13 Interesting Facts About the People of Gonia Ethnic Group in Nigeria

The Gonias are another group of ethnic people who reside in Nigeria and are part of the over 250 ethnic groups found in Nigeria. They belong to the Chadic people cluster but are only found in some parts of Nigeria. This article will give you 13 Interesting Facts About the People of Gonia Ethnic Group in Nigeria.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Gonia Ethnic Group in Nigeria

You can learn a lot about an ethnic group from the state which they reside in. There are facts that you do not know about the Gonia people. This article will expose you to those facts.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Gonia Ethnic Group in Nigeria

This article contains interesting facts about the people of Gonia ethnic group in Nigeria and also the state which they reside.

1. State

The Gonias found a settlement in Taraba state and are currently occupying a small village in the state.

2. History

History of these people says they are only found in Nigeria and have not undergone any migration like other Nigerian tribes.

3. Occupation is One of the Interesting Facts About the People Of Gonia Ethnic Group

They are mostly farmers and grow crops like sorghum, yam, cassava, and others. Their farm produce is mostly for substantial purpose and not commercial. However, there are a few who go to other villages for trade purposes.

4. Population

Not much about these people are known but it is a fact that they are one of the smallest tribes in Nigeria.

5. Education

Education is not really a value to the Gonias. They have a low level of literacy.

6. Ethnicity is Among the Interesting Facts About the People Of Gonia Ethnic Group

People Group: Gonia.

People Cluster: Chadic.

Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan People.

7. Language

The main language spoken by these people is the Gonia language. The language is native to the Gonia people. However, a lot of them are now familiar with the Fulani language.

8. Religion

Only a few of the population practices Christianity. The rest practices the Islam religion and ethno-religion.

9. Healthcare is Another Interesting Facts About the People Of Gonia Ethnic Group

Taraba state has it’s health centres to provide the people with health care. Here are some of the healthcare centres in the state;

  • Federal Medical Center.
  • Sauki Hospital and Maternity.
  • General Hospital Bali.
  • Albert Healthcare Company.
  • Courage Hospital.
  • Gateway Hospital.

Note that there are more hospitals in the state. Some are privatized while others are government hospitals made available to the people.

10. Natural Resources

Taraba is a blessed state with mineral resources. They include;

  • Feldspar
  • Bauxites
  • Graphite
  • Kaolin
  • Mica
  • Limestone
  • Gypsum
  • Barytes
  • Pyrite

These mineral resources provides the economy with revenue and the mining of these minerals is a source of employment for the people of the state.

11. Notable People

Here are some of the notable people that have made a mark on the state history and are still making a mark;

  • Anna Darius Ishaku.
  • Saleh Mamman.
  • Aisha Alhassan.
  • Abbas Njidda Tafida.
  • Agbu Kefas.
  • Emmanuel Bwacha.
  • Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama.
  • Theophilus Danjuma.

Note that these people contributed in one way or the other to make the state what it is today. Some contributed to making the state’s history, while some are still contributing to the adding of the state’s history.

12. Neighbouring State is Among the Interesting Facts About the People Of Gonia Ethnic Group

Taraba state is bordered to the north by Bauchi state and Gombe state, to the northeast by Adamawa state, to the west by Nasarawa state and Benue state, to the northwest by Plateau state, and it shares borders with Cameron to the south by the Northwest Region.

13. Local Government Areas

Taraba state has 16 local government areas;

  • Ardo Kola.
  • Bali
  • Donga
  • Gashaka
  • Gassol
  • Ibi
  • Jalingo
  • Karim Lamido.
  • Kurmi
  • Lau
  • Sardauna
  • Takum
  • Ussa
  • Wukari
  • Yorro
  • Zing

Conclusion

To conclude, Gonia is an ethnic group in Nigeria found in the north-eastern region in Nigeria, Taraba state. They speak the Gonia language and are predominantly farmers and Islamic people. Their population makes them to be among the smallest ethnic group in Nigeria.

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