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FRCN Kaduna And Social Awareness In Northern Nigeria

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FRCN ,KADUNA

 

 

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

 

Since the commissioning of Radio Nigeria, Kaduna by the First and only Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto, the station has been instilling awareness in the mind of an average Northerner who speaks and understand Hausa.

 

The Impact and contribution of the station to National cohesion cannot be overemphasized as it was used by preceding administrations in Nigeria.

 

The relevance of Radio Nigeria Kaduna is instrumental to the taking over of Regional Radio stations by the Federal Military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo and subsequent unification under one umbrella which is now FEDERAL RADIO CORPORATION OF NIGERIA, (FRCN).

 

The reach of the stations’ airwaves not only in Nigeria but to the entire west African Subregion made possible the defeat of Biafran Forces from the 1967-1970 Nigerian civil war.

 

While Biafran Radio was busy projecting Biafran Government to the teeming listeners due to its reach, Radio Nigeria Lagos cannot Match Biafran Radio in terms of Listenership and reach of airwaves.

 

Since propaganda is very essential especially during the war, the Nigerian Federal Military Government had no option than to use Radio Nigeria Kaduna to counter the propaganda of the Biafran Government over the air.

 

The Slogan KEEPING NIGERIA ONE is a task that must be done’ were introduced and Radio Nigeria Kaduna was the projector to the listenership not only outside Nigeria but to the entire West African Sub-region.

 

I started loving FRCN Kaduna during my early childhood and at the twilight of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s administration.

Academics, Journalists, Trained On Dead Body Management

By then I and My Siblings who are my elder Brothers will surround our Fathers Radio Listening to BARKA DA YAU(News and Correspondents Report), Whenever Muhammad Aminu Kelechi was reporting from Damaturu, Muhammad Jameel Yushau, Muttaqa Yushau and I will listen attentively till the end of Muhammad Aminu Kelechi’s report which is being presented in Pure Hausa but with Igbo accent, the expertise with which he presented the report made us attracted especially his mentioning of GWAMNA BUKAR ABBA IBRAHIM till Abacha’s overthrow of Ernest Shonekan on November 17, 1993.

 

Later Kelichi transformed from frequent Mentioning of Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim to Kwamishinan Yansanda Alhaji Dabo Aliyu, the successor Military administrator in Yobe state.

 

The love I have for Radio Nigeria Kaduna inspired me to read Journalism.

 

By then FRCN Kaduna was the only reliable station of Northerners and blessed with talented Journalists who can lure and convince their listeners.

 

During Abacha’s Broadcast, Buhari Auwalu will translate the Head of State’s speech with a high sense of expertise as if the Head of State is Broadcasting to the Nation in Hausa.

 

The veteran Broadcaster always translate FELLOW NIGERIAN’S as follows ”Ya Yan Uwana Yan Najeriya”

 

During Baraka Da yau,their News and correspondent report, the following veteran casters always hit the air, they are, Late Mustapha Danbaba Malumfashi,Late Abdullahi Tafida Mayare,Late Shehu Yusuf Karaye,Late Abubakar Cigari Toro,Lawal Abu Galadanchi,Umar Usman Tsiga,Mujtaba Ramalan Bello,Abubakar Zulkarnaini Minjibir,Salihu Umar Rigachikum, Yahya Umar Balarabe and Abubakar Jidda Othman.

Mujtaba Ramalan Bello,Now GM Pride FM Gusau

Mujtaba Ramalan Bello,Now GM Pride FM Gusau

Apart from the above mentioned BARKA DA YAU Veteran casters, are their hardworking reporters that report events and happenings from nook and crannies of Nigeria all I know in the early and late nineties which bypass to early ’20s.

 

 

They are Ghali Sadeek from Kano,Abubakar Abdurrahman from Jigawa,Ahmed Habu From Maiduguri,Lawal Baidu from Sokoto,Bature Maxwell Umaru from Jalingo,Yahaya Maiyaki From Lokoja,Abdullahi Garba from Katsina,Garba Aliyu from Ilorin,Haruna Aliyu Hadejia from Akure and later Birnin Kebbi,Aliyu Yahya from Abuja, John Aduku From Jos and the rest.

Bature Maxwell Umaru, One of the FRCN Correspondents

Bature Maxwell Umaru, One of the FRCN Correspondents

The above personalities developed BARKA DA YAU to News program worthy of listening to together with DUNIYA INA LABARI.

 

FRCN Kaduna was not left in the entertainment scene and other programs with good presenters which include DAKA DA WAJE,DUNIYA BUDURWAR WAWA,SAMANJA MAZAN FAMA,NOMA KARKARA MAGAJIN GARBA and SANDAN GIRMA by Halilu Ahmad Getso, the veteran MD of the station.

 

But with the emergence of Private FM stations and Government-owned FM stations, the influence and listenership of FRCN Kaduna, Sashin Hausa started dwindling.

 

Government policies in Muzzling the media especially Federal Government did not Favor SASHIN HAUSA Radio Nigeria Kaduna, but the military and politicians mostly in Northern Nigeria have exploited the opportunities offered by the station to their advantage.

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History

Today in History: Former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo Was Gassed To Death

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Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo
Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo

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.

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History

Meet Nigeria’s First Professor Of History

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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.

 

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History

Late Haruna Kundila: The Pre Colonial Wealthiest person in Kano

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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.

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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.

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