Dujiman Bauchi na farko : My tributes.

The Bauchi Emirate was founded by Fula in the early 19th century in what is now Bauchi State, Nigeria, with its capital in Bauchi. The emirate came under British "protection" in the colonial era, and is now denoted a traditional state.Before the Fulani jihad the Bauchi region was inhabited by a large number of small tribes, some of whom spoke languages related to Hausa, and some of whom were Muslims. The province of Bauchi was conquered between 1809 and 1818 by Fula warriors led by one Yakubu gerawa, the son of a local ruler who had been educated at Sokoto and had studied under Usman dan Fodio.

The emirate remained under Fula rule until 1902 when a British expedition occupied the capital without fighting. The British abolished the slave trade, which had flourished until then, and appointed a new emir, who died a few months later. In 1904 the emir who had succeeded took the oath of allegiance to the British crown. Since.the creation of Bauchi State Emirate decades ago ,it has 11 Emirs including the present Emir Alh. (Dr) Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu who clinched the throne on 29th July ,2010 at the age of 40 (Allah yaja zamanin Sarki ).

The 2013 Constitution provides that traditional leaders are responsible for promoting and upholding the cultural values, traditions and heritage of their communities. As the head of the community, traditional leaders perform a number of functions linked to culture, customs and traditions. Bauchi Emirate has since it creation been a Frontliner in protecting and upholding the core values , principles and tenets of the culture and customs of the hausa/fulani in earnest . This is in brief ,the overview of the Bauchi Emirate for those who read from distance the history of one of the most reknown and respected Emirates in Northern and by extension Nigeria in general.

The emirate has decided in its wisdom to recognised the hardworking sons and daughters of the soil who has a long history of loyalty to the Emirate and has impacted so much in service to humanity and the nation in general. It has given and decorected a number of their sons in a bid to encourage them to do more to the good people of Bauchi State and the nation as a whole . Among few beneficiaries of this gesture are former Governors of the State Ahmad Mu'azu who hold the title of Walin Bauchi ,Mallam Isa Yuguda as Matawallen Bauchi ,the incumbent Governor Senator Bala Mohammed as kauran Bauchi and the immediate past speaker of the house of Representatives Rt. Yakubu Dogora as Jakadan Bauchi among to many to mention but few.

The announcement of Bashir Yakubu Lame as the first Dujiman Bauchi na farko by HRH. Alh. (Dr) Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu the Emir of Bauchi last week has kept the  print and online media too busy with images from the house of the traditional title holder receiving people from from all nooks and corners of Northern Nigeria in a solidarity visit . Many who couldn't make it on personal visit due to a number of reasons beyond their control has sent their messages via calls and sms to celebrate with the Dujiman Bauchi on what they said was long over due . The show of love to the new title holder is a clear testimony that out of many traditional titles holders we have in the entire Bauchi State Emirate Dujima is equally well celebrated and his kind nature really spoke better of him .

Bashir Yakubu Lame appointment as the first Dujiman Bauchi na farko will in no doubt play useful roles in mediating between the people and the state,enhancing national identity, resolving minor conflicts and providing an institutional safety-valve for often inadequate state bureaucracies within the Emirates. His inherited and rich experience in customs and traditions of the good people of Bauchi Emirate having been the Chief of staff to the Emirate for long and  been the grand son of late Sarkin Yakin Bauchi of blessed memory. Dujima is a traditional title given to one of the trusted and closest ally of the king to oversee and enforce punishment on those sanction by the Emir which has further attest to the outside world how confidence the Emir has on the Dujiman Bauchi na farko Bashir Yakubu Lame.

Bashir Yakubu Lame has a very rich traditional history having been born and brought up under the full supervision of the Emirate which has now after 40 years has recognized him with the title of Dujiman Bauchi na farko . He is a politician and a former aspirant in to federal house of Representatives to represent the good people of Toro federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections though he lost the Primaries that was marred by too many irregularities his people are still celebrating this young and passionate Lame .

Ranka shi dade  Mai Martaba Sarkin Bauchi Alh.(Dr). Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu ( Sarkin Yakin Daular Usmaniya ), mutanen karamar hukumar Toro musumman matasa suna matukar Godiya bisa wannan karramawa da mutuntawa. Ubangiji Allah yaja zamanin Sarki Ameen.

Sani Danaudi Mohammed (sanidanaudi@yahoo.com).
Writes from Bauchi State.