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Jos is a small picturesque town in the Nigeria n middle belt (population 799,100). It lies over 1000m above Sea Level on the Jos Plateau . Jos is the capital of the Plateau State and enjoys a much more temperate climate than the rest of Nigeria (average monthly temperatures range from 21° to 25° C). In Colonial times, and indeed until quite recently, Jos was a favourite holiday location for Expatriates based in Nigeria.


HISTORY

Jos was established in 1915 at the site of the village Geash. The city was tied to mining - especially tin, and was popularly known as "Tin City". In 1967 it was made capital of Benue-Plateau State , becoming the capital of the new Plateau State in 1975.

Previously known in Nigeria as the "home of peace and tourism," the city witnessed violent riots between the Muslim north and the Christian south in which thousands of people have died. In 2004 the governor of Plateau State Joshua Dariye was suspended for six months for failing to control the violence.

It is also a traditional state and was politically organised under a chief around 1950 .


FEATURES

The city is home to the University of Jos (founded in 1975) and its teaching hospital, St Luke's Cathedral , an Airport and Railway Station . Hillcrest School , an international missionary school, is also located in Jos. The school has been running for more than fifty years and contains a large international student population.

Attractions in the city include the large Jos National Museum founded in 1952, known for its Pottery and Terracotta , and incorporating the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, Railway and tin mining Museum s and a Zoo . The National Museum is said to be one of the best in the country and boasts some fine specimens of Nok heads and artifacts dating from between 500 BC to 200 AD. A School for Museum Technicians is attached to the museum, established with the help of UNESCO .

The Jos Wildlife Park is another attraction. It covers roughly 8 sq. kilometers of Savannah bush. Visitors are able to see animals ranging from lions to Pygmy Hippopotami .


Chiefs of Jos


(title Gbong Gwom)


Rwang Pam was the first paramount chief of the Berom (title: Gbong Gwom Jos), one of the largest ethnic groups in Plateau State. He died on the throne in 1969. He was succeeded by Fom Bot, whose reign lasted up to December 2002 when he also died on the throne after a protracted illness. The current Gbong Gwom Jos, Victor Pam, a retired Deputy Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, ascended the throne in 2004.