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BIOGRAPHY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATE ALHAJI AHMADU
ANBABA (MARAFAN SOKOTO) TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF
EDUCATION IN THE SOKOTO CALIPHATE.
Written by
Abubakar Umar Lawal
S
tudy of history is very important, because among other things
history tells you about people and event so that you can learn
from the interplay of individuals and groups, people and
environment. These elements can help you in your current
situation and environment. Indeed in time like ours we need to
learn about the attributes of people like late Alhaji Ahmadu
[anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) and try to emulate him. Hence, this
article would brief the readers on the biography of late Alhaji
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Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) and his contributions to the
development of Education in Sokoto Caliphate
Genealogy of Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan
Sokoto)
When Shaykh Usmanu Fodiyo started his da`awah activities as a
teacher and preacher he went to Gobir, Kebbi and Zamfara
inviting people to come back to the proper teaching of Islam. He
showed the detrimental effects of not practicing Islam properly.
So many people answered the call of Shehu and came to him in
multitudes in order to learn from him and spread the religion of
Allah.
One of those who answered Shehu`s call was the ancestor of the
Magajin Gari family, Haruna Jada. He was a Fulani from Alibawa
clan. He came from Zamfara along with his three sons and met
Shehu at Degel.
He paid allegiance to Shehu, but due to old age he could not stay
there with Shehu, so he left his three sons with Shehu and went
back to Zamfara. The sons were Abubakar Danjada, Sulaiman
Danjada and Yero Danjada.
Abubakar Danjada was the eldest son of Haruna Jada. He
supported Shehu and participated actively in the Jihad activities.
He was a brave warrior. It was said that wherever he or Aliyu
Jedo were present in any battle the opponents would conclude
that they could hardly succeed in defeating the Jihadists.
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After the demise of Shehu in 1817, Muhammadu Bello was
elected Amir Al-Mumineen. In the same year he appointed many
viziers with different titles among whom was Abubakar Danjada,
who was appointed as Magajin Gari of Sokoto.
Abubakar Danjada was the first person to be conferred with the
title, by Sultan Muhammadu Bello having been a shrewed
administrator and military tactician of the Caliphate.
Magajin Gari Abubakar Danjada died in Kware during the revolt of
Abdussalam. When Malam Abdussalam chose to go into war with
Sultan Muhammadu Bello, Magajin Gari Abubakar Danjada was
one of those who led the army to Kware. When the war started
Abubakar Danjada followed one of the warriors of Abdussalam in
order to kill him. The warrior was said to have fled, but when he
was certain that he could not escape from Abubakar Danjada he
threw his lance backward and it hit the horse of Abubakar
Danjada. The horse fell into the river together with the rider
(Abubakar Danjada) who died there as a martyr.
Ahmad Danbaba Marafa came from the family of Magajin Gari
Abubakar Danjada. He was the son of Malam Usman son of
Malam Abdalkadir son of Malam Mahmud son of Malam Abubakar
Danjada son of Malam Haruna Jada a Fulani from the Alibawa
clan in Zamfara.
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On his maternal side, Ahmad Danbaba Marafa was the son of
Mairamu popularly known as Daje daughter of Kofar Garo, her
father was the then Garo in the city of Sokoto.
HIS BIRTH
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba`s proper name was Ahmad Usman,
but he was popularly known as Danbaba among his relatives,
colleagues and friends alike. The knick-name [anbaba was given
to him on account of his father`s affection towards him.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) was born in the
year 1925 in Gumbi Districts the present Wamakko Local
Government of Sokoto State, when his father Malam Usman was
the Marafan Sokoto. Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan
Sokoto) hailed from scholarly and royal families from a Fulani
clan.
Below is the chain showing the genealogy of late Alhaji Ahmadu
[anbaba (Marafan Sokoto)
Malam Haruna Jada
Malam Abubakar Dan Jada
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Malam Mahmud
Malam Abdulkadir
Malam Usman
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto)
It can be seen that late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto)
was a grand son to one of Shaykh Usmanu Fodiyo`s lieutenants
Abubakar Jada (peace be upon him) and also the closest
associate to Usmanu Fodiyo.
