Kano State

By Dr. Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad

The late Malam Ahmad Garba Amin (1962-2024) was a remarkable individual I first met in the 1990s as my secondary school Islamic Studies teacher. Subsequently, he rose to the post of Vice Principal before being transferred to the Kano State Welfare Pilgrims Board as a Director of Operations, a position he held for almost a decade. He later moved to the Kano State Sharia Commission, where he finally retired. 

I became close to Malam Ahmad during school and after graduation. He used to ask about my progress in Quranic education even years after my bachelor’s degree. I introduced him to my parents, and we became a family. Gratefully, he made a significant impact on my life to the extent that he was behind some of my achievements – Alhamdulillah. 

When the news of his death broke out to me on Thursday, 5^th September 2024 (2^nd Rabiul Awal, 1446), I reacted by saying, “Innalillahi wa inna Ilaihi Rajiun” as it is the only action that can relieve me of that material time. After confirmation, I shared it on my platforms, where I received many condolence messages and prayers. What also consoled me was the kind of lovely comments I have received from many who knew him and those who did not know him. Alhamdulillah. 

Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik, that a group of the Prophet (SAW)’s companions were sitting with him when some people came and passed by them carrying a corpse. Some of the people sitting around the Prophet (SAW) made nice comments about the dead person, and the Prophet (SAW) promptly reacted, saying, “Confirmed” (wajib). A similar scenario happened, but on the contrary, the comments were nasty, and the Prophet (SAW) reacted by saying, “Confirmed” (wajib). Wondering why the Prophet said so, the companions asked him for an explanation. 

In the case of the first corpse, the Prophet said what it meant was that their comments about him thus confirmed his entry to Paradise (al-Jannah). The same thing applied to the second person for whom Hellfire was confirmed similarly. The Prophet further explained to them the significance/implications of the comments that people usually make about the dead by either extolling their virtues or otherwise saying bad things about them. He said, “You are the witnesses of Allah on earth (against His servants).”

Allahu Akbar! Whoever knew Mal. Ahmad could testify that he was deeply involved in promoting social welfare and peace in the community. This earned him respect among the youths, women, and elderly, as I noticed every time I visited him, especially during his daily teaching of Islamic books (taalim) outside their family house. 

He was the former Chairman of Safinatul Khair Foundation, which, to my knowledge, is one of the few community-based organisations that have contributed to the socio-economic development of his community. The foundation has a special scheme for education for children through scholarships, extramural classes for candidates who intend to sit for WAEC and NECO examinations, and job opportunities for youths, among others. In the aspects of social development, especially for widows and orphans, the Foundation, at a time, conducted a census of all widows in the area it covered and supported them. During my PhD studies, I interviewed him about their achievement, and I was so excited about it. 

On the aspect of health, the Foundation and Late Mal. Ahmad, in particular, was instrumental in setting up a clinic serving the people, especially the needy patients of Kofar Naisa and beyond. The clinic named after the foundation is the Safinatul Khair Foundation (Kofar Naisa PHC). Thanks to Dr Hassan Sulaiman Kofar Naisa, a resident of the area who worked under the office of the then Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammad Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), brought this project. 

According to my close associate Mal. Usman Muhammad (Dr. Shehu), the clinic is grade-A in primary health care. It is well equipped with an ambulance, solar system, and water system that serves patients 24/7 uninterruptedly. They invite medical personnel from neighbouring general and specialised hospitals like Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for weekly medical outreach and to settle the bills for the less privileged patients. 

As we mourn the loss of Mal. Ahmad, we pray that Allah accepts his legacies, forgives his shortcomings, and grants him entry into paradise. “Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Indeed, only Allah is the place of return. O Allah, record (the deceased) among the righteous, and place the record in the highest place. Replace the goodness for the family left behind. Do not make the reward forbidden, and do not test us after their departure.”

Dr. Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad is an associate professor in the Department of Economics at Bayero University Kano and a Visiting Scholar at the National University of Malaysia (UKM). He can be reached via alitahir797@gmail.com.

By Dr. Mansur Hassan

The Kwankwasiyya movement, founded and led by Senior Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has emerged as a dominant force in Nigerian politics, particularly in Kano State. With a reputation for championing transparency, good governance, and the empowerment of the masses, Kwankwasiyya has also developed a unique and highly effective method for selecting political candidates. This process reflects the movement’s deep-rooted commitment to democracy, grassroot participation, and merit-based leadership.

