By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

On September 23, 2003, the vice-presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Chief William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo, was allegedly gassed at Kano Pillars Stadium by security agents during a rally of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), led by the opposition candidate in the 2003 general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari (retired).

The ANPP and its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, staged the opposition rally at Sani Abacha Stadium as a prelude to their court case at the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja, led by Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

The rally, which had thousands of Buhari’s supporters in attendance, was graced by the new Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, his late Deputy, Engineer Magaji Abdullahi, Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad, and John Nwodo Junior.

The ANPP National Chairman, Chief Donald Etiebet, also attended the rally. However, apart from Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the rest of the ANPP Governors were not in attendance, including Ahmad Sani Yerima of Zamfara, Adamu Aliero of Kebbi, the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno, and Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa of Sokoto.

Aware of Dr. Chuba Okadigbo’s health condition, the then Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did not want the rally to proceed. Security personnel mounted the entrance to Kano Pillars Stadium to prevent entry into the field until the Kano Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, ordered the youth to break the gate, allowing the opposition figures to enter.

Upon entering the stadium, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau chastised his predecessor and the then Minister of Defence, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for not visiting Kano since handing over power on May 29, 2003. He referred to Kwankwaso as “Ministan tsoro,” meaning “Minister of Fear.”

On returning to Abuja, the late William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo died on Friday, September 25, 2003, following the alleged gassing by security agents at Kano Pillars Stadium.

Dr. Chuba Okadigbo was the political adviser to former President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic. He hailed from Oyi Local Government in Anambra State.

The first professor in Nigeria was Professor Kenneth Dike (1917-1983). He was a renowned historian and academic who made significant contributions to the field of African history and culture.

Professor Dike was born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, and received his early education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Aberdeen in 1950 and returned to Nigeria to teach at the University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan).

In 1956, Professor Dike became the first Nigerian to be appointed as a professor, serving as the Professor of History at the University of Ibadan. He was a pioneer in the field of African history and wrote several influential books, including “Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta” and “A Hundred Years of British Rule in Nigeria”.

History of the Ajanakus Family in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria

Professor Dike’s achievements and contributions to education and academia have been recognized and celebrated in Nigeria and beyond. He remains a celebrated figure in Nigerian history and an inspiration to generations of scholars and academics.

By Jamilu Uba Adamu

Late Mallam Sa’adu Zungur (1915 – 1958) in his song Arewa Mulukiya ko Jamhuriya said;

“Ya Sarki Alhaji Bayero,
Ga Yan birni da Kanawiya.

Tun Bagauda na saran Kano, Suka fara fataucin dukiya.”

Throughout its history Kano State have been a trading and important commercial center. History have shown that Kano has produced quite a number of wealthy individuals that their names will always be there in the annals of history.

The ability of Kano and Kanawa to create wealthy individuals did not start in this modern era. The like of Madugu Indo Adakawa, Muhammadu Dan Agigi, and Madugu Dangomba, Umaru Sharubutu, Mai Kano Agogo, Alhasasan Dantata, Adamu Jakada, Muhammad Nagoda and many others were among the wealthy individuals that Kano produce.

Late Alh. Haruna Kundila (1810 – 1901 ) was known for his great wealth and fortune in the pre-colonial Kano during the reign of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi and his successor Emir Bello Ibrahim Dabo.

There was this popular Hausa saying attributed to him ; Bana siyarwa bane ya gagari Kundila, literally meaning that there is nothing Kundila can’t afford to buy unless if it is not for sale, because of his massive wealth and purchasing power.

Haruna Kundila was born in 1810 at Makwarari Quarters in Kano city.

The story about his source of wealth says that ” one day when he came out from house, he met Mallam Sidi ( according to the story Mallam Sidi, is a Pious God fearing Islamic teacher, that many people believe that he is a “Waliyyi’ ) and Mallam Sidi asked Kundila how he can help him get those that can evacuate his sewer pit ? Kundila answered him in positive. When he checked and couldn’t find anyone to do the job, he decided to do it by himself. When the Mallam came back and asked him weather he find out the people? He told him that the people have already came and do the work, Mallam Sidi asked him again “How much they were supposed to be paid for the work? But suddenly someone that witness how Kundila did the work alone, intercede and told Mallam that Kundila do the work by himself. When the Mallam heard that, he shake his head and said; To , Insha Allahu,duk inda warin masan nan ya buga gabas da Yamma, Kudu da Arewa sai kayi suna ka shahara an sanka ”

History tell us that Haruna Kundila who was a slave trader in those days, had a trade relations with traders coming to kano from foreign countries such as Mali,Sudan,Libya, Senegal,Damagaram,Agadas,Garwa,Duwala,Bamyo and Fallomi.

In his heyday’s, there is no one in Kano with Kundila’s wealth. Kundila was very rich and had estates by each of the city gates (Kofofi). It was said that he owned more than one thousand slaves. In fact he was the wealthiest trader in Nineteen century Kano.

The reason behind the name Kundila; history tell us that, Haruna has a younger sister named Binta who follows him in birth. After she grew up, one day Haruna went home and found his sister in thier mother’s room, he said to her ” Please Binta, “Miko min Kundina” the sister started to be repeating the words “Ina Kundina? Ina Kundina? Since that time the name Kundila followed him for the rest of his life. Up till today some Government housing estate in Kano bear the name, example Kundilar Zaria road.

It was said that when he died in 1901 (two years before the British Conquest of Kano) Kano was shaken for the loss of one the greatest wealthiest individual in it’s history.