About shitile chiefdom

INTRODUCTION
The proposed Shitile chiefdom in Takum LGA of Taraba State, is a priority long overdue. The chiefdom is uniquely located in the upland and lowland of Takum Local Government Area. It is bounded to the North by Wukari, West by Katsina-Ala, to the South by Takum and to the East by Donga. The chiefdom have a seasonal weather condition viz a viz, the rain, harmattan or dry season. It’s land surface is flat with year round sunshine. The chiefdom have many rivers and tributaries, foremost is the Kunkunu river and the Adu river. The land in the chiefdom is exceptionally fertile due to the phosphorous richness, made possible by the chemical activities of the sedimentary, metamorphic and other rocks under the surface.

*PEVA TOWN THE PROPOSED HEADQUARTER*
Peva town the proposed headquarter of Shitile chiefdom is a cosmopolitan settlement on the bank of the river Kunkun. It is located on trunk “B” road that start from Wukari town and crosses the Kunkun river and connects to Takum, Katsina-Ala and Bali local government areas. The main inhabitant of Peva town are Tiv-speaking people.

When it comes to yam harvests and sales in Nigeria and beyond, Shitile chiefdom is one of the centres of yam production in Nigeria. The Peva yam market is an international market frequented by all Nigerians and Africans in general. Apart from Zaki Biam in Benue state. Peva town has one of the biggest yam market in the world. The market specialize in selling and distributing yams, a staple crops in the region. It is a significant hub for yam trading, attracting buyers and sellers from various parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Buyers from as far as Cameroon, Niger, Togo, Benin and Ghana patronize the market. About 100 truckloads of yams depart the market every week and yams are never completely bought.

Nigeria is the principal contributor to yam production, boasting an annual 17 million tonnes, constituting a substantial 70-76% share of the worldwide output. The majority of these tubers, amounting to approximately three millions weekly, traverse through the Peva Yam Market, signifying a pivotal hub in the distribution network.

*ECONOMIC VIABILITY*
Shitile chiefdom habour the most fertile agricultural lands in the whole of southern Taraba State. The proposed Shitile chiefdom with a landmass of 56 sq. Kilometers possesses climatic, soil and vegetation conditions that provide tremendous agricultural and Agro-Allied industrial potential. This variety of soils and vegetation makes possible the cultivation of an equally wide variety of agricultural produce ranging from food to cash crops. The food crops grown include Yams, Cassava, Cocoyam, Maize, Beans, Rice, Millet and several market garden crops. While some of the cash crops that thrive well in the area include palm-oil, bananas, plantains etc.

With two major rivers and their tributaries, fishing is a well-known vocation of the people. It’s wet river banks, serves as a rich alluvia deposits, which is good for rice farming due to the favourable climatic condition. The vast luxuriant grassland in the chiefdom provides grazing pasture for a variety of livestock including goats, sheep and cattle.

*LANDMASS*
In terms of sheer land size, Shitile chiefdom with a landmass of 56 sq. Kilometers is larger than 15 local government areas in Nigeria. For example, Lagos Island has a landmass of 8.7 km2, Onitsha South 10.66km2, Agege 12.25 km2, Ajeromi-Ifelodun 12.49 km2), Shomolu 14.6 km2, Miushi 17 km2,, Kano municipal 17 km2, Gwale 18 km2 etcetera.

*MINERAL RESOURCES*
Shitile chiefdom is also blessed with abundant mineral deposits, which include:

(a) Gold in commercial quantity (tested and proven).

(b) Lithium in commercial quantity (tested and proven)

(c) Tantalite in commercial quantity (tested and proven)

(d) Quartz/Basal in commercial quantity (tasted and proven); Quartz would support a glass and glassware industry.

(e) Salt in commercial quantity (tasted and proven). Salt deposits in Shitile chiefdom, would adequately support the commercial production of common salt for the home and industry. The demand for common salt is underscored by the huge requirements of the petrochemical industries which are estimated at 500,000 metric tones annually. In addition, the salt deposits offer opportunities for the development of the Soda, Potash and Chlorine gas factories.

All of the above minerals are important in the daily lives of the individual and the nation. The development of a state’s economy on the exploitation of these deposits will ensure viability and the overall development of the chiefdom and the state. None of these minerals is being explored.

*POPULATION*
In the helpless circumstances we have always found ourselves, population figures have always been under-estimated by majority group interests in order to perpetuate the negative geopolitics of development in Shitile chiefdom. In spite of this, the present population, estimated at over 235,000 people. The population figure quoted here does not include those of communities located outside Takum local government. A substantial Shitile population can also be found in neighboring local government areas of Donga and Bali specifically Mberev, Mbajir and Mbatyula. The demographic factor of low population density (i.e. ratio of population to land mass) in Shitile chiefdom will facilitates agricultural development, promotes good neighbourliness, and enhances peace and stability.

*HUMAN RESOURCES*
The Youths population makes up to seventy percent (70%) of the population of Shitile chiefdom. It is further estimated that at least 100 indigenes of the chiefdom graduate every year from the University and other institutions of higher learning.

*MAJOR TOWNS AND VILLAGES*
Major towns and villages in Shitile chiefdom include: Peva, Amadu, New Gboko, Tor Tseer, Adu, Demavaa, Vingir, Gawa, Igbum, Tse-Sabe, Tse-Gba'Aondo, Imande-Atsanger, Agu, Tse-Adekpe, Tse-Vendagor etcetera.

Please note that I am not an expert on our history but what I have done is research and borrow heavily from individuals who are too numerous to mention to keep you informed.

Please remember that most of the narratives are from oral tradition and we are aware that there will be counter narratives and that is quite okay. There are usually several sources when it comes to something that happened long ago because that is the nature of such issues. We should all bear in mind that the purpose of this communication is not to start any controversy but to educate and inform our people. If anyone has any other version to add to this narrative it will be welcome and we will gladly keep everyone informed also.

Citizen John Akevi,
Bauchi State,
Nigeria.