A Thoughtful Approach to Candidate Selection

At the heart of the Kwankwasiyya movement’s political ideology is the belief that leadership should reflect the will of the people while upholding competence, dedication, and integrity. In line with these principles, the movement has designed a multi-layered process for selecting candidates for both primary and secondary elections, ensuring that only the best and most qualified individuals are chosen to represent the party.

The selection process begins at the local level, where the local government caucuses play a crucial role. The caucus engages in a consensus-building exercise among the aspirants within the constituency. This initial step underscores the movement’s emphasis on local representation and grassroots decision-making, allowing the community to participate in choosing those who will best serve their interests.

In cases where the consensus fails and the local leadership is unable to agree on a single candidate, a screening process is initiated. This screening is designed to assess the qualifications, leadership capabilities, and electability of the aspirants. The goal is to streamline the number of candidates, ensuring that only the most capable individuals advance to the next stage.

The Role of the National Leader

Once the screening process is complete, the shortlisted candidates are presented to the national leader, Senior Dr. Kwankwaso, for final review. Here, the movement’s supreme leader plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the selected candidates align with the values and vision of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Dr. Kwankwaso, with his vast political experience and insight, assesses whether the shortlisted candidates truly reflect the will and aspirations of the people. If there is any indication that the candidates do not align with popular sentiment, the national leader has the authority to call for further changes, ensuring that the process remains fair and representative.

However, when the consensus and the screening process successfully produce a candidate that meets both the local caucus’s approval and the movement’s broader ideological standards, the national leader endorses the candidate. This method guarantees that the selected candidates are not only popular but also competent, ethical, and aligned with the movement’s long-term vision for societal progress and development.

An Open Democratic Platform

Despite the careful and thoughtful selection process, the Kwankwasiyya movement remains committed to upholding democracy within the party. For any aspirant who feels dissatisfied with the outcome of the selection process, the opportunity to contest in the party primaries remains open. This option ensures that all candidates have a fair chance to present their case to the party’s larger membership, maintaining transparency and inclusivity within the movement.

This democratic safety valve is another reason why Kwankwasiyya’s method of candidate selection stands out. It allows for robust internal debate and competition while ultimately reinforcing party unity and strength.

A Cornerstone of Political Dominance

The Kwankwasiyya movement’s candidate selection process is a key factor behind its sustained political dominance in Kano State and its growing influence across Nigeria. The movement’s ability to produce competent, popular, and well-prepared candidates has earned it the trust of the people. The process ensures that leadership emerges from a foundation of integrity, merit, and accountability, reflecting the movement’s broader commitment to progressive governance.

Beyond mere electoral success, the Kwankwasiyya movement represents a political ideology that is centered on empowering the masses, fostering development, and ensuring that governance is responsive to the needs of the people. Its candidate selection process is a reflection of this ideology, ensuring that leadership is not imposed but earned through consensus, merit, and democratic principles.

Conclusion

The Kwankwasiyya movement, under the guidance of Senior Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has set an exemplary standard for political organization and candidate selection. By balancing grassroots participation with strong national leadership, the movement has created a model that ensures only the best candidates emerge, reinforcing its dominance and appeal. As Kwankwasiyya continues to grow in influence, its political ideology and practices will undoubtedly shape the future of Nigerian politics, setting a standard for others to follow.

Mansur Hassan, PhD
Secretary, Kwankwasiyya movement
Kano state.

By Anwar Usman

The nationwide protest organized by Nigerians purposely to highlight the sufferings and hard times that Nigerians are going through was later turned into thuggery, which resulted in vandalizing government properties and stealing people’s belongings.

Everyone who attends the gathering knows precisely what happened and who is responsible for the vandalization during the peaceful protest. It’s unfortunate that some people who didn’t even partake in the protest but only witnessed some part of the event on social media concluded that the protesters were the ones responsible for the vandalization of government properties and went ahead to fault this same youth who is agitating for good governance and food security.

I joined the peaceful demonstration as a citizen to exercise my democratic and civic rights. The demonstration began peacefully, with youth raising placards containing various inscriptions telling the government what was necessary. I also witnessed many instances where the same youth advocated for a peaceful demonstration by warning those trying to cause havoc or unnecessary problems.

It was not until after the address by the governor of Kano state that some angry youth were said to have joined the demonstration and vandalized the NCC office that’s yet to be commissioned. How is it possible for people who want the government to listen to their yearnings and aspirations to end up in this barbaric act? 

