Ahmadu Bello University VC, Prof. Isa takes attendees down memory lane of iconic building
Rodiyat Shittu
It was a gathering of dignitaries from all walks of life over the weekend
to commemorate 50 years of the construction of Arewa House. Located in Rabah road, Kaduna, the edifice built in 1970 has since become a hub for historical, traditional, and political documentation and research for northern Nigeria.
Present at the milestone event were President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, ably represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu; former Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo; Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Kayode Fayemi, Atiku Bagudu, Badaru Abubakar of Sokoto, Ekiti, Kebbi, Jigawa respectively, and the Chief Host, Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna state. Other governors represented at the event included Abdullahi. A. Sule of Nasarawa state and Samuel Ortom of Benue state. Also in attendance were
His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, speakers and members of house of representatives, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders.
In his speech, President Muhammadu Buhari described: ‘Arewa House recreates the values and aspirations and all those good things that our various diverse cultures in this country and especially the Northern region have been known for some of which for over years seems to have been disappearing.’ Former Vice president, Arch. Namadi Arewa added that the house has become a center for national harmony and cohesion. ‘Arewa house remains one of the only centers in Nigeria that has succeeded in bringing together people from diverse ethnic and religious background to discuss issues of national importance. It has preserved our thoughts and memories of event and experiences for the last 5 decades.’ His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar remarked about the Premier of Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello that ‘in his lifetime was one who brought people together irrespective of religion and ethnic background.’
It is worthy of note that the monument was built following the recommendation of the Interim Common Service Agency (ICSA) to write the history of Northern Nigeria, especially as it concerns the Nigerian Civil War. The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabir Isa gave a brief account of how the House was conceptualized. ‘Members of the committee included notable northern patriots such as Alhaji Ali Akilu, Alhaji Liman Ciroma, Sunday Awoniyi, Yusuf Gobir, Mallam Adamu Fika and Mallam Gidado Idris. After the demise of Akilu, Liman Ciroma took over. The only surviving members of the committee are Mallam Adamu Fika and Waziri Fika.’
‘The former Governor of Northeastern state Col. Musa Usman later recommended for the transformation of the committee into a research center and the official residence of the late premier, who was chosen to serve as the official office of the center purposely to immortalize the legacies of the Premier’.
Thus Arewa House has become the custodian of northern heritage which houses cultural artefacts, photographs and books which are accessible to the public. It contains twelve satellite galleries which exhibits the culture and people of Northern Nigeria and also chronicle the life of Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto. It is presently the center for historical documentation and research of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria.
The Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, on behalf of other Northern Governors thanked the staff and members of the Arewa House for their unrelenting efforts in keeping the center.
In response, the Director of the Center Dr. Shuaibu Aliyu who gave the vote of thanks appreciated all those who were present at the occasion, especially those who have never relented in the support of the center.
There was also exhibition of some cultural artefacts, pictorial messages of the late Sardauna of Sokoto in the museum during the event.
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