His Upbringing and Education
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) was brought up in
his father`s house. He had his education at the Middle School,
Sokoto. He later went to institute of Administration, Zaria in the
year 1946. He left the school in 1948.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) travelled to the
United Kingdom in the year 1954 where he studied a course on
Local Government Studies. He then pursued his educational
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career in the year 1956-1957 when he obtained a Diploma in
public and social administration at Devon Technical College,
England.
In Islamic Education, late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan
Sokoto) had always surpassed his colleagues. He had his Islamic
Education from several Ulama, among them were Malam Jodi
Gidadawa and Malam Maccido, the then Chief imam of Sultan
Bello Jumu`at Mosque, Sokoto, who was the father of Malam
Bello Akwara and grand father of the present Chief Imam of
Sultan Bello Jumu`at Mosque, Sokoto.
Languages Spoken
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) spoke different
languages which included English, Arabic, and Hausa Languages.
He also studied Fulfulde language from Malam Junaidu, the late
Waziri of Sokoto.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba`s Family
Indeed whoever grows up in a scholarly and royal family in Hausa
land is expected to marry early. Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba
(Marafan Sokoto), like his contemporaries, had his first wife at
the age of twenty four (24) in the year 1949. He married Malama
Kulu daughter of Sarkin Baki from Kofar Kware in the city of
Sokoto.
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Unfortunately, his first wife Malama Kulu passed away and was
survived by only one child, who died shortly after her death.
However, after the death of Malama Kulu, her father Sarkin Baki
married her sister Malama Inno to Ahmad Danbaba and she
remained his only wife for a period of time. Later on he married
another wife A`isha the daughter of Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardaunan
Sokoto, the late premier of Northern Nigeria.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) was blessed with
eight (8) children; among whom three (3) are males and the
remaining five (5) are females. The male children of late Alhaji
Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) include late Abdulkadir,
late Hussaini and Alhaji Hassan who is the current Magajin
Gari of Sokoto, while the female are Hajia Asma`u, late
Safiyyatu, Hajia Hadizatu, Hajia Maryam and Hajia A`isha.
They were all grandsons and daughters of the late Premier.
Some of the attributes of late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba
(Marafan Sokoto)
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) can be described
as a God fearing person, very intellectual, man of Integrity,
devoted to the relatives and friends, philanthropic and desired to
promote knowledge.
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His Hobbies
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba`s hobbies include: Research,
imparting knowledge, assisting less privileged, traveling, polo
game, listening to Islamic songs and reading Islamic poems,
particularly those authored by the Caliphate leaders and their
lieutenants and students.
His close Associates
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba`s closest associates included:
Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, (Sarkin Kudun Sokoto), who
became the 19th Sultan of Sokoto, after the death of late Alhaji
Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto).
Alhaji Usman Aliyu Shagari, (Turakin Sokoto), the first elected
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Alhaji Aminu Tafida, (Tafidan Sokoto)
Alhaji Garba Jabo, (Bunun Sokoto)
Alkali Bello, (Dangaladiman Waziri) and many more.
His Intellectual Contributions to the Sokoto Caliphate
Among the eminent personalities who contributed to the revival
and development of Education in Sokoto Caliphate was late Alhaji
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Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto). He contributed immensely,
especially in supporting less privileged people and new converts
morally and financially to pursue their western and Islamic
Education. In addition, late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan
Sokoto) was the first to build his own Islamiyya school and
sponsored all its affairs. The Islamiyya was started in his house
located at Magajin Gari area, Sokoto, but due to the higher
increase of Students, late Alhaji Ahamdu [anbaba (Marafan
Sokoto) decided to build the Islamiyya at its current location, and
named it as Nizzamiyya Islamiyya. But after his death, it was
renamed in his honour Ahmadu [anbaba Marafa Nizzamiyya
Islamiyya `Yar akija, Sokoto. The Nizzamiyya was built in the
year 1957 and was commissioned by the 17th Sultan of Sokoto,
late Alhaji Sir Abubakar III. However, late Ahmadu [anbaba built
other classes at the western side of the Nizzamiyya, and named it
(Maha]ar Ilimi) and appointed Dr. Garba Nadama as the Principal
of the School. Below is the list of some of the teachers of Ahamdu
[anbaba Marafa Nizzamiyya Islamiyya `Yar akija, Sokoto.