A lot of misinformation on social media claimed that this youth initially organized the demonstration to loot. But this opinion is strictly for those who think citizens should not tell the government the difficulties they’re going through through protest. These people are very well aware of the situation in the north and Nigeria.

In reality, these thugs were hired to disrupt the demonstration process. Is there any place that one can find rocks of the same size on a state road? How do the rocks get there? How could there be a political gathering while the protest is ongoing? This tells you that these uneducated thugs were hired to fault and disrupt the demonstration process due to some political reasons I wouldn’t like to mention here.

Look, this demonstration tells you how angry and hungry people are, especially the youth around 20-25 years of age. Although this is a planned demonstration, a time is coming when no one can stop these youth from expressing their anger. Youths were coming out in thousands to express their concern about what has been happening for a year now.

If you think the protest is the main cause of what happened, does that mean people should not participate? Everyone knows the danger of following the Kaduna-Abuja road due to kidnapping and banditry, but does that stop people from following the road? Don’t they want their lives? What about the people of Katsina who are now friends of bandit? 

The vandalization shouldn’t be the yardstick for generalizing these youth who are out to secure their future. If the protest is a means to express dissatisfaction over the government’s inability to meet certain demands, then people must partake,even if that can change their lives. 

Even in the US, the mother of democracy, during the protests, people carried out such acts (not stealing). Assume I’m lying, but fact-check what I said.

The question left unanswered is, where do you think Nigerian youth can find hope, and through what process? This is a democratic era. People must exercise their democratic rights before their leaders can listen to them.

Imagine a country where the president is publicizing that he has no CABAL or a SPONSOR! That is to say, the moment he assumed office, Nigerians were sold to him by the delegates of his political party, and no one could influence his decisions, positively or negatively.

I sympathize with the victims who lost their properties and some lives in the process of the protest, but this shouldn’t be the end. You must lose something to get something, and hopefully, the end of the struggle will yield a positive result.

It’s a time for Nigerian youth to abstain from drugs and vandalism. Do not let anyone use you to cause havoc and dump you in a dustbin. Think for yourselves, attend school, and build your future because success is yours.

The people behind this thuggery sent their children abroad, schooling in the world’s first-class universities, whereas the sons of the common person are dealing with drugs, joblessness, and uncertainties of life.

The government should use what happened in Kano as a case study. It’s always said that “a hungry man is an angry man.” The government should try to listen to Nigerians’ yearnings and provide immediate solutions to their sufferings. If not, no one can dare stop these youth the next time they’ll be on the street in the name of protest.

God bless Nigeria. May Nigerian succeed, amin.

Anwar Usman Hassan wrote from Kano via usmananwarhassan@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Police Command has apprehended 873 suspects implicated in armed robbery, kidnapping, and other offences in the wake of the recently concluded nationwide protests.

These individuals, arrested from various locations across the state, were presented to the media at the command’s headquarters in Kano on Monday. 

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salma Dogo, highlighted the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and safeguarding citizens’ rights to peaceful protest as key factors in these arrests.

Mr Dogo stated that 600 suspects were arrested during the protests for a range of offences in different parts of Kano State. 

Additionally, 150 individuals were detained for breaching the curfew, while six suspects were linked to orchestrating destruction and looting at the Kano State Printing Press.

Furthermore, the police arrested 76 individuals, including a foreign tailor, for displaying Russian flags and confiscated two AK-47 rifles along with other significant assets. 

Among those arrested were two suspected kidnappers, five suspected armed robbers, and eight suspected car thieves, with a Beretta pistol also being recovered.

The police commissioner also mentioned that the command successfully rescued 13 victims of human trafficking. 

He assured the public that the suspects would face legal proceedings once investigations are concluded.

Mr Dogo urged the public to assist by providing intelligence information to help apprehend criminals. 

He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to proactively collaborating with other security agencies to address security threats.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano State Council inaugurated its newly elected executives on August 10, 2024. 

Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, Secretary of NUJ Zone A, disclosed this information in a statement on Sunday, which The Daily Reality obtained.

Kaura emphasised that the event showcased unity and commitment, with notable dignitaries from various sectors in attendance. 

This turnout underscored the Union’s crucial role in promoting professional journalism in Nigeria.

The statement read, “The ceremony featured the Vice President of NUJ Zone A, Muhammad Tukur Umar, who represented the National President, Chief (Dr.) Chris Isiguzo. 

