Sokoto

Sokoto (which is the modern/anglicised version of the local name, Sakkwato; also known as Sakkwato, Birnin Shaihu da Bello or "Sokoto, Capital of Shaihu and Bello") is a city located in the Northwestern region of Nigeria, and is the modern day capital of Sokoto State (and its predecessor, the Northwestern State).

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The city is also the former capital of the Sokoto Caliphate that ruled most of Northern Nigeria from the period of Usman dan Fodio's 1804-1812 jihad until its defeat at the hands of Frederick Lugard's Royal West African Frontier Force in 1903. The city has an estimated population of 525,000 people as of 2004.

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Sokoto is known for the Sultan's Palace, the Shehu Mosque and for its large market. The city is also home to an airport.

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Bello: Bello is an Italian surname of disputed origin, usually thought to originate from Latin "Bello", referring to the "Goddess of War" or meaning "to wage war". Contrary to popular belief it is not necessarily the English equivalent of "Beautiful"....

City: :For alternate meanings see city (disambiguation)...

Nigeria: The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It is the most populous country in Africa. It borders Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, Niger in the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the south. Major cities include the capital Abuja, the former capital Lagos, Ibadan, Osog...