamy soils of the west and the hydromorphic (fadama) soils of the southwest which are good for the cultivation of rice and sugar cane. VEGETATION The luxuriant tropical rainforest is found at the southern tip and entire stretch of the foot of the hill . The trees have tall trunks whose tops end in canopies of foliage, with very little undergrowth. Tree species include Iroko, ebeche; mahogany, etc. away from the hills are guinea savannah trees such as Shea-butter, Isoberllna, palm trees.
Grasses are tall during the rainy season but dry up and turn brown with the cessation of the rains. Most of the natural vegetation has been cleared and replaced with economic trees such as mango, oranges and plantations. Gallery forests are found along river valleys. CLIMATE Kagoro enjoys more favorable climatic conditions compared to other areas on the same latitude due to Its relief. Low mean monthly temperatures (about 200 C or less) are being recorded In January. There Is a gradual rise In temperature reaching a peak (about 280 C) in April.
The town equally records higher rainfall than its surroundings. Between 1500-2000mm is being recorded, similar to the amount recorded for Ibadan. The type of rainfall is orographic rainfall. The rainfall is determined by the migratory movement of the Inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the two major air masses in West Africa – the northeast trade winds and the bring rain, from April to October, reaching a climax in July. TRANSPORTATION The railway station in Kagoro was established in 1927. Passengers can board a train to any part of the country from the station.
There is also a trunk A road nearly parallel to the railway line from Kafanchan to Kaduna and another leading to Jos and Keffi in Nassarawa State. This road was constructed in the 1970s. There is also a well- laid out network of roads that are motorable all-year-round, though not asphalted. As is the common practice in most rural settings in Nigeria, the okada constitute the major mode of transportation in the town. ECONOMY/ OCCUPATION Agriculture is the main stay of the economy as more than 60% of the population is practicing farming. The Kagoro market is the largest in Kaura Local Government and is observed every Saturday.
Most of the stocks traded are agro-products which include food stuff, fruits, and livestock and manufactured goods such as textile roducts, bicycle and motorcycle spare parts, and other merchandise. There are handicrafts and artisans. There is a large number of blacksmiths to service the equally huge number of farmers. Welding, weaving pottery and carpentry are other economic ventures practiced by the highly industrious Kagoro people. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Considering its size and status, Kagoro can be said to be second only to Zaria in the state in terms of the presence of educational institutions.
Apart from the numerous Primary schools, there are two of the most popular secondary schools in the country- Government College (formally G. S. S) Kagoro and the former Kagoro Teachers College (now G. S. S) and several others. There is also the Business Apprenriceship Trainning Centre (B. A. T. C. ), ECWA School of Health Technology and the ECWA Theological Seminary, which is a degree-awarding institution. ADMINISTRATION Kagoro is made up of 6 political wards namely: Agban, Fada,Kadarko, Kpak, Kukum and Mallagum.
It is also divided into 11 districts which include: Agban, Fada, Fadan- DaJi,GaraJe, Kadarko, Kpak, Kukum-DaJi, Kukum-Gida,Mallagum, Tafan and Tum. The wards are represented at the Local Government by Councilors while the districts are eaded by District Heads. At the apex of this set-up is the paramount ruler of the land, referred to as the Agwam Agworok (the Chief of Kagoro). This is currently being occupied by His Royal Highness, Mr. UFIJWAI BONET who was enthroned on the 19th October ,2008, following the vacancy created by the demise of his predecessor and longest serving monarch in Africa, the late Dr.
Gwamna Awan who ruled for 63 year (Apr. 1945- sept. 2008). HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM The magnificent Kagoro hill which is nature’s gift to the Agworok due to its scenic beauty, coupled with the peaceful disposition of the people has made the land a ourist’s haven. Numerous tourist sites are documented; in fact, land has been acquired on top of the hill for the construction of a five-star hotel, cable-car and other facilities for tourism. This is a tripartite collaboration between the local and state governments on the one hand and Japanese investors on the other.
Other tourist sites include: Udong Katagwan, Oeduo-nshui, Liyak Katagwan, Aonang Sawhuat, Bailey bridge, and the cold water spring, among others. The Annual Afan National Festival which is celebrated every Jan. 1st is undoubtedly one of the most popular estivals in the country as it attracts tourists both within and outside the shores of enjoys. The hospitality industry is being boosted by the following hotels and guest houses; Ba-shon-shon Motel and Annex ( Fada and Agban ), Palm Garden Hotel, Chin- Chan- Chen (Kpak), White House ( Garaje), among others.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND According to oral tradition, the Kagoro migrated from a place called Bogworok on the Bauchi plateau in the 16th century A. D. and are believed to have had stoppages at Assop and Nimbia, enroute Tsok-Busa on top of the hill where they constructed permanent settlements and practiced agriculture. They also embarked on hunting expeditions which exposed them to the vast expanse of land down the hill, to the west and North West of the town. They descended the hill in droves, occupying the foot of the hill from north to south, and the caves which offer them protection against wild beasts and slave raiders.
Later, they slowly but steadily spread out to the plains in the west which were also heavily forested and before then, were occupied by the Kache-Chere who had been overpowered and forced to migrate by the Kagoro. These initial settlers were members of six autonomous clans, known as ANKWAI that left Bauchi and they include Zafan, Oetsuwan, Mungwob, Mingio, Kpaguwak and Sukarak. Other groups of migrants , collectively called KPASHANG were later assimilated and integrated into Kagoro. This group comprised of migrants from BaJJu, Kaninkon, Moro’ a, Atyab, Takad, Jaba and Ganawuri.
This beefed up the population of the ANKWAI who were not many then. It is worthy of note that for nearly 200 years the Kagoro were without a chief with wide autocratic powers. In fact, the independent ANKWAI clans were headed by a council of elders who were responsible for decision making and administration of Justice. The arrival of the colonial masters in 1905 however charted a new course of history for the people as a chief in the person of Kaka Bishut was appointed as the first Agwam Agworok ( chief of Kagoro), he ruled for 22 years (1905-1926).
Others who ruled after him include; Aluwong Benyan(1928- 1929); Mugunta Attn (1929-1932); Kaka (1932-1944); Dr. Gwarnna Awan (1945- 2008), the longest serving monarch in Nigeria, albeit Africa and Mr. UFIJWAI BONET, (2008… CULTURE Until the advent of Christianity in 1927, the Kagoro were traditionalists. The first missionary on Kagoro soil was Mr. Thomas Archibald who came with his wife, Darya nd daughter, Grace. Today, however, 99. 9% of the people profess Christianity.
The Agworok had traditional mode of dressing where the men wore triangular tanned leather loin-coverings, or a skin which hung from one shoulder to the back of the knee, the front legs being tied together loosely so that its owner may easily shift it to protect the exposed side of his body. This is usually made of goat skin on which the hair is left. This has since been discarded with the coming of Christianity and western education. Both sexes wore and do wear tribal marks which consists of short perpendicular or slanting incisions which are painted with soot. The people speak the Gworok language as well as Hausa and English.
The Agworok have a cultural day- the Annual Afan National Festival which is one of the most popular festivals in Nigeria and is observed every January, 1st. The Agworok are probably the most peaceful people on earth as they have never been associated with any form of violence and dislike towards strangers, settlers or visitors. Little wonder so many ethnic nationalities have made Kagoro their home irrespective of religious GWARAK which means to resist intimidation, make one’s presence felt, and be upright.
