Yobe! Pride of the Sahel
Traveling to Yobe State
The NYSC camp is located at; College of Administration and Business Studies, Potiskum, Yobe State.
Gombe Lawanti International Airport, in Gombe is the nearest airport for travellers going to Potiskum. The state is also accessible by road; buses mostly travel to the capital, Damaturu.
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More on Yobe state
Yobe state is located in the north-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The capital is Damaturu. It State was created out of the old Borno State in 1991.
It borders the Republic of Niger to the north and the Nigerian states of Borno to the east, Gombe to the southwest, Bauchi to the west, and Jigawa to the northwest. It is divided into 17 local government areas.
People and Culture
There are five major ethnic groups in the state which include the Kanuri, Fulani, karekare, Bade and Hausa.
The people of Yobe are well known for their Durbar – rich culture and traditions arising from their historical connection with North Africa and Eastern Arabian.
Cattle herding and farming are the chief occupations of the people.
Geography and Climate
Yobe State has hot and dry climatic features in the northern part for most of the year. In the southern part, it is hotter and cooler for the most part of the year. The hottest months are March, April and May with temperatures ranging from 39°C – 42°C. The rainy season of the State varies from place to place, but generally lasts for about 120 days in the north and more than 140 days in the south. The two vegetation zones in the state are namely, the Sahel in the north and the Sudan Savannah in the south.
Notable Places
Key Towns include; Damaturu, Gashua, Giedam, Nguru, and Potiskum. Notable sites include Dufuna Canoe (Africa’s oldest known boat), Bula Tura Oases, Nguru, Dokshi Spring Water, Goya Valley, Dagona Birds Sanctuary etc.
Institutions of higher learning in the state include the Yobe State University and the Federal University, Gashua.
Interesting Fact
The Dufuna canoe which was discovered in Dufuna village, Yobe state, by a Fulani Herdsman in May 1987, while he digging a well is Africa’s oldest known boat and 3rd oldest in the world at over 8,000 years. The discovery of the canoe changed accepted theories of the history and sophistication of marine technology in Africa..
Experiences of Corps Members that served in Yobe State
Image Sources:
https://ntalagoschannel10.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/peace-returns-to-yobe-state.jpg
http://www.yobestate.gov.ng/sites/default/files/styles/slideshow/public/2016-08/2.jpg?itok=nbMI2Mvy
https://scontent.flos7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/474286_247521852022150_366873872_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.flos7-1.fna&oh=4c1086ce1f5c16f932e61a3adff4cea9&oe=5C529DAB
Other Sources Referenced:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Yobe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yobe_State
https://www.cometonigeria.com/?s=Yobe+state