Gboko

Gboko is a fast-growing town in the Benue State of North-central Nigeria. The name Gboko also refers to a Local Government in Benue State. The population for the town is over 500,000, mostly Tiv people. It is the traditional capital of the Tiv tribe and it has the official residence of the Tor-Tiv, who is the paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv people that spread across Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Enugu States. Gboko was also the headquarters of the Tiv Native Authority. The famous Tiv politician Senator Joseph Saawuan Tarkaa has his tomb in Gboko. Many of the prominent Tiv sons and daughters have a home in Gboko where they visit often. Prominent Tiv sons that lived in Gboko include Engr. Senator Dr. BAI Gemade, Prof. Ayua, Gen. Inienger, Senator Dr. Jack Gyado, Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Sen. Dr George Akume, Chief Denen Tofi, Engr Tachia jooji, Mike Mku, Amb. E. Agum, Rev. Fr. Dr. Vitalis Torwel, Lanem Atoh, Dominic Mhenga-Iorfa Mtem and many others. Despite their frequent visit and having homes in the town, Gboko remains highly underdeveloped in terms of infrastructure, poor road networks and youth unemployment is very high as can be seen among many youths inhabiting the town, who survive mostly on riding commercial motorcycles popularly known as "Okada". In consequence, the rate of Crime in the town remains high as youth unrest soars. The Dangote Cement Plant, once owned by the Benue State Government (formerly called Benue Cement Company) is situated at Gboko.