Kaduna  Kaduna is the state capital of Kaduna State in north-western Nigeria, on the Kaduna River. It is a trade centre and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas, with its rail and road junction. The population of Kaduna was at 760,084 as of the 2006 Nigerian census. Rapid urbanisation since 2005 has created an increasingly large population, now estimated to be around 1.3 million. Kaduna's name derives from the Hausa word "kada", for crocodile ("kaduna" being the plural form). The etymology of the word "Kaduna" is said to be a corruption of the Hausa word for “crocodiles”, "Kadduna" in the Hausa language. Another version of the name proposes a link to the Gbagyi word/name 'Odna', meaning 'river'. Kaduna was founded by British colonists in 1900. It became the capital of Nigeria's former Northern Region in 1917, and retained this status until 1967. The first British governor of Northern Nigeria, Sir Frederick Lugard, chose the present site for development due to its proximity to the Lagos-Kano Railway. Tertiary Institutions in Kaduna city include:   Among the places of worship, there are predominantly Muslim mosques. Sultan Bello Mosque is the biggest and a central mosque in kaduna. There are also Christian churches and temples: Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Nigerian Baptist Convention (Baptist World Alliance), Living Faith Church Worldwide, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Assemblies of God, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna (Catholic Church). The city is served by Kaduna International Airport. Kaduna is an important junction on Nigeria's Cape gauge railway network. At Kaduna, a branch line connects the Lagos–Nguru Railway to the Port Harcourt–Maidugur Railway. Kaduna is also on the route of the planned Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway, which has been completed between the national capital of Abuja and Kaduna. Trains for Abuja depart from the Rigasa Railway Station in Kaduna. There is a large racecourse named Murtala Mohammed Square, approximately round, inside which is found the Kaduna Polo Club. Kaduna Golf Club is also located within the Kaduna CBD. Other Sports facilities include the Ahmadu Bello Stadium and Ranchers Bees Stadium.