SIR ALHAJI AHMADU BELLO, THE SARDAUNA OF SOKOTO: THE LEGEND (I)

“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.”  ― Jane Austen.

The 50th Anniversary of the Death of Sir Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, the grandson of Usman Dan Fodio and Premier of the Northern Region which is coming up on 16^th January 2016 (as you can all remember that Sardauna was assassinated in the early morning hours of 16^th January 1966, when He was still serving as premier of Northern Nigeria at the time ) is an occasion to mark yet another crossroads in the History of Northern Nigeria and indeed Nigeria and Africa in general. It is undoubtedly a sad moment yet a momentous occasion, one that calls for Prayers, reflection, understanding and brotherhood...and one that calls for action, a collective resolve to resurrect Gamji in his wisdom and believes that every Nigerians, and human beings are created equal, that they are endowed by God with rights among which are life, liberty, equal opportunity, blessings and the legitimate pursuit of happiness.

Ahmadu bello believed in hard work and setting priorities and goals. But underlying the efforts and intentions of man, is the will of God. He believes he will not die a minute before or after his allotted time. This gives him the courage to undertake what he believes he must do in his remaining time. He is not one to linger in philosophical reflection. He is a man of action, and  often moves from a gut-level reaction to events. He believes he should set an example of how a Muslim should live, and die. The legacy of the Shehu and Bello has caught up with him. He wants to be one with them. He wants to recapture the simplicity of his early life. He wants to give away his worldly possessions. He wants to make his peace. It is from these values that he has drawn his strength to lead. Through his endeavour he helps to shape the future of Nigeria. That the worst we can do, the ultimate worst we can do is to do nothing to live his legacies. We owe it to ourselves, our children and grandchildren to cherish and live the Legacy of Sardauna.

 I therefore see it necessary to look back at thr life of a legend so that learn alot of things from his life time from different angles;which include political, Traditional Leadership,Civil Service, Development Strategy,Religious Issues, Consolidation of Community; and Values and Symbols of Leadership perspectives.

 

    

Sir, Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto, was the son of Ibrahim Mai Rabah, grandson of Sultan Atiku, great grandson of Sultan Bello, and great grandson of that Famous Islamic Scholar and reformer Shehu  Usman  ibn Fodiyo, the Mujaddadi, the Amirul Muminin and founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.

According to official Records the Sardauna was born in Rabah town in Sokoto State in 1910 (some sources say 12 June, 1909). He received both Islamic and western Education. From 1915-1917 he attended the Qur’anic School at home, where he learnt the Qur,an, Fikh and Sunna of the Prophet (SAW), between 1917 and 1926 he attended the Sokoto Middle School. From 1926-1931 he was at the famous Katsina Training College, the precursor to Barewa College. In those days traveling from Rabah to Katsina, a distance of about 170miles, took seven days to trek. At the college, he was the Prefect and Captain of Fives and he was an excellent batsman and bowler in the Cricket team. He completed his course with Flying Colours.

Upon return to Sokoto in 1931, he was posted to teach at his Alma Mata, the Sokoto Middle School, where he remained until 1934. In 1938 he was conferred with the Prestigious Title of Sardauna of Sokoto and deployed to Gusau with responsibility for Eastern Division of Sokoto Province and Comprising Fourteen of the Forty-Seven Districts in the Province. In 1944, he returned to Sokoto as the Chief Secretary to the Sokoto Native Authority and chief Advisor to the Sultan. Opportunity for him to visit overseas came in 1948 when he attended a course in local Government in United Kingdom (UK).
         An Arabic proverb says: "الجايات أحسن من الرايحات   "What is coming is better than what is gone" we wish to see some people Amoung our own Generation becoming like the late Sardauna, imbibing his characteristics and mannerisms, that can only be achieved if we how what his biography is, how he lives with his family and friends, how he does his politics, is it like the one we are practicing nowadays or is otherwise.

  This brought us to the end of the first episode which is just the introduction, i would like to drop my pen here, till we meet in the subsequent episodes that will be coming after this one by the grace of ALLAH.