Opinion

Malam Adamu: Passing Of The Wazirin Fika

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2023

Late Malam Adamu Fika

By Is’haq Modibbo Kawu

WHEN I read a few hours ago, that Malam Adamu, Wazirin Fika, died on a flight, from London, where he had been receiving treatment, I felt really sad, that we’ve lost one of the genuinely venerable old men, of Northern Nigeria. It’s without doubt, the closure of an era in our history. The Wazirin Fika would no longer be present amongst us to consult, when in doubt, about aspects of our history, as well as the nuts and bolts of the administrative structures, upon which some of the most impressive achievements in our history were recorded.

On that fateful morning of November 28th, 2007, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, died in an accident, on the Abuja-Kaduna highway. To be double sure of the story, I placed a call to the Wazirin Fika. He answered me in words that conveyed very deep sorrow: “Yes it’s true, Modibbo, we lost Sunday”!

Chief Awoniyi had been the person that cemented my relationship with Malam Adamu. For those familiar with the old structures of life in the Kaduna of the past few decades, Wazirin Fika and Chief Awoniyi, were inseparable. One was a channel to the other, and the two, were repositories of all that people recall with genuine nostalgia; the era of dedicated labour, genuine service delivery, and patriotism that was a lived daily reality.

During my years as Editor of DAILY TRUST newspaper, we were working on a series of interviews with the old men, who had served during the years of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. When I got to the residence of Malam Yahaya Gusau in Kaduna, he refused to do the interview.

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I placed a call to Chief Sunday Awoniyi, who advised me to stay in the residence. A few minutes later, he drove into the compound. Chief Awoniyi asked me to follow him. Mal Yahaya greeted: “Ina kwana, Sunday”, and the reply was “Lafiya Lau, Sir”. Then Chief Awoniyi pressed further: “Modibbo said you have refused to do the interview, but you should sir°. Mal Yahaya turned towards me and replied: “Toh, if Sunday says I should do the interview, then you’re very lucky Modibbo”.

We did the hour long interview, and headed for Malam Adamu, Wazirin Fika’s residence. We were informed that he was slight indisposed because he had returned from Fika late the previous night and was still in bed. Chief Awoniyi went upstairs into Malam Adamu’s bedroom, and a few minutes later, we were sat in the study for the interview.

Subsequently, it was a library that would be open to me, as it was to several other people. Just as Mal Adamu was always ready to offer very enlightening insights on administration, history, politics, and even social aspects of life.

A few years ago, one of the Governors of our Northern States had appointed over 250 Personal Assistants. People were surprised, and I was too. I called Malam Adamu to find out how many Personal Assistants were appointed by the Sardauna, when he ran Northern Region, that eventually became the nineteen northern states. He told me there was nothing like that in the Sardauna’s period, yet there was a consensus, that things were done much better then.

Malam Adamu had a very distinguished life of service to our country, in several positions, and was to retire as a very respected SGF. Over the next couple of decades, he would continue to offer his remarkae insights to Nigeria, Northern Nigeria and his community in Fika, whenever he was called upon to do so. And because people knew that they would learn a lot from the venerable oldman, they never stopped reaching him to tap from his wealth of considerable knowledge.

It is part of the mythology of the Northern system, that almost all the top men, from the time of the Sardauna, retired into Kaduna, the old Northern Regional capital. It has always, therefore, been seen as a city of power and influence.

Malam Adamu was one the most respected members of that generation, and because Kaduna is one of the three cities that I call home, I’ve been able to see at very close quarter, the roles and positions of people like Mal Adamu, and the culture that they created and nurtured, with roots in the most important early years of Northern Nigeria.

Unfortunately, many of the venerable old people have died over the past few years, and the country itself has evolved in an increasingly different direction. The demography has changed, and the country is today a country of very young people. These young people are growing up in a world of neoliberal hegemony, which has devastated all aspects of life.

Our world today, and especially life in Northern Nigeria, now resembles the Hobbesian jungle, with life overwhelmingly “nasty, brutish, and short”. That’s not the world which formed Malam Adamu’s generation. They grew up in a world of transition, where older community values strongly influenced the formation of character, even while becoming educated within the certainties, if they ever were, of colonial society.

