CELEBRATING BAUCHI STATE AT 40 YEARS

MAP OF NIGERIA SHOWING BAUCHI STATE

It is with great pleasure and love for my state that i want to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the creation of our great state even though it came a bit late, but it is better late than never

Bauchi State, christened as the pearl of tourism and Mecca of sports will this Wednesday be celebrating 40 years of its existence after it was carved out from the then North Eastern State, on 3rd February, 1976.

Bauchi State with a population of over 4.6 million based on the 2006 national head count is recognized as home to stakeholders in the country who have shaped the history of this great nation.

Bauchi is a state synonymous with politicians of great repute as it is the proud state that has produced the first and only Prime Minister that Nigeria ever had.

It is equally home to the famous Yankari Resort which is tourists’ delight any time of the year with the wonderful Wikki Warm Spring that has constant temperature of 31 degree centigrade.

Formerly Game Reserve, Yankari Resort and Safari had its idea conceived in 1956 by the defunct Northern Nigerian Government which was realized in 1964 when it was also demarcated as protected area under the Bauchi native authority.
Yankari Game Reserve which covers an area of 2, 244 square kilometers of protected area that has one of the richest concentrations of wild life in the country had its doors opened to tourists also in 1964.

ELEPHANTS INSIDE THE YANKARI GAME

Bauchi In the 40 years of its existence as a state which is largely agrarian has witnessed the good, bad and ugly in its transformation journey to greatness with numerous developmental strides in virtually all spheres of human endeavor in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of its citizens.

Bauchi is a city in northeast Nigeria, the capital of Bauchi State, of the Bauchi Local Government Area within that State, and of the traditional Bauchi Emirate. It is located on the northern edge of the Jos Plateau, at an elevation of 616 m. The city has a population of 301,284 (2012). The Local Government Area covers an area of 3,687 km² and had a population of 493,810 at the time of the 2006 Census.

According to tradition, it was named for a hunter known as Baushe, who settled in the region before the arrival of Yakubu, the first traditional ruler of Bauchi emirate (founded 1800–10).

In Hausa the word Bauchi means the land of freedom and tourism. Bauchi and Adamawa were the two main sources of freedom and tourism for the Fulani empire of Sokoto.

History

What is now known as Bauchi was until 1976 a province in the then North-Eastern State of Nigeria. According to the 2006 census, the state has a population of 4,653,066.

Bauchi State has gone through tremendous transformation over the years. The Ajawa language was spoken in Bauchi State, but became extinct between 1920 and 1940 as speakers switched to Hausa.^[3]

During the colonial era up to independence, it formed part of the Bauchi Plateau of the then Northern Region, until the 1967 state creation exercise, when the Bauchi, Borno, and Adamawa provinces constituted the former North-Eastern State.

With the creation of Bauchi State in 1976, then comprising present Bauchi and Gombe States, it included 16 local government areas. The number of local government areas in the then Bauchi State was increased to 20 and later to 23. However, in 1997 when Gombe State was created out of Bauchi and additional local governments were created in the country, Bauchi State was left with 20 local government areas as shown below.

Sharia law was adopted in June 2001.^[4]

The city was founded by Yaqub ibn Dadi, the only non-Fulani flag-bearer of the Sokoto Empire. The name was derived from a hunter called Baushe, who advised Yaqub to build his city west of the Warinje mountain. In return Yaqub promised to name his city after the hunter.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is buried in the city, while the Yankari National Park is 110 km from the state capital. The city lies on the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri railway line. The Bauchi State Library Board was established in 1976.

TOMB OF SIR ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA

List of Governors of Bauchi State

This is a list of administrators and governors of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Bauchi State was formed in 1976-02-03 when North-Eastern State was divided into Bauchi, Borno, and Gongola states.

Name	Title	Took Office	Left Office	Party	Notes
Mohammed Kaliel	Governor	March 1976	July 1978	(Military)
Garba Duba	Governor	July 1978	October 1979	(Military)
Tatari Ali	Governor	October 1979	December 1983	NPN
Mohammed Sani Sami	Governor	January 1984	August 1985	(Military)
Chris Abutu Garuba	Governor	August 1985	December 1987	(Military)
Joshua Madaki	Governor	December 1987	August 1990	(Military)
Abu Ali	Governor	August 1990	January 1992	(Military)
Dahiru Mohammed	Governor	January 1992	November 1993	NRC
James Kalau	Administrator	9 December 1993	14 September 1994	(Military)
Rasheed Adisa Raji	Administrator	14 September 1994	22 August 1996	(Military)
Theophilus Bamigboye	Administrator	22 August 1996	August 1998	(Military)
Abdul Mshelia	Administrator	August 1998	May 1999	(Military)
Adamu Mu'azu	Governor	29 May 1999	29 May 2007	PDP
Isa Yuguda	Governor	29 May 2007	29 May 20	ANPP	Decamped officially to PDP 27 June 2009
Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar	Governor	29 May 2007	Present	APC