“In his keynote address, Tukur Umar emphasised the need for the new leaders to prioritise the welfare and unity of NUJ members. 

“He called for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity during their tenure to ensure effective and impactful leadership.”

Representing the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, was the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Dantiye. 

Dantiye congratulated the newly inaugurated executives in his remarks and pledged the government’s support. 

“He urged the leaders to seize this opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth and development of journalism in Kano State,” the statement continued.

Comrade Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, Zonal Secretary of NUJ Zone A administered the oath of office. 

The event was attended by a distinguished array of guests, including the Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Commissioner of Justice, and the National President of NAWOJ. 

“Their presence added to the significance and colour of the occasion,” the statement added.

Kaura concluded, “The inauguration of the NUJ Kano State Council Executives is seen as a pivotal moment for the Union, with expectations high for the new leadership to uphold the values of dedication and integrity while working towards the Union’s growth and the betterment of its members.”

By Uzair Adam

As poor Nigerians protest against hunger and biting economic hardship, another hardship has emerged, with foodstuff prices skyrocketing in markets following the relaxation of curfew by some state governments.

In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, through an announcement by the Kano Police Commissioner, Dogo Salman, relaxed the curfew from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., contrary to the previous 24-hour directive and the subsequent 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. order.

The Daily Reality learned that some local shops had begun to run out of foodstuffs due to the market closures during the hunger protests, fearing attacks from the aggrieved demonstrators who often targeted anything in their path.

As jubilation turns to grief

People were ecstatic following the return to normalcy in the state and the relaxation of the curfew. This led the leadership of the Singa market to reopen for business.

However, the initial joy quickly turned to disappointment as buyers encountered increased foodstuff prices, sparking outrage and accusations of profiteering.

A householder, Malam Ibrahim Umar, condemned the price hikes as unreasonable and merciless.

Not only government is our problem

Umar stated that it is high time that people understand that the trouble with Nigeria is not always from the government side but also us as individuals.

He said, “We must understand that we must change ourselves first. Looking at how the government is treating people, how protesters steal and vandalize properties worth millions of naira, and how our businessmen increase prices so unreasonably, it is enough for us to understand that we are the problem of our country.”

Another household member, Abubakar Umar, also shared Umar’s belief, “We need to change first as these people we are always complaining about are from among us.”

A mother of ten, Hafsat S. Shu’aibu, decried the price increase, calling on market leaders to address the root of the problem, saying, “This is too much for the poor to bear.”

As hope dies

Shu’aibu added that she has begun to lose hope that Nigeria will improve, as the problems stem from multiple sources.

She added, “People should repent to Allah and strive to change themselves because marketers and the government are not from a different world – they come from within us.”

Another household, Nuhu Adamu, lamented that despite the youth protests, he thought things would improve and the government would take steps to alleviate the suffering of the masses, but to no avail.

He stated, “After the protest against hardship, now comes another hardship that only God can save us from, as prices rise and rarely decrease in Nigeria.”

Snacks, bakery business at risk

Another person, Abdulmajid Abubakar, said bakery and snacks businesses are at risk as the price of flour, sold at 63,000 before, increased to 80,000.

He said that with the increase in the price of flour and other ingredients, they have no option but to either decrease the size of the snacks or increase the cost.

He said, “I was so disappointed to know about the increment. It is so ridiculous and unreasonable. We are pleading for government intervention.”

Game of blame

When contacted, the Chairman of the Singa market, Alhaji Junaidu Zakari, denied the increase in foodstuff prices, claiming the problem originated with dealers.

He said, “We have received numerous complaints from people and are working hard to address the issue. However, the increase is not from us but from the dealers.”

“As of now, we have started collecting remittances from our traders and dealers to determine the source of the problem,” he added.

However, a local trader who visited the market yesterday to purchase goods refuted the Chairman’s claims.

The person who wished to remain anonymous said, “They have been doing this to us and ultimately make us quarrel with people. They increase the prices first, which justifies our price increases, as business is about profit.”

We can’t fold our hands over artificial inflation

The increment in the price of foodstuffs and the recent alleged artificial inflation have prompted people to register complaints with the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission to intervene.

The Daily Reality recalled that just a few days before the nationwide protest, the commission’s Chairman, Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the commission would not stand idly by over the alleged artificial inflation in the state.

Rimin Gado spoke when people bitterly complained about the hike in the price of bread and alleged artificial inflation in the price of foodstuffs in the state, vowing not to remain idle in the face of the alleged inflation by some traders in the market.

