Gwandu Emirates Council Honors 1st Female Professor of Maths from the Northwest & Others

Eminent personalities who have made significant contribution in Exemplary Leadership, Islamic Scholarship and Extraordinary Service to humanity were celebrated today at the 7th Abdullahi Fodio merit Award during which the emirate also launched a historical book, “Gwandu Emirate:The Domain Of Abdullahi Fodio Since 1805” . The awards are a function of the Gwandu Emirates Development Council GEDA.

Those honored are Former Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon Justice Idris Kutigi, Senator Aliyu Wamako, Col Sani Bello, HRH Lamdo Abdu Boboyi, Emir of Birnin Bayaro of Niger Republic as well as Chairman Daily Trust Mallam Kabir Yusuf. Others are Alh Abdulkadir Orire, Alh Usman Magawata former DG of NTA and the first female professor of mathematics from the Northwest Professor Aisha Abubakar.
Two organizations namely JAIZ BANK and KEBBI STATE ANCHOR BORROWERS PROGRAM were also shortlisted.

The chief hosts H.E. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and HRH the Emir of Gwandu Alhaji Mohammadu Iliyasu Bashar started receiving prominent guests at the Ahmadu Bello International airport in Birnin- Kebbi from 8am today Saturday 21st January, 2017.

President Mohammadu Buhari was represented by the honourable minister of Justice and AGF Barrister Abubakar Mallami SAN. Other personalities that attended include Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; the Executive Governors of Niger and Sokoto states Abubakar Sani Bello and Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Kebbi also welcomed His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto Abubakar Saad, Businessman Alhaji Dahiru Mangal amongst others.

Founded in 1808 by Abdullahi Fodio Gwandu Emirates is the largest of the 4 emirates of Kebbi. It’s original settlers were the Kebbawa, a subgroup of the Hausa people, the town was named for the surrounding gandu (“royal farmlands”) that formerly belonged to Muhammadu Kanta, who founded the Kebbi kingdom in the 16th century.

Fulani herdsmen grazed cattle in Kebbi territory for centuries, but it was not until the era (1804–12) of the Fulani jihad that Gwandu become an important town. In 1805, Usman dan Fodio, the jihad leader, moved the jihad headquarters from Sabongari to Gwandu. After the Fulani victory over the Gobirawa at Alkalawa in 1808, Usman split his vast empire, which then extended over most of what is now northern and central Nigeria, into two spheres of influence. He made his brother Abdullahi dan Fodio emir of Gwandu and overlord of the western and southern emirates (1809) and placed his son Mohammed Bello in charge of the eastern emirates.

Vassal emirates that The Gwandu emirate received tribute from include Nupe, Ilorin, Yauri, Agaie, Lafiagi, and Lapai. The emirate was however reduced in size by cessions to French West Africa after the British arrived in 1907.

Notwithstanding, The Emir of Gwandu remains the third most important Muslim traditional leader in Nigeria, following only the sarkin musulmi of Sokoto and the shehu of Bornu.

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