Local Government Areas

Bauchi State consists of twenty (20) Local Government Areas (LGAs). They are:

LGA	Area (km2)	Census 2006 population	Administrative capital	Postal code
Bauchi	3,687	493,810	Bauchi	740
Tafawa Balewa	2,515	219,988	Bununu	740
Dass	535	89,943	Dass	740
Toro	6,932	350,404	Toro	740
Gololo	894	84,215	Gololo	741
Ningi	4,625	387,192	Ningi	742
Warji	625	114,720	Warji	742
Ganjuwa	5,059	280,468	Kafin Madaki	742
Kirfi	2,371	147,618	Kirfi	743
Alkaleri	5,918	329,424	Alkaleri	743
Southern region totals	33,161	2,497,782
Darazo	3,015	251,597	Darazo	750
Misau	1,226	263,487	Misau	750
Giade	668	156,969	Giade	750
Shira	1,321	234,014	Yana	750
Jama'are	493	117,883	Jama'are	751
Katagum	1,436	295,970	Azare	751
Itas/Gadau	1,398	229,996	Itas	751
Zaki	1,476	191,457	Katagum	752
Gamawa	2,925	286,388	Gamawa	752
Damban	1,077	150,922	Damban	752
Northern region totals	15,035	2,178,683

Geography

Geography

Bauchi State occupies a total land area of 49,119 km² representing about 5.3% of Nigeria’s total land mass and is located between latitudes 9° 3' and 12° 3' north and longitudes 8° 50' and 11° east.

The state is bordered by seven states, Kano and Jigawa to the north, Taraba and Plateau to the south, Gombe and Yobe to the east and Kaduna to the west.

Bauchi state is one of the states in the northern part of Nigeria that span two distinctive vegetation zones, namely, the Sudan savannah and the Sahel savannah. The Sudan savannah type of vegetation covers the southern part of the state. Here, the vegetation gets richer and richer towards the south, especially along water sources or rivers, but generally the vegetation is less uniform and grasses are shorter than what grows even farther south, that is, in the forest zone of the middle belt.

The Sahel type of savannah, also known as semi-desert vegetation, becomes manifest from the middle of the state as one moves from the state's south to its north. This type of vegetation comprises isolated stands of thorny shrubs.

On the other hand, the southwestern part of the state is mountainous as a result of the continuation of the Jos Plateau, while the northern part is generally sandy.

The vegetation types as described above are conditioned by the climatic factors, which in turn determine the amount of rainfall received in the area. For instance, the rainfall in Bauchi state ranges between 1300 mm per annum in the south and only 700 mm per annum in the extreme north. This pattern is because in the West Africa sub-region, rains generally come from the south as they are carried by the southwesterlies. There is therefore a progressive dryness towards the north, culminating in the desert condition in the far north. So also is the case in Bauchi state.

Population

Bauchi State has a total of 55 tribal groups in which Hausa, Fulani, Gerawa, Sayawa, Jarawa, Kirfawa, Turawa Bolewa, Karekare, Kanuri, Fa'awa, Butawa, Warjawa, Zulawa, and Badawa are the main tribes. This means that they have backgrounds, occupational patterns, beliefs and many other things that form part of the existence of the people of the state.

There are cultural similarities in the people's language, occupational practices, festivals, dress and there is a high degree of ethnic interaction especially in marriage and economic existence. Some of the ethnic groups have joking relationships that exist between them, e.g. Fulani and Kanuri, Jarawa and Sayawa, etc.

may God continue to bless Bauchi state and our country Nigeria. AMEEN

MALAM SA’ADU ZUNGUR; THE UNSUNG HERO

Known by only few but unknown to many

A hero and a legend

A leading poet and a political activist

Of the pre-independence Nigeria

So great and popular during his time

His popularity was enhanced

With the help of his poem

Which tries to establish

A connection with the common man

Malam saadu zungur,

Is you that we remember

Malam saadu zungur,

Our teacher, our role model

Malam saadu zungur,

So honest and very religious

Malam saadu zungur,

THE UNSUNG HEROE

Now that we are here

Remembering and praying for you

The story of our heroes pass

Still lives well after their lifetime

But what about those behind the scene

THE UNSUNG HEROES

A versed scholar and a great hero

Does he not deserve even a remembrance?

Does he not deserve praise?

Does he not deserve immortalization?

so as not to forget his name

Well you know more than I

NAY! He deserves far more than

Just a mere street name after him

His service to his people is immeasurable

His morals are irrefutable

His manners are unquestionable

The determination he has is unspeakable

In western and Arabic education, he is knowledgeable

The words in his poems are enjoyable

 In every aspect they are compatible

His firm words are not miserable

But by all, appreciateable

HE IS THE UNSUNG HERO.