Rimin Gado said the commission was working tirelessly to understand the root cause of the inflation and would take even “extraordinary measures to combat the menace if necessary.”

The Daily Reality learned that Rimin Gado’s assertion gave people hope at that time, and they are now looking forward to the commission’s interventions.

By Anas Abbas

In a bid to restore normalcy, the Kano State government has ordered all the state’s civil servants to resume work immediately, following a relaxation of curfew hours by 12 hours.

According to a press release by Bintu Nuhu Yakasai, Director of Public Enlightenment in the Office of the Head of Service of the Kano State, the directive follows the state government’s decision to relax curfew hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Musa appealed to civil servants to report to their offices at the usual hour of 8:00 a.m. each day.

The Head of Service reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhancing the civil service and improving workers’ lives. He urged civil servants to redouble efforts to boost service delivery, striving for excellence in their roles.

He also stressed the need for civil servants to comply with the directive, returning to work immediately to ensure uninterrupted public services.

By Anas Abbas

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has inaugurated the Kano State Advisory Committee on the New National Minimum Wage to oversee the implementation of the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage in the state.

The committee, headed by Alh. Usman Bala Muhammad, Special Adviser to the Governor on State Affairs, has been tasked with presenting practical recommendations for the state government’s immediate implementation within three weeks.

Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo emphasized the committee’s responsibility to plan effectively for the newly approved minimum wage, stressing that the welfare of workers is a top priority for the government.

The committee comprises representatives from various state ministries and departments, including the Head of the Civil Service, Commissioner of Finance, Planning and Budget, Information and Internal Affairs, and other stakeholders.

Abba assured workers that the implementation of the new minimum wage would boost development across all sectors in Kano State.

The move follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the new national minimum wage, which is intended to improve the standard of living for Nigerian workers.

By Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu

I was not a History student but a student of history. My interest originated in my father, Dr. Muhammad Uba Adamu, a historian who really believed in the discipline. Further, it was a real anomaly in my education—that turned out fine for me—that although I was a science student in high school, we studied history in our set due to the lack of a physics teacher, which was just as well. I tried a semester of physics after high school, but I could not hack it. 

To me, history was better than Physics, which was and still is excellently boring. With History, I understood myself and my culture and could safeguard my heritage. With Physics, I would be forced to cram useless formulas, which I was led to believe were the intellectual heritages of dead White scientists. 

Despite being housed in the Faculty of Education, Bayero University Kano, since July 22, 1980, as a Graduate Assistant, I found myself drawn to History. It helped that the late Prof. John Lavers, who taught my father, was there. His purchase of an Amstrad desktop computer in around 1989, and my being the only person on the campus who mastered it, created a Moebius strip where I was teaching Prof. Lavers how to use it! Eventually, I had to come in contact with Prof. Philip Shea, who also knew my father as an administrator. 

My subsequent interactions with Prof. Lavers, Prof. Shea, and later Prof. Murray Last put me at an intersection of historical immersion. They further fuelled my interest in historical studies and anything related to Kano’s history. I started teasing Philip by calling him ‘Uncle Philip’, which he found irritating as he did not want to seem ‘old’. This was more so due to his closeness to my father. When in 2002 or thereabouts, my father publicly presented (I refuse to allow it to be ‘launched’) his book Confluences and Influences, Philip Shea wrote the review and read it during the presentation. 

With Philip Shea, life in Kano was not just economic history but also cultural history. His “Mallam Muhammad Bakatsine and the Jihad in Eastern Kano” (History in Africa 32 (2005), 371-383) is a brilliant appendix to the Kano Chronicle in the sense of filling in a lot of gaps not in the Chronicle. For one, it gave us a microscopic view of how a Joɓawa clan member, Malam Bakatsine from Takai town, mobilised the jihad forces fuelled by his understanding of Islam. 

Eventually, somehow or another, the British Council Kano engaged me as the Chairman of the Centre for Hausa Culture, which we established in 2003 to facilitate a series of Hausa traditional concerts on their behalf. I invited Philip to one of them on March 8, 2006, and had to drive him to the venue because he was virtually colour-blind at night and found it difficult to drive—too many full headlights, he told me.

