Wase (pronounced: Wasay) is a town and
Local Government Area
A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a State (administrative division), state, province, divi ...
(LGA) of
Plateau State
Plateau State is the twelfth-largest Nigerian state. It is in the centre of the country includes a range of hills surrounding the Jos Plateau, its capital, and the entire plateau itself.
Plateau State is described as "The Home of Peace and To ...
,
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, situated some 216 km south east of Jos, the Plateau State capital. It shares its name with the nearby
Wase River
The Wase River is a river in Wase LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria. It is linked with River Benue in Dampar of Ibi Local Government, Maize, yams , Mango and other farm vegetable
Vegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or ot ...
. The population of the LGA was 159,861 people as of 2006, with an urban area of 1750 km².
History
The region of Wase was first inhabited by the Jukuns, centered around the traditional walled town of the same name. At first, Bashar was at it present location. She contained a chiefdom ruled by the Jukun in
Mavo and lastly by
Tarok in
Kadarko this comes after the second crises between Tarok and Fulani. The Local Government Area was predominantly inhabited by
Hausa Fulani,
Burmawa and
Jukun tribes. The minor tribes are the
Tarok, and Basherawa. Later on Wase became part of the British
Royal Niger Company
The Royal Niger Company was a mercantile company chartered by the British government in the nineteenth century. It was formed in 1879 as the ''United African Company '' and renamed to ''National African Company'' in 1881 and to ''Royal Niger Co ...
protectorate (later
Northern Nigeria
Northern Nigeria was an autonomous division within Nigeria, distinctly different from the southern part of the country, with independent customs, foreign relations and security structures. In 1962 it acquired the territory of the United Kingd ...
) following the arrival of British troops in 1898. Wase was a part of Plateau Province when it was established in 1926, and then Plateau State upon
Nigerian Independence
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of G ...
in 1960.
Environment
Around 321 hectares (790 acres) of land around Wase is conserved for wildlife development and serves as a bird sanctuary - local species include the Rossy White
Pelican
Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before s ...
. The protected land includes
Wase Rock, a massive dome-shaped
inselberg
An inselberg or monadnock () is an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain.
In Southern Africa a similar formation of granite is known as a koppie, a ...
of volcanic origin standing at 350m in height, making it visible from a distance of some 40 km (25 miles).
The region is renowned for its mining activities due to a high concentration of lead, zinc, tin and other minerals. This has attracted considerable interest from
Chinese investors
Chinese can refer to:
* Something related to China
* Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
**''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation
** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...
who have constructed few local bridges and other infrastructure close to Wase's mining sites, although these services have not always reached the local community.
Population
The 2006 census population of Wase LGA was 159,861. There is a near-equal gender distribution (50.3% male) and a predominantly youthful population - 47.3% are younger than 15, whereas only 2.7% are aged 65 and over. The ethnic groups in Wase are the Hausa/Fulanis, Yankam,
Tarok, Jukuns, and Boghoms. The major religions are Islam, Christianity, and the traditional African religion.
Local government council
The main tribal groups in the local council are the Fulani people ruled by an
Emir
Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or cerem ...
, (Yankam) Basharawa people ruled by the Rekna, who use the Yankham language, and the
Tarok ruled by Ponzhi. Emirs are selected by a council of seven kingmakers.
The 13th Emir of Wase was Alhaji (Dr.) Haruna Abdullahi Maikano. He was nominated three months after the death of his father in September 2001, although this was not confirmed until the following year.
He was assisted by the Rekna of Bashar, Alh. Adamu Idris, in conducting the affairs of the traditional council, who rule in the absence of the emir.
Haruna Abdullah died in September 2010 at the age of 64.
Alh Dr Muhammadu Sambo Haruna replaced late Dr Haruna Abdullah as the 14th Emir of Wase with effect from 28 October 2010.
Political Division
Administratively, Wase was divided into four districts, namely: Wase, Bashar, Lamba, and Kadarko. Each of these districts is headed by a district head known as the "Hakimi", while the various towns and villages in the districts are headed by a chief known as "Sarki".
Currently the Rekna of Bashar is the oldest paramount traditional ruler.
References
{{LGAs and communities of Plateau State
Local Government Areas in Plateau State