Destiny may not have chosen him

Fate must have overlooked him

But still he fought for his country

His memory still lives within us

And his poems echoes in our ears

We still missed him in our midst

We pray may the ALMIGHTY

In his infinite majesty

Protest him on the last day from thirsty

Admit him into jannatul firdausy

And make it his abode for eternity

Forgive our short comings

For we are all bound to make mistake

And your mercy has no measure

May you make him encounter

The members of his household

In the day of resurrection

Which is a promise in the book

That the righteous will be joined

With their loved ones

We pray for him to be among those

Here we come to the point of termination

Of the poem written so that

You can benefit from its contents

To be informed of whom really is the subject

HE IS THE UNSUNG HERO

To all those unsung heroes

This poem is just for you

An appreciation for all

That you have done to you people

Each and every day of your life

Malam saadu zungur,

Is you that we remember

Malam saadu zungur,

Our teacher, our role model

Malam saadu zungur,

So honest and very religious

Malam saadu zungur,

THE UNSUNG HEROE

Now that we are here

Remembering and praying for you

Oh dear reader with ability,

May the creator give you the ability

To follow the path of humanity

To serve our community

And Nigeria our country

For I see that, as a necessity

And a way of generosity

AMEE33N.

ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA, “FIRST SPEECH AS PRIME MINISTER” (1957).

By 1957 Nigeria was clearly on the path toward independence.  In preparation the British Government named Abubakar Tafawa Balewa the first Prime Minister of the soon to be independent nation in a power sharing agreement among the colony's three major political parties.  In the following radio address broadcasted to the Nigeria in September 1957,  Balewa accepts his new appointment and outlines the political future of the soon-to-be independent nation.  
This has been a great day for Nigeria, and, as the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria, I am proud to speak to my fellow-countrymen tonight. I am proud, and I am humble, too, when I think of the enormous responsibility which has been placed upon me, and my colleagues.
Today, we have set out on the last stage of our journey to Independence, and the next three years will see the culmination of a process which has been gathering momentum year by year, and will see us reaping the harvest of what we have sown. The success of the harvest will depend upon us, and that is why I am glad to speak to you tonight. Everyone of us has his part to play in the work of preparing Nigeria for Independence on the 2nd of April, 1960. I want everyone in Nigeria to realise that this is no easy task, and it cannot be performed by the Federal and Regional Ministers and legislators alone. It is a task for everyone of you because it is only by the personal effort of each individual that Independence for the Federation can become a reality in 1960.
We have declared our intention of attaining Independence for the Federation on the 2nd of April, 1960, and if we wish to take our place among the responsible nations of the world, we must make every effort to see that this aim is achieved, and achieved with an international reputation for good internal government.
Nigeria has now reached a critical stage in her history. We must seize the opportunity which has been offered to us to show that we are able to manage our own affairs properly. Every Nigerian, whatever his status, and whatever his religion, has his or her share to contribute to this crucial task. I appeal to all my countrymen and women to cooperate with me and my colleagues to create a better understanding among our peoples, to establish mutual respect, and trust, among all our tribal groups, and to unite in working together for the common cause, the cause for which no sacrifice will be too great.
I am convinced, and I want you also to be convinced, that the future of this vast country must depend, in the main, on the efforts of ourselves to help ourselves. This we cannot do if we do not work together in unity. Indeed, unity today is our greatest concern, and it is the duty off everyone of us to work so that we may strengthen it. This morning I said in the House of Representatives that bitterness due to political differences would carry Nigeria nowhere, and I appealed to the political leaders throughout the country to control their party extremists. To you who are listening tonight I repeat that appeal—Let us put away bitterness and go forward in friendship to Independence.
To further this overriding need for unity, my colleagues in the Council of Ministers and I have decided to give the country a lead by inviting the leaders of the Action Group to form with us a truly National Government composed of members of the main parties in the Country, and here I must pay tribute to Dr Azikiwe, to Chief Awolowo, Dr Endeley and to the leader of my own party, the Sardauna of Sokoto, for supporting me in this decision. I and my Colleagues of the N.C.N.C. and N.P.C. bold out our hands in welcome to the Action Group members of the Council and I promise you that we shall do our utmost to ensure that the deliberations of the Council are held in an atmosphere devoid of strife and narrow party prejudice.
And now I would like to say a word to the civil service. We are grateful to all the civil servants, through whose work the country has reached the present stage of political development. I know that every constitutional advance puts a great strain on the civil service. Not only is there additional work to be done, but some officers find it hard to accept the new changes, but I must emphasize that Nigeria has today taken another important step forward, and if we are to succeed we must have the loyalty of all Nigerian and expatriate officers in this vital period before self-government is achieved. I should like to reassure all our expatriate staff of our continued Sincerity in the pledges given over the last few years and to promise them that they need have no fears about their future. Their aim and our aim remains what it has always been—the welfare and prosperity of Nigeria. Our political advance will be of no value if it is not supported by economic progress. It is therefore most important that the development plans throughout the country should be carried out with vigour in order that we may have a proper financial standing when, in three years’ time, we ask the world to regard us as an independent self-governing nation.
I would like to remind you of what a great American once said. It was this, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. This statement is as true for Nigeria today as it has been for any other country. The peoples of Nigeria must be united to enable this country to play a full part in shaping the destiny of mankind. On no account should we allow the selfish ambitions of individuals to jeopardise the peace of the thirty-three million law-abiding people of Nigeria. It is the duty of all of us to work for unity and encourage members of all our communities to live together in peace and harmony. The way to do this is to create understanding, mutual respect and trust. It is important that we should first show respect to each other before asking the world to respect us.
Well—it is time for me to wish you good night, but first I would Once more tell you how absolutely vital it is for your future and the future Nigeria which your children will inherit that, during this interim period before Independence we should be united. Let us be honest with ourselves, and let us be sincere—we know what we want, and we are sure that we can get it, and get it at the right time, provided we are not delayed by selfish quarrels. At a time like this, we must all turn our minds to Almighty God and seek His guidance and assistance—by His grace, we shall succeed.
Sources:

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mr. Prime Minister: A Selection of Speeches Made by Alhaji the Right Honourable Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Apapa: Nigerian National Press, Ltd., 1964).

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE.

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria.

Early life and career

Abubakar Balewa was born late in 1912 in Bauchi, the son of a Bageri Muslim district head in the Bauchi divisional district of Lere. Although it is widely (incorrectly) presumed that he was Hausa, Balewa's father Yakubu Dan Zala was in fact of Bageri Baggara ethnicity, and his mother Fatima Inna was Fulani.
He started early education at the Koranic School in Bauchi and like most of his contemporaries, he studied at the Katsina College for further education and soon acquired his teaching certificate. He returned to Bauchi to teach at the Bauchi Middle School. In 1944, along with a few learned teachers from the north, he was chosen to study abroad for a year at the University of London's Institute of Education, which today forms part of University College London. Upon returning to Nigeria, he became an Inspector of Schools for the colonial administration and later entered politics. He was elected in 1946, to the colony's Northern House of Assembly, and to the Legislative Assembly in 1947. As a legislator, he was a vocal advocate of the rights of northern Nigeria, and together with Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, who held the hereditary title of Sardauna of Sokoto, he founded the Northern People's Congress (NPC).

From self-government to independence

Balewa administration

Balewa entered the government in 1952 as Minister of Works, and later served as Minister of Transport. In 1957, he was appointed Chief Minister, forming a coalition government between the NPC and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. He retained the post as Prime Minister when Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and was reelected in 1964.
Prior to Nigeria's independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 had adopted a regional political framework for the country, with all regions given a considerable amount of political freedom. The three regions then were composed of diverse cultural groups. The premiers and some prominent leaders of the regions later took on a policy of guiding their regions against political encroachment from other regional leaders. Later on, this political environment influenced the Balewa administration. His term in office was turbulent, with regional factionalism constantly threatening his government.
However, as Prime Minister of Nigeria, he played important roles in the continent's formative indigenous rule. He was an important leader in the formation of the Organisation of African Unity and creating a cooperative relationship with French speaking African countries. He was also instrumental in negotiations between Moise Tshombe and the Congolese authorities during the Congo Crisis of 1960–1964. He led a vocal protest against the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 and also entered into an alliance with Commonwealth ministers who wanted South Africa to leave the Commonwealth in 1961. However, a treason charge and conviction against one of the western region's leaders, Obafemi Awolowo, led to protest and condemnation from many of his supporters. The 1965 election in the region later produced violent protests. Rioting and violence were soon synchronous with what was perceived as inordinate political encroachment and an over-exuberant election outcome for Awolowo's western opponents.
As Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, from 1960 to 1961, doubled as Foreign Affairs advocate of Nigeria. In 1961, the Balewa government created an official Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in favour of Jaja Wachuku who became, from 1961 to 1965, the first substantive Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs.

Honours

In January 1960, Balewa was knighted by Elizabeth II as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield in May, 1960.

Overthrow

He was overthrown and murdered in a military coup on January 15, 1966, as were many other leaders, including his old companion Ahmadu Bello. The circumstances of his death still remain unresolved. His body was discovered at a roadside near Lagos six days after he was ousted from office. Balewa was buried in Bauchi. News of his assassination spurred violent riots throughout Northern Nigeria and ultimately led to the bloody counter-coup of July 1966.

Today, his portrait adorns the 5 Naira Note. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi is named in his honour.