I was, therefore, shocked when I learned of Philip Shea’s passing away barely a month later on April 5, 2006. I was in Saly, Senegal, for a Volkswagen Foundation activity then. It was a sad moment for me, for Philip was a truly wonderful person. I really doubted if he had any intentions of leaving Kano—so ingrained he was in the very social and economic fabric of Kano. He was involved in almost every activity of the Kano State Government, during which we always sat next to each other. 

For instance, he actively participated in the 2003 conference celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the late Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Ado Bayero. A proceeding of the conference, which I edited and for which he let the Communique team, was later published. He was also a prominent participant at the National Conference on 200 Years Since the Uthman Dan Fodio Jihad in Kano held at the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, Kano, Nigeria, 27-29 July 2004.

Philip was also a familiar face in quite a few Kano markets; his speciality was economic history. For instance, I met him several times when I visited the Garu market in Kumbotso. He was not actually buying anything but moving from stall to stall, observing, listening, and noting. He used to be followed by a gaggle of kids, but they eventually became used to him and left him alone. I, on the other hand, visited the market because my better half dragged me against my will, wish and desire for her to buy Kayan miya (groceries) as they were cheaper in that market – and I had to drive through a slowly flowing river Panshekara to get to the market!

For me, observing Philip in that market was a front-row lesson on Ethnography: to truly understand the flow of events, you need to be there—on the ground—not from afar. His writings on the economic history of Kano and, indeed, Hausa land, therefore, had a solid base. 

He published several articles in Nigerian and international journals on, among other subjects, the development of the dyeing industry in precolonial Kano, rural production, indirect rule, and the central Sudanese silk trade. His unpublished doctoral dissertation, “The Development of an Export-Oriented Dyed Cloth Industry in Kano Emirate in the Nineteenth Century” (Wisconsin, 1975), has become one of the most cited works on dyeing and textiles in Africa and a reference text in discussions of indigenous African textile practices.

Philip had mentored many generations of Historians. It was only befitting, therefore, that the whole constellation of Philips students and associates gathered together to honour his intellectual contribution to the economic history of northern Nigeria. This was realised in Economic and Social History of Northern Nigeria: Revisiting Milestones and Exploring New Frontiers: Essays in Honour of the late Professor Phillip James Shea. 

The book was ‘launched’ on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Dangote Business School auditorium, Bayero University Kano New Campus. Despite it being a Sunday (and overcast), the hall was reasonably filled with many people—and not the ‘student fillers’ either, since although the university resumed classes on Monday, July 15, 2024, students have not fully resumed. 

The book, edited by his students led by Prof. Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir, Samaila Suleman and Kabiru Haruna Isa and published by Aboki Publishers), is undoubtedly a heavy reading with 874 pages. Divided into six sections with 40 papers, it covers a massive ground, from Environment to Riots, Slavery, Reforms, Settlement, to Migration. 

I will not even presume to review this book – leaving it to voracious readers like Shamsuddeen Sani to do that when he gets his stethoscope on a copy! There were standout papers. Murray Last’s “Note on the Economy of 19th Century Warfare in Hausaland” reminds us of the links between social disruptions and economic growth – even over a hundred years ago. Or the one about the brown sugar industry in Maƙarfi by Shehu Tijjani Yusuf. Want to learn about donkey trade (yes, donkeys!)? Then Abubakar Tukur Mohammed will guide you. Salafism and Social services are treated by one of what I term the ‘Zafafa Goma’ intellectual cluster of BUK, Kabiru Haruna Isa. And so on. 

No one, no book, no writer is perfect. My grouse? In this constellation of economic coverage, not one single paper has dealt with media and popular culture. Music (traditional and Afropop), Books (in whatever form), Films (love, hate, but can’t ignore Kannywood), and Media (Radio, TV, Newspapers, Social Media) were all seemingly ignored, as if economic history is only rooted in the past and only on commodities. And yet, one of the attention-grabbing parts of the book was ‘New Frontiers’. It seems that such a frontier was not to look ‘back to the future’. Oh, there is a paper on multinational publishers (Sani Yakubu Adam), but it was on the English book trade!

Warts and all, this book is, in my view, the most comprehensive summary and, at the same time, introduction to the uninitiated of the subject matter so far in our history. It is also a befitting reminder of the legacies of one of our time’s most important economic historians. 

By Abdulaziz Isah Bagwai

After the Asr prayer on a rainy Monday, Jummai, who was pregnant, was sweeping her courtyard when her daughter Laure returned from the river, where she went to fetch the water they would use for the chores. “Assalamu alaikum,” Laure greeted as she entered the house and poured the water she fetched in a rubber bucket into a large pot.