Many of the younger generation might not have even ever heard of his name. But Malam Adamu, Wazirin Fika, represented some of the very best of those truly golden years of Nigerian development. Allah gave him a very long life, and allowed us to tap into the wealth of experience that he acquired over nine decades. In his passing, we arrived at what the old Fullo intellectual from Mali, Professor Hampate Ba, once said.

The death of an old African, is the equivalent of the burning of a library. Indeed, a major library has, literally, burnt, with the passing of our very dear Malam Adamu, Wazirin Fika. We are poorer with his passing. Allah ya jikan sa, ya gafarta masa, ya rahamshe shi. Amin.

Kawu, PhD, FNGE, is a Broadcaster, Journalist, and Political Scientist.

Opinion

The King Who Was—A Legacy Etched in Eternity” Tribute To Galadiman Kano

Published

2 hours ago

April 9, 2025

Nigerian Tracker

”

By Sadiq Abbas Sanusi

A tribute to Galadiman Kano, Abbas Sanusi, a man who embodied royalty beyond title, whose grace and wisdom left an indelible mark on tradition and leadership. His reign in our hearts will never fade.

With tears that shall never be forgotten, I write of a man who embodied royalty in every fiber of his being. Galadiman Kano, Abbas Sanusi, was not just a royal by blood—he lived, breathed, and walked the essence of royalty. In a time when Kano saw many princes, none could compare to the dignity, grace, and leadership of this extraordinary man.

Born into a prestigious lineage, Abbas Sanusi was the grandson of the late Emir of Kano Abdullahi Bayero and the son of the revered Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi (the first). He was a nephew to both the late Emir Muhammad Inuwa and the late Emir Ado Bayero.

He was the uncle of Emir Muhammad Sanusi (the second) and a cousin to the Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero. He bore the prestigious title of Galadiman Kano—the highest-ranking traditional title, second only to the Emir himself.

Galadima served under multiple emirs with unmatched loyalty and wisdom, not merely as a traditional leader but as a true artist, designer, choreographer, and coordinator of the monarchy. His influence extended far beyond Kano, earning him reverence and respect throughout the northern emirates. His name was synonymous with royalty itself.

A living legend of royalty, Galadima Abbas Sanusi was more than a man—he was a symbol of tradition, honor, and nobility. He was a king in every sense but title. And though he has passed, he will forever remain our king in spirit.

He was not only the Galadiman Kano; he was our father. And the end of this era marks the beginning of his eternal reign in our hearts. Forever, he will be the king who was.

Opinion

Letter To Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf On The Plight Of Sani DZ’s Family

Published

7 hours ago

April 9, 2025

Nigerian Tracker

Aminu Abba Kwaru

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As one of the media fraternity and someone who had the privilege of working closely with the late Sani Muhammad DZ (Your Image Maker when you are a Commissioner of works) I feel compelled to reach out to you through this medium regarding the legacy and significant contributions of a dedicated Public Relations Officer, who served both you and the people of Kano State with unwavering commitment.

Late Sani Muhammad formally known as DZ was not just a professional, he was a guider, a father, a friend and a steadfast ally to all journalists during your tenure as the Commissioner of Works, Housing and transport.

Sir, late D.Z’s kindness, simplicity, and dedication to work left an indelible mark on all who had the opportunity to work alongside him in your office.

During the administration of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Late DZ played a pivotal role in ensuring that your accomplishments were communicated effectively and widely, helping to shape the perception of your capabilities as a commissioner.

Sir, It was through late D.Z’s efforts that many, including the then-Executive Governor, recognized your potential to succeed in the highest office of the state.

Regrettably, since Sani D.Z’s passing, it has become apparent that many of those currently surrounding you now may not know the extent of his contributions towards your success in political journey.

Shehu Bala Kabara, Muhammad Auwalu Tudun Murtala, Rabi’u Aboki Ana’s da wasu da dama shaidu ne Atambaye su Aji amsar SU Kan wannan batu. Kokuma Ahmad (your Personal Photographer now your S.A Videography) shima shaidane. Kai a tambayi Kwamishinan ayyuka ma na yanzu Malam Marwan Aji idan gaskiya na fada. Commissioner Ibrahim Wayya da Sanusi Bature ba maganar SU Tunda su haduwar shekaranjiya ne.

It is paramount that the legacy of individuals like late Sani Muhammad DZ is preserved and honored more especially by you Sir, as he have played an essential role in your political history and your progress personally and politically of Kano State.

