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An Interview With Salamatu Maidaki, Wife of Emir of Katsina Muhammadu Dikko (1865-1944), in Liverpool Echo of Wednesday May 10, 1933

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Emir's wife

 

 

MAIDAKI UNVEILS: Interview With Emir’s Wife Who Is Coming To Liverpool

On the hottest day of the year [Salamatu] Madaiki, wife No. 4 of the Emlr of Katsina [Muhammadu Dikko], sat on a chair in the bedroom of a private suite in the Hyde Park Hotel, London, with all the windows tightly closed and a coal fire blazing.

She flashed a smile at me that cut a dazzling slash across her dark-skinned face. Her robes were of brilliant blue, woven with metal threads and a silken scarf of the same hue covered the black mop of her hair. Around her neck hung chains of filigree silver; wide bracelets bedecked her arms; hoops of beaten gold hung from her oars.

Although she goes veiled In public as do all the Moslem women of Northern Nigeria—in the privacy of her hotel boudoir I was privileged to see her eager, alert face fully and, by means of an interpreter, to probe behind the surface to gain, first hand, a few of the impressions this Royal visitor has formed of England and her people.

Maidaki is twenty-six. She married her 76-year-old husband eleven years ago. Being the daughter of the powerful Emir of Kano [Abbas], she brought with her to Katsina prestige and importance greatly in excess of the other wives of the emir. As witness of her birth, she carries upon her face, arms, and chest tribal marks of Kano, whereby all people of one locality may be distinguished from another.

Maidaki can neither read, write, nor speak English, but, as Mrs. G. S. Browne (wife of the Lieutenant-Governor of Northern Nigeria) explained, she is now receiving rudimentary lessons from a European teacher and takes great delight in her studies. Although she herself is childless, she has asked specially to be shown those institutions which cater to the needs of children, so Mrs. Browne, who is acting as guide, adviser, and friend during the visit, has arranged sightseeing trips. which include visits to a Montessori Kindergarten; a Children’s Hospital, and Roedean School.

New ideas in hygiene and education are slow to percolate through the 8,000 square miles and 750,000 souls over which the Emir has domain, but steady progress is being made, and Madaiki, because of her important position as favourite wife, exerts great influence.

Danburan Kano Faruk ,The First Son Of Emir Bayero To Acquire Western Education

One has only to watch the two small grandsons of the Emir—aged eight and nine, respectively — to realise how avidly the children of Africa seize upon European novelties. The boys have seen many sights that would interest any youngsters — been to the “talkies,” had flights in ‘planes and rides in speedboats, and invariably have astonished their guides with their enthusiasm and keenness. During my interview with Maidaki, the telephone in the suite rang, and, quick as lightning, the younger boy grasped the receiver, and with a flashing smile shouted down the mouth-piece. “I am not here!” to prove to me how well he had mastered the intricacies of the English language!

The Emir’s party, homeward bound from their pilgrimage to Mecca, consists of the Emir of Katsina, his brother [Kankia Nuhu], his brother’s wife [Umma Rumana], his two sons [Yusufu Lamba and Usman Nagogo], two grandsons [Ladan Baki and Ladan Fari] —and Madaiki. They are accompanied by no personal servants, and are enjoying European cooking, although, as Maidaki laughingly explained through our interpreter, she will not be sorry to get back to her own food.

In the same way, while closed windows and fires have mitigated the English climate for the Africans, they are one and all longing for the warmth of the tropical sun again. The homeward voyage holds no terrors for Madaiki as she has proved herself a good sailor, so is looking forward eagerly to the trip by the Elder Dempster liner Adda, on May 17.

Before their departure Liverpool is to extend some of its famed hospitality, when the Lord Mayor is to hold a reception for the visitors at the Town Hall.

Lord Leverhulme has invited the entire party to be his guests the night prior to sailing, and has arranged a tour of Port Sunlight for them, to which Madaiki is looking forward as the crowning event of a visit which has been a demonstration of lavish courtesy and kindness on all sides, from beginning to end.

Source: Liverpool Echo newspaper of Wednesday May 10, 1933

The emir and his party had visited England in 1921, 1924, 1933 and 1939.

Credit:Jaafar Jaafar

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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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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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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.

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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