1. Late Malam Umaru Maradun
2. Late Malam Ahmadu Sabiri
3. Professor Ibrahim A. Mukoshy
4. Dr. Garba Nadama
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5. Late Alhaji Rabi`u Bakura
6. Late Malam Sa`adu Bakura
7. Late Malam Ladan Minister
8. Late Malam Sa`idu Zaki Gidadawa
9. Late Malam Buhari yola
10.Late Malam Muhammadu Nafa]a
11.Late Malam Sani Yakasai Kano
12.Grand Kadi Maccido Butasari Alkanci
13.Ibrahim Umar Dandodo (Iyan Magaji Rafin Sokoto)
Some of the Students of Nizzamiyya Islamiyya
Below are some of the early students of Nizzamiyya Islamiyya.
1. Malam Sambo Wali Gidadawa
2. Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Sokoto
3. Alhaji Muhammad Bello Nagwari
4. Alhaji Bello Zoramawa
5. Alhaji Balarabe Muhammad Binanci
6. Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Lawan
7. Liman Ibrahim Dan Atta Hubbare
8. Hajiya Sa`adiyya Ladan Alkammawa
9. Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu Bazza
10. Professor Ibrahim A. Mukoshy
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11. Malam Abubakar Sabon Birni
12. Malam Abdu mai littafi
13. Dallatun Sokoto
14. Alhaji Bala Audi Makera
15. Malam Umaru Samaru
16. Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Alkanci
17. Malam Mode Abubakar
18. Malam Yahaya Muhammad S/Adar
19. Professor Habib Muhammad, UDUS
20. Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Nababa Umar (Wazirin Gande)
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) contributed a lot in
establishment of Arabic Teachers` College, the present Sultan
Abubakar College and transferred Dr. Garba Nadama from
(Maha]ar Ilimi) to serve as the first Principal of College.
Furthermore, late Alhaji Ahmad [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto)
constructed Ahmadu Bello Academy Farfaru, Sokoto. All these
projects were done personally under his capacity with the support
of late Sardaunan Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello for the benefit of
Ummah.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) had to his credit a
number of publications left as legacy of his scholarship. To
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mention
a
few
were
SULLAMU
AL-TAUFIQ
ILA
MAHABBATILLAHI, the book was first published in Arabic, and
he later translated it into English for the benefit of Nizzamiyya
Students. The book discussed very important issues regarding
mandatory acts on Muslims. Another Book published by late Alhaji
Ahmadu [anbaba was the Short History of the Hausa Kingdoms
and their neighbours in Hausa TAKAITACCEN TARIHIN
DAULAR KASAR HAUSA DA MAKWABTANSU, where he
discussed in detail the history of the Hausa Kingdoms and their
neighbours.
The name of late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) will
ever remain in the memories of thousands of the citizens of
Sokoto Caliphate for his kind support and encouragement towards
their educational and life careers. Among them were:
Late Dr. Omar Bello, late Professor A. A. Gwandu
Professor Ibrahim A. Mukoshy, Malam Sani Yakasai Kano, Alkali
Umaru Maradun, Malam Rabi`u Bakura, Malam Sa`adu Bakura,
Alhaji Bala Audi Makera and Shaykh Nuradden Sudan.
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His Service/Employment Career
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) served in different
capacities under the Sokoto Native Authority. He was a councilor
in charge of Police and Prisons Services and was later transferred
to the Department of Trade and Industry and held the office of
Secretary in the same capacity. Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba
(Marafan Sokoto) was appointed a member in the Local
Government reforms Committee in the year 1955. He was among
the Hajj delegates in Saudia Arabia in the year 1956-1957. And In
1964 he was appointed as Marafan Sokoto.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) served as the
Chairman of the Niger Dams Authority and Director of the Electric
Corporation of Nigeria (E.C.N) the present PHCN. Late Alhaji
Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) also served as the first
Managing Director of the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria.
He also served as Chairman of various Committees.
His Awards
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) was awarded a
Diploma in Public and Social Administration in South Devon
Technical College. He was honoured with the prestigious title of
M.B.E (Member of the British Empire) by the Queen of England.
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Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) also received the
National award of
M. F. R (Member of the Federal Republic).
Death of Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto)
Late Alhaji Ahmadu [anbaba (Marafan Sokoto) died on Sunday 1st
May, 1983 at the age 58. May his gentle soul rest in perfect
peace, Amin.
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