I urge you, as a matter of urgency, to extend your hand to the family of Sani Muhammad DZ. In times of sorrow, it is our duty to support those who have been left behind, especially during this difficult period. Your acknowledgment of his contributions and your support towards his family, would not only honor Sani’s memory but also reinforce your commitment to the values of dedication and service that he embodied.

Your excellency Sir,Yadda kake ruwan rabon kudade, ababen hawa, filaye da kujerun aikin Hajji Dan Allah Ka tuna da iyalan Marigayi Sani Muhammad D.Z Ka san shi kuma kasan gudunmowar SA a wajenka kawai dai tuna maka nayi.

Please Ahmad P.A convey my heartfelt condolences to Sani’s family, his students, and all his colleagues who are mourning his loss. The impact he had on so many lives was profound, and his absence will surely be felt for years to come.

Thank you Sir for your time and consideration. I trust that you will see the merit in recognizing the legacy of a truly dedicated servant of the people.

With respect and sincerity,

Aminu.Abba Kwaru

Immediate Past Chairman of

Nigeria Union of Journalist

Radio Nigeria Pyramid FM.Kano

8,April,2025

Opinion

An Analysis By An Igbo Man:Northern Nigeria ,Kano Throne On The Globe

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2025

Nigerian Tracker

Chuks Emeka

As an Igbo Nigerian, watching the events unfold in Kano with the police summoning Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II over a harmless and respectful Eid homage is both infuriating and heartbreaking. This is not just a Northern affair—it is a national disgrace, one that reveals how far we’ve sunk in allowing personal vendettas to hijack state institutions.

It is now evident to anyone paying attention that this harassment of Sanusi is being orchestrated by Northern politicians who cannot stand the fact that he returned to the throne with dignity, public support, and historic legitimacy. These individuals are not concerned about peace or tradition—they are using the weight of the federal government to settle personal scores. And they are doing so with the silent approval—or perhaps even the encouragement—of a Yoruba-led presidency that appears content to let Northern chaos continue, so long as it serves its narrow political survival.

Let me say it plainly: what is happening to Emir Sanusi is not just an attack on a man—it is an attack on intellect, courage, and the idea that a traditional ruler can also be a voice of conscience. Sanusi speaks hard truths. He challenges corruption. He is a Northern elite who refuses to play along with the politics of stagnation. And for this, a section of the Northern power structure has turned against him with venom.

But here is where it becomes a national problem: the federal government is now the muscle for their revenge.

The Nigeria Police Force—an institution that should be impartial and focused on real security threats—is being weaponized to intimidate a respected monarch. This is not just an abuse of power; it is an abuse that is being carried out under a Yoruba presidency, one that many of us across the country supported out of hope for national healing, restructuring, and competence.

Instead, what we are witnessing is a presidency that looks away as its office is used to deepen Northern divisions, humiliate progressive voices, and prop up those who have kept the region—and by extension, the country—in chains.

As an Igbo observer, I have no ethnic stake in who sits on the Kano throne. But I have a stake in justice. And I have a stake in national cohesion. And right now, it must be said: this presidency is not only complicit in the destruction of Northern tradition and reform—it is laying the foundation for long-term distrust between the North and the South-West.

How can any honest Northerner with vision or values support another Yoruba presidency after this? How can the North believe that a Yoruba-led federal government will stand for fairness, if it allows itself to be a tool in internal Hausa-Fulani factional disputes?

Let me remind our Yoruba brothers and sisters: when power is used to destroy your allies in other regions, it may win you short-term praise from those who benefit. But the price is long-term alienation. And if those now benefiting from Sanusi’s humiliation think they are strengthening themselves, they are mistaken. They are destroying what remains of the North’s moral credibility—and doing it in full view of the rest of the country.

We must not pretend this is neutral governance. It is partisan interference in traditional leadership. It is a betrayal of federal neutrality. And it is being carried out by a government that has made no real progress on the issues that matter to Nigerians—security, economy, justice—but finds the energy to go after a monarch whose only crime is his integrity.

This moment calls for all Nigerians—Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and others—to stand on the side of reason. The issue here is not Sanusi’s title. It is the future of how we relate to power, culture, and conscience in this country.

If this is what a Yoruba presidency does with federal authority, then many across the North—and indeed the rest of Nigeria—will begin to ask: was it ever really worth supporting?

Chuks Emeka writes from London.