Jummai, an all-female mother of five, had prayed endlessly during the day and night for a male child, and since the miracle of this pregnancy, her prayers have doubled. She’d often wake up in the middle of the night to remind God of her prayers and to jokingly remind Him that He’d promised to answer good prayers. Hers was.

One night in September, Jummai began her labour with low and intensifying moans that woke Baban Laure, her husband, whose sleeping groans filled the noiseless room. “What’s happening? Are you well?” He inquired in a low, creaking tune. She couldn’t answer him, but in her moans, he understood she was calling God for aid into her large tummy, and when he grabbed his torchlight, he saw that she was holding the belly tightly.

Baban Laure rushed to his neighbour, Rakiya, a traditional birth attendant. Upon their arrival, Rakiya confirmed that it was labour, but the condition was beyond her basic skills; hence, he should take his wife to the primary health care facility in Bagwai.

Amidst preparation, Jummai continued to bleed, and Baban Laure suggested that “if not for the bleeding, we could manage to wait until the morning when the staff of our health post come.” Baban Laure suggested this to Rakiya, who was engrossed in controlling the seemingly unending bleeding. Baban Laure said they could only travel to Bagwai on bikes that night of misery because the only person who had a car wasn’t in town.

Jummai gave birth to a beautiful baby boy at around 4:00 a.m., whom she was unable to see immediately until the day broke. “Where’s my baby?” She asked. But the strolling tears in Rakiya’s eyes told her everything. The baby is dead, she understood, with a bit of desperation in her face. When the birth attendant was telling Rakiya to report on time in emergency cases like this because the baby died as a result of oxygen starvation, which was, of course, due to the excess blood she had lost, she understood that her baby was a boy. Before Rakiya arrived at her bed to calm the tears that formed rivers in her eyes, she lay there stranded, unconscious, and was admitted for two weeks!

What is behind the pause of Kwajale Comprehensive Health Center’s construction project?

Had this project been completed and launched today, there would’ve been a 24-hour medical service in this village, which could’ve saved the life of Jummai’s baby boy that she had wished and prayed for. 

“This project has put light on many faces in Kwajale, for it was initiated when our clinic and the services we rendered were insufficient for the community,” said Saifullahi, a healthcare worker at Kwajale Primary Health Post.

“When the construction started, we were assured that it wouldn’t take long to be completed, and we agreed to their assertion because they worked with an enthusiastic speed,” Saifullahi continued.

Who are the contractors?

It was a federal government project awarded in 2007 by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) to Mathan Nigeria Limited. This indigenous engineering company had quietly touched the lives of Nigerians long before it got caught in the eye of the storm because an April 2nd, 2012, Premium Times report stated that “Abandoned N37 billion health centre projects rot away nationwide.” However, “the contractor Mathan Nigeria Limited is insisting on a variation of the original contract sum.”

However, on October 24th, 2023, Platform Times reported that “After 16 years, ALGON disburses equipment to [an] abandoned hospital in Ogun [State].” Although this report might’ve meant ALGON was on another different project with a different contractor, the report continued to read, “The equipment, which was part of a federal government project awarded in 2007, was delivered to the health centre on Monday by a contractor, Mathan Nigeria Limited.”

Why the failed project in Kwajale is different

“We’re a little bit far from Bagwai [town], and we do not have good roads; referred patients suffer a lot [in the day, not to mention at night, and even in the dry season, speak less of the rainy season] along the way.” Malam Umar, a community member, lamented.

“We’ve been given classes to continue with our activities because the building meant for the primary health post has been under renovation for years now, but no progress has been made yet,” said Malama Aisha, the head of Kwajale Health Post.

“A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the United Nigerian Youth Forum (UNYF), has urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, other security agencies, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the contractor handling the construction of health centres across the country. The forum accused the contractor, Mathan Nigeria Limited, of abandoning the N57 billion contract, which the forum said had led to the deaths of many Nigerians.” Leadership news report.

Ali Muhammed, the UNYF’s spokesperson, alleged that the contractor’s negligence had caused the deaths of hundreds of expectant mothers who ought to have safely delivered their babies at the health facilities if the projects had been completed on time.

For 17 years now, the remedy for the continued pain like Jummai’s in Kwajale is still uncalled for; no medical condition is manageable at night in Kwajale, their bad roads are yet the same, and patients still suffer along the bicycle-and-motorcycle-only road.